I am currently thinking about how I want to set up my language arts classroom next year. After reading The Book Whisperer I really want to change the way I teach to better benefit my students. I will be hosting a book discussion on The Book Whisperer tonight at 8 p.m. EST. If you've read it or haven't and are interested in how you can change your language arts class then join us on my blog tonight for a live chat.
I'm also thinking about some good summer reads for myself that have absolutely nothing to do with teaching. I need to take a break sometimes! Any suggestions?
I also wanted to participate in Throwback Thursday!
During my undergraduate reading course I was required to read a few chapters from the book "In the Middle" by Nancy Atwell. I'm now reading the textbook over again to see what I can learn about teaching middle school language arts. What I've taken from the book so far:
1) An idea to introduce students to the classroom is to provide a scavenger hunt of classroom supplies instead of just pointing them all out to them.
2) Require students to write a letter to me at least once a week about what they are reading and then reply back to them. I will be making sure that each student has a one subject notebook for this purpose.
3) Nancy Atwell structure her daily schedule to include a writing workshop and a reading workshop everyday. I most likely won't have the time for both but I do like the idea of having word work as a bellringer, followed by a mini-lesson and then either a reading or writing workshop which I can alternate each day. I also like how she emphasizes the importance of read alouds which I think I will end each day with.
4) "In the Middle" offers many ideas for topics for mini-lessons. Some suggestions for the beginning of year include:
-Expectations for writing or reading
-Conferring with peers: where, when, how
-How to use an editing checklist for writing
-Classroom literary resources
-Procedures for booktalks
-Setting goals for reading and writing
Recap on Thinking About Thursday Linkup
1) Make a blog post about what you are pondering. It can be about anything that you want people to give you advice about.
2) Add my Thinking about Thursday button to your blog post.
3) Add your blogpost to this post
4) Visit at least two blogs before yours and comment on them.
Have a great Thursday and happy linking!
I loved The Book Whisperer! I read it last summer along with my 4th grade team and it really changed all of us. Your linky party sounds very cool. I'll have to remember that for next week!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings
I like the idea of your students writing you a letter. My fifth grade teacher had us write to her in our reading journals and I remember enjoying her responses. :) I wonder if I could adapt that for my little people? I may have to try it!
ReplyDeleteI read In the Middle a couple of years ago, and she influenced the way I teach reading a lot. I had students use journals this year - the give and take of their writing and my responding was fun, although three classes worth of journals (one class was due on Tues., one on Wed., and one on Thursday) was a lot each week! But it was good. This year I think I'm going to have individual meeting with my kids instead. Not sure about journals.
ReplyDeleteHow did the chat on Book Whisperer go? I wasn't feeling well and fell asleep on the couch. I'm sorry I missed it!
Marion
MentoringintheMiddle