Have you thought about using novels with small groups, but aren’t sure where to start? It is definitely possible to do so in the primary grades! Here’s how I got started using chapter books with my second graders during my small group time. WHY USE NOVELS WITH SMALL GROUPS? My very first year of teaching, I was in… Read More
Choosing Books for Reading Groups
Choosing the right book for your reading group can be overwhelming – especially when it can be a determining factor in the engagement and success of your group. Here are 10 things I take into consideration when choosing books for reading groups. Reading Level A student’s instructional reading level is a place to start when choosing books for your… Read More
Summarizing Using the Somebody Wanted But So Then Strategy
Summarizing can be an extremely difficult skill for students. I find that when students are asked to summarize, many try to tell every event and detail from the story because they do not understand the difference between summarizing and giving a retell. When we ask students to retell, we want them to give a play-by-play of everything that happened in… Read More
10 Ways to Build Your Classroom Library
If you want to encourage a love of reading in your classroom, you will need a wide variety of books. Finding those books is not always easy and your wallet can take a big hit! Here are ten ways you can add books to your classroom library. Scholastic I did my student teaching in a first grade classroom, but… Read More
Scholastic Book Order Activities
Stop! Don’t toss those Scholastic Book Orders into the recycling bin just yet! Here are several Scholastic book order activities that will keep your students engaged in learning at the same time! BOOK SORTS In my second grade classroom, we spend a good chunk of our time on identifying the differences between fiction and nonfiction. A great way to… Read More