Showing posts with label language arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label language arts. Show all posts

Sunday

Unlocking the Power of Independent Reading: Essential Benefits for Elementary School Students

Independent Reading Time

The Importance of Independent Reading Time in Elementary Schools


In the bustling environment of an elementary school classroom, carving out time for independent reading is a challenge amidst a packed curriculum. However, the benefits of allowing students dedicated reading time cannot be overstated. Independent reading time offers many advantages, from enhancing reading proficiency and fostering a genuine love for books to building confidence, supporting differentiated learning needs, and encouraging critical thinking skills. As an experienced elementary school teacher, I know firsthand how this dedicated reading period improves academic outcomes and cultivates a lifelong appreciation for learning among students. In this blog post, I delve into the top reasons why every classroom should prioritize and embrace independent reading time as an essential part of their daily routine.



1. Improves Reading Proficiency


Independent reading allows students to practice reading on their terms, which can lead to improved fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. The more students read, the better they get at it. This self-paced practice is crucial for developing strong reading skills that are foundational to their overall academic success.


2. Fosters a Love for Reading


When students have the freedom to choose what they want to read, they are more likely to develop a love for reading. This choice empowers them and cultivates lifelong readers who enjoy books beyond what is assigned in class. This intrinsic motivation is key to developing a sustained interest in reading.


3. Builds Confidence


Independent reading allows students to explore books at their own pace and level. This helps build their confidence as they discover books they can read and understand independently. This sense of accomplishment boosts their self-esteem and encourages them to take on more challenging texts over time.


4. Supports Differentiated Learning


Every student has different reading abilities and interests. Independent reading time allows teachers to cater to these differences by providing a variety of books and materials that suit individual students' needs. This personalized approach helps ensure that all students are engaged and challenged appropriately.


5. Encourages Critical Thinking


Reading independently encourages students to think critically about what they are reading. They can make connections, ask questions, and form opinions, which enhances their overall cognitive development. These critical thinking skills are essential for success in all academic areas and in everyday life.


6. Promotes Empathy and Understanding


Through independent reading, students encounter diverse characters, settings, and perspectives. This exposure helps broaden their worldview, fosters empathy towards others, and promotes understanding of different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. These social-emotional skills are crucial for building a more inclusive and empathetic society.


7. Enhances Focus and Concentration


Regular practice of independent reading requires students to focus on a single task for an extended period. Over time, this practice improves their ability to concentrate, which can translate into improved academic performance across various subjects. This enhanced focus is a valuable skill that will benefit students throughout their educational journey and beyond.


Conclusion


By incorporating independent reading time into the classroom routine, teachers can promote literacy skills, nurture a positive attitude toward reading, and support each student's academic growth in a meaningful way. Independent reading is not just a beneficial addition to the curriculum; it is an essential component that can significantly enhance students' overall learning experience.



FAQs


1. How much independent reading time should be allocated daily in elementary schools? Ideally, 20-30 minutes of independent reading time daily can significantly benefit students' literacy skills and overall academic performance.


2. What types of books should be available for independent reading? A diverse selection of books that cater to different reading levels and interests is crucial. Include fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, and culturally diverse texts to engage all students.


3. How can teachers ensure students are engaged during independent reading time? Allowing students to choose their reading materials, providing a comfortable reading environment, and periodically discussing their reading choices can help maintain engagement.


4. Can independent reading time help struggling readers? Yes, independent reading time allows struggling readers to practice at their own pace, build confidence, and develop a positive attitude toward reading.


5. How can parents support independent reading at home? Parents can support independent reading by providing a variety of reading materials, setting aside daily reading time, and discussing books with their children to encourage a love for reading.


Add some fun reading-themed coloring pages to your day.







Wednesday

Printable Word Searches for Teachers in the Classroom

Word Searches to Print

What are the Benefits of Word Searches?


The benefits of word search puzzles are vast. They improve cognitive function, help with memory, and increase vocabulary and spelling.

  • Improve Cognitive Function: Word search puzzles require focus and concentration, helping keep the mind sharp and memory strong.
  • Increase Vocabulary: These puzzles often require looking up words in a dictionary, which can enhance vocabulary skills.
  • Enhance Spelling Skills: Students must find letters in the correct order, improving their ability to spell words correctly.
  • Provide Stress Relief: Puzzles help kids focus their minds, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.

