Reader's, Writer's, and Spelling Binders

Hi everyone! I know I've mentioned the student binders I've been working on in the past. Well, I finally got one set put together yesterday!

And I'm linking up with my fabulous friend Tara for her famous...

So. I am trying something a bit different this year and I'm using two binders.

One will be for our Reader's and Writer's Workshops, plus Spelling...

(Math, Science, and Social Studies will be in a separate binder...I won't be introducing those to my class until the second week of school, so more on that soon!)

Back to these binders! So, last year, I had a Reader's and Writer's Workshop binder and I really loved it. It was the perfect place to store Reader's Responses, anchor charts we created together, graphic organizers, etc.

I wanted to add Spelling to the mix as well, since there is so much overlap among the three subjects.

I also divided three subjects among two binders so I could have more sections! One thing I learned from last year was the more sections I had set up, the easier it was for my students to really organize their resources. And here are the sections...

For Reader's Workshop we have the following tabs:

• Reader's  For notes, anchor charts, anything from our mini-lessons.
• Responses  For our Reader's Response questions.
• Records  To keep track of books read in class.

For Writer's Workshop, we have two sections:

• Writer's  For notes, anchor charts, anything from our mini-lessons.
• Notebook For student writing pieces. I like the idea of having an actual notebook in Writer's Workshop, but I also use a TON of graphic organizers, so I ultimately prefer the binder setup.

And for Spelling:

• Spelling  For notes and spelling work for the week.
• List To store and keep track of our spelling list. I've grown weary of lost lists each week!!
• Resources This section is the very last one for a reason. As I mentioned last evening, I'm looking to store word features and patterns discussed during spelling, so that student can utilize them with their writing. I'm hoping to add not only spelling resources, but also Reader's and Writer's Workshop resources for the students in this back section.

I have a lot more to share about these binders, but it's kind of hard without seeing them without the actual work inside them! So I will definitely be blogging more about them once school has begun.

Oooo...one more thing! I also have gotten a (tiny) bit carried away with the numbering system this year, thanks to Tara and Teri! I can't stop numbering things!! It has made getting my room ready SO much easier this summer.

I even numbered these binder covers, 'cause I like how it looks with the design. Plus I don't have to wait for a final class list. If you would like to download a set, please click on the image below:

Do you use binders with your class? Or notebooks or folders? Or a combination of them? I would love to read about your favorite set up!

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Word Pattern Playlists and some news

Hi guys! I'm stopping by to share a free file this evening and I really hope it's something you can use! 

So. I've been working on my students' binders (more to come on those, very soon). But I had to stop, middle of binder-setup, to work on this...

(The awesome clipart is designed by the fabulous Ginger, from Ginger Snaps!).

I know I've shared a bunch of different word-collection resources in the past...Word Detectives, Word Wizards, Word Rock...

(Ok, now I feel kind of boring looking at my file names!)

These have all worked well for my students over the years, but I wanted something a bit different than a book this year...since we'll be storing these words in our binders. I also wanted something that would be appealing to my 5th grade class.

Oh yes, that's the news I had to share with you.

So...you know how I work with ELL newcomers in a magnet class? And I teach a 4th/5th grade multi-age? Well, things are going to be a bit different this year!

I will be teaching a 5th grade class that is half newcomer ELL students, half mainstream 5th graders (I'm certified in both areas and have taught mainstream 5th in the past). As my good friend and colleague said, it's kind of an international class (are you reading this Louise???). 

I'm beyond excited about it and have been prepping things like a madwoman all week. Hence the lack of blogging.

Ok, back to the file.

It could be used with younger grades, like so...

...with students writing a basic spelling pattern and list of words with this pattern.

And with older students in this fashion...

....with students focusing on a sound and its variations in spelling, then categorizing the words.

We will store these sheets in the Reference section of our binders and I'm hoping they will be used as a resource during Writer's Workshop, in addition to our spelling lessons.

If you would like to download this file, please click here: Word Pattern Playlists.

 

I know that so many of my bloggy friends are back at school and I hope it is going well!! Our students start back on Wednesday, eek! I look forward  to catching up with you soon :)

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Giveaway Winners...

 Hi guys! I am officially back home and ready to catch up on my blog reading...I can't wait to read them all over coffee tomorrow morning! :)

I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who entered the Mini Lesson Materials giveaway...not just for entering but for the extremely thoughtful comments. I am so moved by your kind words--thank you!

I used the good old number generator and came up with the three names...

