You are too cute. :) I don't always feel so awesome, but I always work hard and appreciate you motivating me to keep on keepin' on.
So here are your questions answered:
1. The thinking stems are adapted from Tanny McGregor's book on tangible comprehension strategies. It's worth purchasing. More than a few teachers have purchased this book in my school after I showed it to them.
2. Yes. This requires a schedule that goes over the min. 90 minutes literacy block, but we follow reader's and writer's workshop with the following schedule following after that:
5-10 minutes for spelling (see other post for a day-by-day schedule)
5-10 minutes for author's/writer's share time
20 minutes for literacy rotations
The literacy rotations include:
~Reading partners (read to a leveled guided reading book to a partner)
~Guided reading
~One skill based practice such as Scholastic's Reading Skills Kit (students check their own work)
~Computer reading sites (such as Into a Book)
~Free reading or writing...although this week I had students meet together to create anchor charts on their guided reading book read.
This seems to be a good balance of independent reading and collaborating/talking with others. We also have book club meetings that meet at lunch time. This is VERY popular and allows more time to talk about books each week.
I hope that helps...thank you for being a loyal reader and follower of the blog. I appreciate your kind words.
Hey Laura,
You are too cute. :) I don't always feel so awesome, but I always work hard and appreciate you motivating me to keep on keepin' on.
So here are your questions answered:
1. The thinking stems are adapted from Tanny McGregor's book on tangible comprehension strategies. It's worth purchasing. More than a few teachers have purchased this book in my school after I showed it to them.
2. Yes. This requires a schedule that goes over the min. 90 minutes literacy block, but we follow reader's and writer's workshop with the following schedule following after that:
5-10 minutes for spelling (see other post for a day-by-day schedule)
5-10 minutes for author's/writer's share time
20 minutes for literacy rotations
The literacy rotations include:
~Reading partners (read to a leveled guided reading book to a partner)
~Guided reading
~One skill based practice such as Scholastic's Reading Skills Kit (students check their own work)
~Computer reading sites (such as Into a Book)
~Free reading or writing...although this week I had students meet together to create anchor charts on their guided reading book read.
This seems to be a good balance of independent reading and collaborating/talking with others. We also have book club meetings that meet at lunch time. This is VERY popular and allows more time to talk about books each week.
I hope that helps...thank you for being a loyal reader and follower of the blog. I appreciate your kind words.
Angela