Word Search Bundle For Teachers - CLICK HERE


How Can Teachers Incorporate Word Searches?

  • Warm-Up Activity: Use word search puzzles to get students thinking about words before starting a lesson.
  • Review Vocabulary: Have students complete word searches that include the vocabulary words being studied.
  • Review Spelling Words: Word searches help students learn to spell by finding correctly spelled words.
  • Test Review: Use word searches that include words students will see on a test for effective review.

List of Ways to Use Word Searches

  1. Morning Work
  2. Holiday Celebrations
  3. Early Finisher Activities
  4. Homework
  5. Substitute Activity
  6. Indoor Recess
  7. Introduce a Lesson
  8. Review Important Vocabulary
  9. Practice Spelling
  10. Calm Students
  11. Partner Work
  12. And Many More

Saturday

Creating Colorful Writing



Colorful Writing Idea



This is a fun activity to do at the start of the year with your kids.  It will get them thinking about the importance of writing using colorful words.  





Take a moment to check out these other bright ideas.  There are over 130 teachers participating.




Boxes Become Bookmarks

I am so glad to be participating in the Bright Ideas Hop/Link Up again this month.  Right at 150 teacher bloggers have joined up to share bright ideas that you can take back to the classroom.  Enjoy!

I thought with Earth Day right around the corner, I would share an idea that goes along with that topic; reusing items, or giving items a new purpose.  How cool are these re-purposed box bookmarks pictured below!  All you have to do is take any colorful cardboard box, such as popular cereal boxes, Little Debbie boxes, Pop Tart boxes.... use whatever durable box you want that you think will grab students' attention. Then cut the box into bookmark sized pieces.  Use your hole punch to punch a hole in the top.  Run some yarn, ribbon, or cross-stitch thread through the top to make a tassel, and there you go.....
 a box becomes a bookmark!! 
To celebrate Earth Day, why not have your students bring in the front and back of their favorite cereal box or other treat box. By doing that,  the parents will have already helped with the time consuming cutting part of trimming off the excess cardboard. You can then take the flat pieces to your paper cutter and trim the large box pieces into bookmark sized pieces.  How easy!  When you are finished, you will have hundreds of the cutest bookmarks that kids will enjoy using. 


Wednesday

Text Annotation Codes

The big push in the classroom is to get kids thinking about their reading.  They should be digging for deeper meaning. A basic yellow highlighter just doesn't do the job.  After all, most kids use a highlighter as a coloring tool, more like a paint brush in art class, rather than a tool to look for important information. Plus, kids should really be doing more than just shading over important points.  They need to be interacting with the text. They need to "read with a pencil". What better way to do that than to give them some codes to use while reading.  Interacting with text by using annotating codes can help the teacher monitor comprehension.  Codes can also help the reader stay focused and engaged; whether it be looking for important points, connecting the text to their life, asking questions, or just being aware of the 'ah ha!' moments.   In order to teach your students how to annotate while reading, you might like to use this code sheet.  I am offering it as a FREEBIE.  There is one for upper and lower elementary. Enjoy!
Click the link below.
Text Annotation Codes
Text Annotation


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Sunday

Building Fluency

Building Fluency
Fluency-  The ability to read with  speed, accuracy, and proper expression.

Building fluency is a main focus in my upper elementary classroom.  The majority of my students can say the words on the page, but reading the words with proper speed and expression takes practice.  Working on fluency carries over to other areas of reading, such as it helps to increase comprehension. As I tell my students..... to read is to understand, and if you don't understand/comprehend what you are 'saying', you aren't really reading. Building fluency is just one reading skill that is going to help them better comprehend.


We have all had kids in our classroom read aloud, whether it be whole class or in a small group, or even one on one.  As a teacher (and even as a student), we can easily recognize a child that struggles with fluency. It can typically be identified within the first few sentences of having them read aloud.  The same struggles we hear when they read aloud are most likely carrying over to their quiet independent reading.  Because of this, there needs to be some kind of activity within the classroom (or for homework) that focuses on building fluency.


 In talking to other teachers about what they do in regard to building fluency, I have come to the conclusion that many teachers assess fluency, they correct fluency, but they simply are not providing activities to build fluency. As always, time is a factor.  With that said, I wanted to share a little activity I do with my students.


