Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

Teaching with Heart and Creativity

Riveting Reading Instruction

Hmmmm….at this time of the year I wonder how riveting my instruction is?

  I am going to be vulnerable and share some areas during my reading block that aren’t so successful in the hopes that we can iron out these problems.  I always love getting a new idea or a solution to a problem.  So here goes…

 Although we are entering the final quarter of the year, this is when I need to kick things up and make it all it can be!  There is some serious growth to be had!!!

 I feel as thought I can structure things just fine.  But during that structured time was my instruction pushing every kids as far as needed?

  Here’s a peek at what is working.  (and maybe some things that weren’t!)

Just like with parent teacher conferences I am going to start with the positives.  

What’s Working:

QUIET PHONES ARE TERRIFIC!
I have small groups of 4 or less.  I usually make them wear quiet phones which are broken headphones to help them focus in on their own reading while not listening to the friend next to them.
They now automatically go get them because they enjoy that muted quiet time!  (I wonder if I can pull off wearing them!!!) WHAT?! SORRY CAN’T HEAR YOU…QUIET TIME FOR TEACHER…

Another Success:

WORD WORK IS STILL EXCITING FOR THEM!
I have 10 activities at word work that they can choose from at any given time.  I keep them in a bucket.  I switch them out like I do with math tubs.  When things have been played and used, I put them away so they do not become ignored and lose their value.
This is a picture of my word work area all cleaned out and ready to be added to.  This was from the new year.  I haven’t taken a more recent picture of this area.  The paper from my mailbox station and it is not a part of word work.  It is part of workstations.  Confused?  Sorry!

COMPUTER ROTATION NOT LOSING STEAM!
Reading Eggs on computer has been EGGcellent this year.  I do not pay for this thankfully, but if youhave any decision making power at your school and you are looking for something to have your students do during guided reading, this program has held their interest all year.  I have some that have graduated into the Reading Eggspress program which is the following step.   Last year by this time my students didn’t want to go to their rotation on the computers because they were not as interested in the program we were using.
 

 Reading to self and reading to a partner has been very successful this year.  Students are allowed 6 books in their boxes.  Some come from me at the table. (leveled readers) and some come from their own interest in our classroom library.  They gravitate towards what they can read successfully.

Now what hasn’t been so successful?

PROBLEM AREAS FOR ME

I realized that some students were doing some word work centers incorrectly….

In order to fix this problem I introduced some more difficult word work  in our small group.  I targeted my struggling kids and let them play these games a time or two right before we dove into our regular small group lesson.  
Now when I introduce the activities to the rest of the class those struggling kids now feel like my experts and can help.  I also began pairing them with a student that was  capable instead of letting them only work alone.
ANOTHER PROBLEM!
Checking their journals to find that they have copied entire books or written love notes to teacher and mom day after day… 
 
My Fix:
I had them bring their journals to small group with them.  We now have activities that they do and glue into their writing books.  They may also write, but it cuts down on the wasted and frivolous use of their writing journals.   We go on searches for chunks, sight words, and sometimes do some spelling chains in our journals together for a few minutes of our small group time.  Sometimes this takes the place of our entire small group lesson, but it is great to know that they have had a meaningful lesson on an area that they were struggling with.  I think it is ok to sometimes let the needs replace your perfect plans.  It can be hard to let it go, but I am learning.

 We also glue our sight words of the week in there and students have now started reading their journals because they are full of words they already know.

Another Problem
They miss the same sight words over and over and over and over again!!!!

 I now keep track of each student and their sight words.  I keep a percentage and send home every two weeks or once a month for my more capable students.  It only takes a second of time to have them read through the list and I can quickly tell if they are retaining the words we practice or if they aren’t progressing.  This has been major this year, because my little struggling group now wants to rock this little test and always bring me their sight word flash cards to practice.  They want to get every check in every box.  I love it!  Plus parents have gotten more interested in helping them and I now see progress at home too!

Another Problem:
My high kids are not getting enough meaningful instruction from me at their level.

Solution:
Independent contracts! {It just sounds important doesn’t it?}
I have my high group come to me and we check in.  I see what books they are currently reading.  We check up on their sight words. (we are upwards of third and fourth grade lists right now)  Then I give them their contract for the week.  They will choose a book from their book box and use it to complete the activities in their little packet.  These activities are phonics search and finds like vowel teams, parts of speech, and reading response pages.  They are so proud when they come to me with their finished packet.

I took what has been successful for me this year and put it all into a bundled reading packet for you.  It is 6 different units all bundled together.

