© The 2 Sisters Boushey & Moser
Read to Self
The best way to become a better reader is by practicing each day with books the students choose and are a "Good Fit".
Word work
Expanded vocabulary and correct spelling allow for more fluent reading and writing thus speeding up the ability to comprehend what is read and get thinking down on paper.
Writing
Just like reading, the best way to become a better writer is by practicing writing each day
Read to Someone
Partner reading allows students more time to practice strategies, helping to build fluency, check for understanding, hear their own voice, and time to share in this learning community.
One partner holds a check mark. This helps them to remember their job of listening and retelling what their partner has read. Then they switch rolls.
Listening
Hearing good examples of literature and fluent reading expands your vocabulary, builds stamina and helps you become a better reader.
Book Boxes
Each student in my room has a sturdy book box. Their book box contains "Good Fit Books", on level books.
Three Ways to Read a Book
1. Read the pictures
2. Read the words
3. Retell the story
Check for Understanding
This is a comprehension strategy that teaches children to stop
frequently and check, or monitor, if they understand what they are
reading.
Parents
Many parents are amazed to hear their child speak about building "stamina". It's not a typical word you hear third graders say! When we begin teaching The Daily 5 parts, the first time we model, instruct, and demonstrate how to do this skill, the students start on their own for 3 minutes.
Every day we add one minute, eventually building their stamina to 30 minutes. Some days we may only get to do 20-30 minutes depending on special activities, assemblies, or holiday events. The students "build stamina" for each of the Daily 5 parts
Every day we add one minute, eventually building their stamina to 30 minutes. Some days we may only get to do 20-30 minutes depending on special activities, assemblies, or holiday events. The students "build stamina" for each of the Daily 5 parts
Teachers Role
Refining takes place during the launching phase, preparing the foundation for a year of meaningful content and instruction tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. After weeks and months of modeling, practicing, and building stamina for each Daily 5 part, the students become very independent and are on "automatic pilot". They know these routines, they look forward to them each day.
This automaticity allows the teacher to work with students one on one, in Skills
Groups, or Guided Reading. The teacher can give assessments such as DRA's
(Developmental Reading Assessment). Teachers can confer with students
individually to discuss how they are developing as readers and
writers.
What is a Novel Study?
Simply put, a novel study is a group of comprehension
questions, short essay questions and critical thinking questions created by the teacher for the students on a specific book. After the questions are created, students can either read the chapter books on their own and answer the questions, or may create a time in class when the chapter is read aloud by the teacher and/or
students, and the questions answered in a group discussion. The teacher may also create activities for students to complete after every couple of chapters, depending on the time and inclination.