I named this fluency building activity "Read It and Repeat It".  Yep, it's as simple as that!  Just practice and improve.  I don't have the kids read an entire book, but rather I assign them a Read It and Repeat It paragraph or short passage.  I actually take a suitable passage from a book, type it, and then give a copy to each student.  The passage is not long, most likely just a paragraph, but I make sure it's one that allows for expression.  It may have commas and other punctuation that kids would typically struggle with.  When I type the passage, I can fit 3-4 on a page, so that cuts down on copies. I know you could just have students read a short passage from a book they have, but for some reason, the kids get so excited about seeing what the passage is.  Having it on the small slip of paper doesn't seem so overwhelming. 


So, how does it work?  I have done the activity several ways.  I have made it a homework activity where I pass it out on Monday and they are required to practice reading it aloud each night. Then they come back and read it to the class on a Friday.  You don't even have to pick all kids to read aloud, as you can draw five names and just have those few read it aloud. I have also encouraged my students to make two recordings at home, and I even pass that suggestion on to the parents.  The students love to hear how much they improve, and when they do, they are amazed!!  You could even do this activity with just your weakest readers in the area of fluency.  You could easily pull them to the hallway and record them reading their passage.  They can practice reading it aloud to you each day in their reading group or even in the morning while all of the kids are arriving, and then record them again at the end of the week. You are sure to hear major improvements that will carry over to other reading activities.


I encourage you to give it a try!  Try it once. Do it weekly.  Add it as a bi-weekly activity.  However you do it, I feel sure you will have readers that love it and want to hear themselves improve in the area of fluency






Saturday

Free Fall Summarizing Activity

Fall Summarizing Activity


When we teach students to pull out the most important details from a text and organize those details in a meaningful way, we are teaching them to summarize.  According to a statistic I read on the West Virginia Department of Education website (taken from Marzano research), the skill of summarizing is one of the top ten most important skills taught in school.   I would say that means it's pretty important. :-)  With that said, it's not something we should just teach once and walk away from it never to return. It should be a skill we come back to time and time again. In order to do just that, I have made a fall summarizing activity sheet that can be used with any book or story.  It's a free activity and can be found in my Teachers pay Teachers store by clicking the link below. 
 
Free Fall Summarizing Activity
 
free fall summarizing activity

free fall summarizing activity
 
 
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Wednesday

Sarah, Plain and Tall Activities

I love reading the book Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan with my students. I actually have an entire class set, so we typically read and discuss it together. I have also used it with a small group, such as with non-struggling readers that may be working together while I am working with a lower level guided reading group. I like the book Sarah, Plain and Tall because of its realistic fiction and because of its plot, which I would consider a slower paced plot.  It's sort of old school, way far from today's favorites like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and such. My kids never seem real sure about the book when we start, but then they always end up loving it.  As always, I tend to create activities that go along with what I am doing in the classroom.  So, you guessed it.  I have put together a fun little activity pack to use with this wonderful book. These activities are great for holding students accountable for their reading, especially if it is independent reading. If you use interactive notebooks in your classroom, these activities are perfect.  If you don't use interactive notebooks, you can still use them.  You could have them glue the activities onto construction paper, tag board, or inside a file folder.  If you use a file folder, it will be like a lap book.  You can learn more about the activities by clicking the link below.  Enjoy!


Sarah, Plain, and Tall Interactive Notebook Activity


You might also enjoy these activities:
How the book evolved- Click HERE for audio.
Video reading of Chapter one- Click HERE for video.
Interview with Patricia MacLachlan- Click HERE for interview.
 
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teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

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Monday

Constitution Day Reading Activity

Constitution Day Reading Activity


September 17 is Constitution Day.  Did you know that if you are a public school educator then you are required by law to touch on the Constitution in your classroom? The act states..

 "all publicly funded educational institutions provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day.". 

So, with that said, I have put together an easy print and go poster that is a perfect way to help your students understand how the Constitution came about and how it affects our country today.  Because I have highlighted vocabulary, this would be a great time to discuss some of the government related terms.  For example, delegates, Articles of Confederation, and branches of government.  If you wanted to elaborate further on the Constitution, you could then do a follow-up activity or maybe show a Brainpop or other video, or maybe even do a writing activity.  Have fun sharing with your students this very important document.  Get all of the details by clicking the link below.  