 Normally I share my visual plans on Sunday, but I will not be sharing them this week because I am off for Spring Break.  Click {Here}to see what we do for St. Patrick’s Day.
Have a great week!

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    Comments

    2. I wish I could meet you in real life so I could give you a big hug. I just adore your honesty and humor when you blog about your amazing work. I know we're a few grade levels apart, but I'm definitely looking at what works and what doesn't work right now along with you…seems to be this time of year when that really happens. Thanks Reagan, I always read your posts with a smile on my face (thus looking strange to whoever is sitting near me in the room but I don't mind!!)

      Reply

    3. We really enjoyed reading your thoughtful reflections on reading instruction in your classroom! You're right…now is the time of the year to dig in and help our kiddos grow as much as they can! This has given us much to think about as we consider reflecting on our own classrooms. Thanks for sharing this!

      🙂 Tamra and Sarah
      First Grade Buddies

      Reply

    4. I appreciate your honesty and reflection! I also struggle to meet the needs of my higher students, especially when there are only 1 or 2. I teach kindergarten, and students are frequently at many different levels, but I'm thinking of those kids who are well above their peers. Integrating technology has helped me here. They get to use "special apps" or complete projects on our iPads then teach others how to use the program. I just started really using the iPads for this purpose this year, and it been helpful. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

      Amanda
      A Very Curious Class

      Reply

    5. I am a dedicated follower of yours and this post hit home for me. First let me say that my students and I love your sight word sticks! Those were a hit and still are. I understand when you said that some of your students weren't completing their word work accurately. That happened to me this year as well. For my students who are behind/ struggling with current concepts they have a special word work tub of their own, that meets their needs and work that are able to be successful. At first I was a little hesitant and thought they would feel inadequate or others may question, but to my surprise no said anything and they thought they were extra special to have their own tub. Those students are actually happy because they are able to be independent and they still have a choice of different activities at their level.

      Reply

    6. I am a dedicated follower of yours and this post hit home for me. First let me say that my students and I love your sight word sticks! Those were a hit and still are. I understand when you said that some of your students weren't completing their word work accurately. That happened to me this year as well. For my students who are behind/ struggling with current concepts they have a special word work tub of their own, that meets their needs and work that are able to be successful. At first I was a little hesitant and thought they would feel inadequate or others may question, but to my surprise no said anything and they thought they were extra special to have their own tub. Those students are actually happy because they are able to be independent and they still have a choice of different activities at their level.

      Reply

    9. We are using reading eggs, too! It's so much better than the program we had last year. No one ever chose it when it was computer free choice and it took forever to 'level-up'. I have some kiddos that have moved on to higher component.

      I also loved your fixes. I found that until I held them more accountable for their writing they would slack…and one girl told me that she loved her dog or dad or mom or cat every day! Lol

      You Might Be a First Grader…

      Reply

    12. What a fantastic post, Reagan! If I was in your class, I would be that little girl who is sitting in your comfy chair and her feet up reading a book! You are such an AMAZING teacher!!

      Reply

    13. Reagan, you are a fabulous teacher! And by the end of the year, everything will settle into place just as it should. I too have students reading way above grade level and the packets are becoming boring to them. I cringe at the thought of what to do next. Perhaps research on the computer? I hope we can keep in touch of what is working and what is not so hopefully we can have that lightbulb moment where it all comes together!
      There is still time left!
      Julie

      Reply

    15. Hi Reagan! I have been reading your blog for what feels like forever, but rarely have commented. I have lots of your wonderful classroom materials. I may have referred to you as "my friend Reagan" once or twice…not in a creepy way, just a friendly way! I have recently entered to TPT and blogging world. I am super new….like a little bird out of the nest!
      Deirdre
      http://www.aburstoffirst.blogspot.com/

      Reply

    16. Fantastic post! What a wonderful idea to bundle up all of these amazng products! Thanks for making my year just a little bit easier. 🙂

      Reply

    17. Reagan,
      I LOVE your I'm a Sight Word Star packet. Two of my struggling readers love making the book with the stars. Thanks for all of your hard work!
      I was wondering you would be willing to share your Independent Contracts? I teach first grade and I have 3 students on a level Q and 2 on a level S. I am struggling with how and what to teach them. The contract sounds like a great idea! Thanks for a great blog with quality products on TPT! Thanks!

      Lori
      lmefford@mcps.org

      Reply

    18. I love how you are willing to honestly reflect on both what's working and what's not. My kids are older than yours, so I don't think this pack will quite fit my needs, but I still loved reading this post for ideas and you have definitely got me thinking! Thank you! 🙂

      Jenny
      Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

      Reply

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