Number 72...

Number 139...

and Number 145...

I am emailing those right now! 

Thanks again to everyone!!! I will be back soon with some free files to share :)

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Mini Lesson Materials: Reading Genres

Hi everyone! I am both really excited and really nervous about this! I've just finished making my first-ever big packet for my shops. It's part of a new series I am making for my class...Mini Lesson Materials.

This all came about because, though I thoroughly enjoy the lessons in our Reader's Workshop model, there really aren't any tangibles for the students. Last year was our first year with this model and I found myself scrambling to make graphic organizers and visuals to go with the various mini lessons. And I just feel this is so key...not only for my newcomer English Language Learners, but for many students who thrive on these kinds of supports.

So I decided to map out what I always create for my students in our Reader's Workshop...and what I would need prepared ahead of time to make my mini lessons more concrete and effective for my students.

I started with Reading Genres, since this is one of the first things we touch upon each year with our upper-elementary students.

This packet is intended for students to build upon and expand their knowledge of reading genres, utilizing the following resources:

• Colorful graphic organizers

I like to project these on the whiteboard when filling out the charts with my students. They can also be printed out for bulletin board displays.

• Grayscale graphic organizers

For students to complete within a mini lesson as a whole group, small group, or individually. We'll be keeping these in our Reading Binders.

• Reader's Responses (to various genres)

This is probably the most important part of Reader's Workshop in my class. We do a ton of whole-group practice with various responses, as well as constant individual student responses. 

These questions are designed to get students thinking about specific genres, make connections to their lives, and think beyond the text. There are 13 Reader's Response questions in this packet...a question for each specific genre plus two response questions for genre in general.

• Signs for Anchor Charts

This one I'm wicked excited about...especially as a fifth grade teacher who is not too artistic with her anchor charts!!! The packet includes titles for each genre, to cut out and tape right to your anchor charts. The signs are designed to pop against the chart paper, while allowing the colored markers you use to stand out nicely.

• A Genre Search

A little twist on the usual genre search and sort we do in class...available in grayscale too :)

• Comparisons of Commonalities

I'd like to get my students thinking about genres that are very similar--how they are alike and what exactly defines them a specific genre. Each of these are available in grayscale as well, for photocopying purposes.

And that's it! 

I have uploaded the file to both of my shops and it is listed as $5.00 (these buttons will take you directly to the packet)...

And I would love to give away a few copies! If you would like to enter for a chance to win a free packet, please do the following:

Leave one comment below with your email--that's all! 

I will use a random number generator to choose three names and announce them on the blog tomorrow. 

Thanks so much for reading!! I look forward to catching up with everyone when I get back home from vacation! :)

Clipart Courtesy of Maree Truelove
Graphics by Miss Tiina at www.misstiina.com

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Editable lined paper for CRAFT Board

Hi everyone! Well, my sister and I are away on vacation and it's been lovely. Of course we brought our laptops like good little bloggers (but both promising not to work too much!). 

I'm sure you've heard of Couch to 5K...well today it was our "Blogging to Mountain top" day! As in hiking and man, are we tired! I guess we've been on our computers a bit too much lately...

Anyhow, back to the teacherly things. I wanted to drop by and share the editable lined paper to coordinate with the CRAFT Board. 

This is available in a Powerpoint file. All you will need to do is click on the Text Box feature...

Then just type your strategies right over the lines... 

This will allow you to customize the strategies and match them up with the board.

If you would like to download the file, please click on the green link below...

Editable Lined Paper

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Tutorial: Creating a link to your blog on TpT

Hi everyone! I had a request from a very sweet reader to make a tutorial about a direct link to your blog, from your TpT profile. It's a pretty quick process and it can be added into the "Personal Quote" section on TpT. Here are the steps...

1. Edit your profile and head to the Personal Quote section...

2. Type in the quote/message you would like, then type the following code:

3. Once you save this code in your profile, it will appear as a live link on your store front page in TpT...

And that's it! I know a lot of seasoned TpT sellers know how to do this, but I hope it can be of some help to anyone new starting out (like me!). Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

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Tutorial: Organizing fonts on a Mac

Hi again everyone! I'm back for a second time to share a quick little tutorial. Before I do that, I want to say a huge thanks to all of the lovely bloggers who stopped by to visit my sister's new blog--you are the best!!!

So, this is something I've been asked about a few times and I'm hoping it will be of some help to some of the other font-crazed teachers out there!