Constitution Day Reading Activity

Constitution Day Reading Activity
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Tuesday

Printable Bubble Sheets

Printable Bubble Sheets


Let's face it.... I think testing is here to stay.  Along with the testing comes the infamous bubble sheet.  I have a love hate relationship with those little bubbles.  I love to use them for a quick quiz or a short assignment, but I hate to use them for standardized testing because even my fourth graders get messed up on their bubbling.  They may be bubbling in number ten when they are actually on number eight.  They've skipped two and then they are totally screwed up until the monitor/teacher catches it. Monitoring tests is a whole other topic.... is that like the worst job in the world!!  I mean, who likes to walk three miles in their classroom in complete silence while trying to focus on circles a fourth the size of a dime.  ... UGH!

You will NOT believe this part.  For our very important state testing this past year, we were told that if we were walking around during the test (you know, the one they want to eventually base our salary on), and we saw a kid get screwed up on their bubbling, we could not say anything to them.  Now, if they realized they got messed up and asked for help, we could then help them, but if we noticed they had gotten off and they didn't realize it themselves, we could not say one  damn stinking word to them.  We had to watch them bubble incorrectly all the way 'til the end.  Thank goodness all of mine caught themselves, but in the lower grades, I'm sure some didn't.  That was about the craziest rule change I had heard in a while.

Regardless, bubbling is a thing of today.  I have made some printable bubble sheets if you would like to go check them out. I included lots of different kinds, even some for beginners learning to bubble and a ticket out the door bubble sheet. 


printable bubble sheets
 Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image.




And here is another thought from me on bubbling.  :-)

Click to enlarge.  Feel free to pin.


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                      teachers pay teachers store
              For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

Thursday

FREE Independent Reading Poster

Goodness!  At the start of every year, you always have a few reluctant readers... the ones that have to be trained to read independently.  They want to do everything but read.  You know the ones I'm talking about. I call it pretend reading, and I tell my students from the beginning that I can spot pretend readers.  For example, they flip one page then three then back two.  Their eyes wander.  They squirm.  You know the drill.  Anyway, if they can just sit still and focus long enough to enjoy a book then most of the time they figure out that reading is actually fun.  I had a student last year that fell in this category and he ended up really loving reading.  His parents said he would not put books down.  They thought there was no way he was actually reading the books as fast as he was, so they started reading them too and quizzing him.  To their surprise,  he WAS reading.  They really started appreciating me at that point. :-)

Below is another one of my little posters that might work well for you in an interactive reading journal.  The focus is on independent reading.  On the day the students glue this down in their journal, you can have them do a practice independent reading session.  Then you can have them come back and respond in writing to how well they think they did with following the expectations.  You can also watch the kids and then give them some suggestions of things they may need to improve on, which they could also make note of in their journal.  This is a great list to have, especially once independent reading gets into full swing.  When you see a child not doing one of the expectations, have them take out their journal and tell you which one they are not following.

As always, I love comments, so drop me a hello in the comments section. :-)


Feel free to pin this activity.  Just hover over the image.


You may also like this book buddy chat activity.  My students love it.  Most any student loves to talk about what they have read.  Plus, this holds reluctant readers a little more accountable, as they will want to be able to become engaged in conversation.  After all, if they haven't read their book, they will have a hard time talking about it.  My students actually ask to do this activity :-)


Feel free to pin this activity.  Just hover over the image. 
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Wednesday

What is Reading?

This reading poster is another one that will work perfectly in an interactive reading journal.  For me, I would use this at the very start of the year when I am setting up my readers workshop.  You may even pose the question "What is reading" before you show the poster.  Have your students write a few sentences in their journal to answer the question and then share with a partner.  After letting a few students share their answers with the class, pass out the mini poster to glue in their interactive journal.  Discuss in detail what reading really is, and that it goes far beyond saying the words on a page.  Enjoy.

As always, I love feedback, so say hello by leaving a comment.  :-)


What is Reading
Feel free to pin this activity.  Just hover over the image.



If you teach grades 3-5, you may also like my Readers Workshop Guide.  Many people have been very happy with this product, which you can read under the feedback section.  Thanks for checking it out.

Feel free to pin this activity.  Just hover over the image.

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FREE Determine the Setting Poster

I'm on a kick making reading posters that I hope you will find helpful in your classroom.  This is the third one, and it is on the skill of determining the setting of a story.  The smaller version will work great for interactive reading journals.  Enjoy!

