Every month I assign a different reading genre. My intention is that I will expand my students' ideas of what they love to read. In the beginning of the year I always get a little grumping from parents and students. By October or November I usually get feedback that the students have found another type of genre that they love to read. I started in September with realistic fiction. October was mystery, and November is historical fiction.
In the beginning of October I brought a bunch of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Scooby Doo, A to Z Mysteries, Calendar Club, etc. books to our circle. I did a book talk on the different types of books. Then I allowed them to select a book of mine, or one of their own. I provided time in class to read that mystery book. I was very happy to see that most loved the books!
Now that it is November, I went to the library and got about 60 Dear America books. I went through all of the titles and did the same selection procedure. One of my boys read his book 2 times this weekend. He was starting for the third time yesterday, so I dug through the pile and we found another. There are so many different subjects. He is reading the war books.
It's very fun to motivate them to read. In fact today I gave them the choice of iPad time or their realistic fiction books. Many chose the books!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Grouping Strategies
I have been trying to use different grouping strategies this year. In the years past I have used a few grouping strategies and repeated them over the year. It feels a little boring when I do pairings that the students have done before.
I have found that different grouping strategies take very little time to prepare and are motivating for the students. I also notice that the students are less likely to respond negatively when they find their partner when using these fun strategies.
One strategy that I used was an idea I found on Pinterest. I picked up 30 paint chip samples from a local paint store. I picked 2 each of 15 different colors. When I needed the students to form into working groups I had them draw a paint chip from a basket. Then along with their reading book, they traveled around the room until they found the matching color paint chip. Then they read together with their partner!
Another grouping strategy I used was the same process, but different items on the cards. I googled monster images and then printed 2 of each kind of monster. The students found their moster alike card to begin working in groups.
I continue to keep finding more ways to group students. The possibilities are endless!
I have found that different grouping strategies take very little time to prepare and are motivating for the students. I also notice that the students are less likely to respond negatively when they find their partner when using these fun strategies.
One strategy that I used was an idea I found on Pinterest. I picked up 30 paint chip samples from a local paint store. I picked 2 each of 15 different colors. When I needed the students to form into working groups I had them draw a paint chip from a basket. Then along with their reading book, they traveled around the room until they found the matching color paint chip. Then they read together with their partner!
Another grouping strategy I used was the same process, but different items on the cards. I googled monster images and then printed 2 of each kind of monster. The students found their moster alike card to begin working in groups.
I continue to keep finding more ways to group students. The possibilities are endless!
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