It's actually very easy to create a new folder to organize your fonts on a Mac...here are the steps:

1. Install a new font (or just head to your Font Book):

2. To the left, you will see a menu of previously made folders for fonts. At the very bottom, in the gray bar, you will see a plus sign:

3. Click on the plus sign and create a name for your new folder (called a Collection here):

4. Once you name this new collection, click and drag any fonts from the right to your new folder. I called mine "Design Fonts" and head to this folder always when making a printable...it saves me tons of time (instead of scrolling through endless fonts I don't really use!):

I'm sorry I don't have this information for PC users--does anyone have advice to share in that regard? I'd love to hear it if so! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy your evening!

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My baby sis has a blog!

Well, I have to tell you, it took a loooong time of me pleading and trying to convince my sister to start a blog. You know, my contact-papering, co-classroom-decorating, bff sister? 

Well, now she finally has one and I am so proud of her!

She's adores fashion (in case you couldn't guess by the blog name!) and teaching. If you have a chance, I know she would LOVE to meet you--she knows so many of you already from my endless blog talk! 

If you'd like to say hello, the link to her blog is below...

Thanks for stopping by...I may be cheating and posting again later this evening--you'll let it slide this one time right?? I have a little tutorial to share :)

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Back to School Sales!

All of this season's decor is now on sale at Teachers Notebook for 30% off...all those Flipped Signs and Bright & Clear Decor!

These decor lines are also currently 20% off at TpT but, starting tomorrow, you can use the code "BTS12" while checking out to save an additional 10%. 

Both sales will run through August 13th!

I'll be back soon with some new tutorials...  :)

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An updated free file and a new store!

Happy Friday!! I'm sharing an updated free file this evening. I've had some very nice requests to add some additional numbers to the files I shared in my Reading Drawers post. After reading how large some of the class sizes are, how I could I say no?? So, I hope these can be of use to some of you.

This file is now updated in my Teachers Notebook Shop and...

also in my new TpT store! I followed the advice of a very esteemed blog friend and opened one earlier this week. It's slowly gaining printables and this file was my first freebie shared in the store! 

These buttons will take you directly to the file, for easy downloading...

Thank you for stopping by! :)

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Must-Haves for Reader's & Writer's Workshop!

Hi! I am linking up with Lindsay from My Life as a Third Grade Teacher for her first linky party (and it's a good one!)...

This is something I love to think about--and talk about! And make things for! 

Here are some of the most important materials I need for my students in both workshops... 

A classroom library featuring a wide selection of reading.

Since I teach newcomer ELL students in grades 4 and 5, I really need a variety of texts to reach all learners in my classroom...from those just learning to read for the first time to the students reading closer to grade level.

I like to have several different options for my students. So we have a leveled section, a genre section, and a section of books sorted by subject (nonfiction topics, such as "marine life" and "sports").

Storage for Reading Materials

I know I just talked about our Reading Drawers the other day, so I won't go on about them again. I'm really looking forward to using them this year!

 

 Reading Strategies on Display

Long before I was working with an actual Reader's Workshop model, I was reading and practicing away at the wonderful strategies in The CAFE Book. Since then, I've been tweaking and adapting it a bit to fit the needs of my students and to work within our Reader's Workshop. Having those reading strategies visible makes such a difference!

 

Space for Anchor Charts

 

Ok, it would probably make more sense to say the anchor charts themselves, but I don't have any yet since school hasn't started. I save a huge bulletin board space in my classroom for our anchor charts (this goes for Writer's Workshop as well).

 

Comfortable Reading Nooks

I was really fortunate to have received a huge carpet featuring the flags of the world from Donors Choose. It is the center of the classroom and a favorite place to read.

I also like to have a couple of small carpets and pillows in different areas, so the students can have space throughout the room when reading independently.

(Those pillows have pretty much had it but I am in love with my new brightly-colored chevron carpets!!! Thanks Alisha and Ginger!!)

Reader's and Writer's Binders

We use these binders are for our Reader's Responses, writing pieces, reading logs, graphic organizers, and more. For me, these are some of the most important tools for both workshops.

I'm in the process of setting these up as we speak (well, we're not really talking but you know what I mean!). Last year, I used separate binders for the two workshops, but I am merging them into one binder for this year's class.

I'm working on some additional sections for them this year--more to come on that later! 

And that's about it! What are some of your must-haves for Reader's and Writer's Workshop? Thanks Lindsay, for a wonderful linky party!!

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