As always, I love to hear from you.  Drop me a comment.  :-)

 

Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image.


You may also like this activity. 
 Students will write their own fictional story and will need to develop a setting for the story.


Narrative Writing Story Mini Book

Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image. 
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Tuesday

FREE Describing a Character Poster

This is the second in a series of posters I am making and giving away for FREE.  They are perfect for students to glue into their interactive reading journals.  It can help when reading stories or writing stories. On this poster, the definition of a character is presented, and then suggestions of things kids should think about are also included.  I hope you enjoy, and please do share with your friends and co-workers.

And, as always.... leave me some love.  I love comments. :-)


Feel free to pin by hovering over the image.

You might also like this activity on characters.

Character Traits Activity
Feel free to pin by hovering over the image.
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Monday

FREE Making Inferences Poster

Inferring can be so hard for kids to grasp. Here's a  cute poster to use to introduce it to your students.  I have also included a smaller version.  The small inferencing poster would be great to glue into an interactive reading journal.  It is made in color, but it prints out fine in black and white.  Enjoy.

P.S.  I always love it when people leave me a comment. :-)


Feel free to PIN by hovering over image.


You may also enjoy this lesson on determining theme, a skill that uses inferencing. 

Common Adages Lesson

 Feel free to PIN by hovering over image.

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teachers pay teachers store
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Sunday

Words and Phrases Alluding to Mythology

Mythology Activity


If you are like me, that is exactly what you thought when you read this new common core objective:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).

If one thing is for sure, I could not stand mythology when I was in school, so the thought of me having to teach anything related to it just freaked me out.   Plus, when I went searching for material related to this common core objective, there was absolutely nothing to be found.  Don't you hate it when we get objectives to teach and yet there are not really any lessons prepared to help us out.  I mean, I know we are capable of designing lessons, but sometimes it just makes things difficult.  As in the case of this mythology lesson, I won't kid around, I had to read and search to find the descriptions of these characters from mythology. It took me some time, but I hope you like the finished product.  

This mythology lesson does not really teach mythology itself.  It really focuses on the basics of the common core objective listed above.  I put together some mythological character descriptions to help kids understand that these characters have traits based on their actions in the stories from mythology.  I then put together some common phrases used in today's time that might pop up in literature that make reference to these character traits, such as "opened Pandora's box".  When students see these phrases, they will have a better understanding of the fact that they allude to the characters found in mythology.  In addition, there is a little illustration activity where students take products from today's time and see how these product names actually originated from mythology.  A few examples, are Trident gum and Amazon.com.  

I hope your kids have fun with this lesson.  

Click the link below to find out more info. or to purchase this lesson.





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Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.
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teachers pay teachers store
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Friday

Adjective and Setting Activities

Adjective Activities and Setting, too

This past week, I sort of combined my reading skill of setting with my grammar skill of adjectives. In doing so, we discussed that in order for the reader to be able to visualize (with chapter books in particular) the setting of the story, the author has to use very descriptive language.... aka, adjectives I thought I would share just a few of the activities we did.

For starters, I read this book to the class:


Before I read the book to the class, I explained to them that I was able to make a connection to the setting of this book because my twenty month old's toys are taking over my house.  This is a really cute book, and my fourth graders loved hearing it as a teacher read aloud.  It uses many descriptive phrases to show how the toys are taking over Spencer's house.  It is common practice in my classroom for me to use picture books to introduce and teach skills, and this one worked well for setting and adjectives

As one of our writing activities, I had them do a snow globe setting write-up.  Basically, they had to create a description of what their own 'winter wonderland' would be like. If I stepped into their snow globe setting, what would I see? After they did their creative descriptive writing, they were able to make a snow globe.  I simply traced the circles onto white construction paper and then cut black construction paper for the base.  Here they are displayed outside my classroom.


A third activity we did this past week is one I sell in my Teachers Pay Teacher's store. It's called Ooey Gooey Chocolatey Adjectives Activity. With this activity, the students will write adjectives to describe a chocolate bar, marshmallows, and a graham cracker.  On the skill sheet, they write down descriptive words related to all five sense.  Believe it or not, they see these foods all the time, but coming up with descriptive language is quite challenging. 






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Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.
We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.


teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

If you are a teacher and you like what you see, please visit often.