Thursday Thoughts March 17
This is the time of year that I refer to as March Madness. No I am not talking about the political primaries or the NCAA Tournament (although I am sure you are working on your brackets). However, I am referring to this time period in school leading up to Spring Break. Student misbehavior increases, parents are uncertain about testing and staff members are tired, thus a little less tolerant. I get it. We have two weeks until Spring Break and then approximately six weeks or so until the end of the year. It's crunch time and the pressure is on. As we embark on testing, school close out and of course the big summer renovation, let's be purposeful in making sure that we finish strong. We will have to pack extra patience and positivity to make it. But we WILL make it. In the end, this school year will be a slam dunk (corny, I know).
Staff Spotlight
This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Jennifer Birkmeyer. This is just Jennifer's second year teaching and it is her first year teaching 1st grade. She works hard to meet the needs of each of her students. She seeks advice on how to help her struggling learners and is willing to try anything to help them succeed. I have participated in SST meetings for her students and she always comes to the meetings with current data, "glows and grows" and work samples. Parents have commented on how much they appreciate what she does to help their child improve. And I would be remiss if I did not commend Jennifer on her attendance. To date, Jennifer has only taken one sick day in her two years at Medlock. If my memory serves me correctly, that was a day that she became ill at work and had to go home. To say that Jennifer is committed to her students and our school is an understatement. Jennifer, we thank you for the dedication and care that you take with each of your students. Now be sure to take a day off for yourself!
Personalized Learning
This is the time of year that I refer to as March Madness. No I am not talking about the political primaries or the NCAA Tournament (although I am sure you are working on your brackets). However, I am referring to this time period in school leading up to Spring Break. Student misbehavior increases, parents are uncertain about testing and staff members are tired, thus a little less tolerant. I get it. We have two weeks until Spring Break and then approximately six weeks or so until the end of the year. It's crunch time and the pressure is on. As we embark on testing, school close out and of course the big summer renovation, let's be purposeful in making sure that we finish strong. We will have to pack extra patience and positivity to make it. But we WILL make it. In the end, this school year will be a slam dunk (corny, I know).
21 Cool Anchor Charts To Teach Close-Reading Skills
www.buzzfeed.com September 2, 2014
Close reading is a hot topic that’s just getting hotter! Here are 21 anchor charts, bulletin board ideas and other resources that you can bring into your classroom to turn your readers into even closer readers.
Check It Off!
This anchor chart captures the gist of close reading. Use the checklist format to create bookmarks or laminated cheat sheets that students can use as tools as they read.
This anchor chart captures the gist of close reading. Use the checklist format to create bookmarks or laminated cheat sheets that students can use as tools as they read.
2. Dig Deep for Meaning!
3. Stop and Think!
Make this anchor chart a living document by switching out the sticky notes with examples from students’ reading and writing.
Make this anchor chart a living document by switching out the sticky notes with examples from students’ reading and writing.
4. Annotation 101
These basic annotation marks are a good starting point for students who are learning to read with a pencil.
These basic annotation marks are a good starting point for students who are learning to read with a pencil.
5. Read and Reread!
Use this second-grade anchor chart to set a purpose for reading, rereading and rereading again.
Use this second-grade anchor chart to set a purpose for reading, rereading and rereading again.
6. Think-marks
As they learn how to annotate, students can get into adding these think-marks alongside the words they’ve circled and key lines they’ve underlined.
As they learn how to annotate, students can get into adding these think-marks alongside the words they’ve circled and key lines they’ve underlined.
7. How to Annotate Effectively
Use models (like this one) to show students how to annotate and to avoid common pitfalls like the 100 percent highlighted page or the no-notes-in-the-margins annotators.
Use models (like this one) to show students how to annotate and to avoid common pitfalls like the 100 percent highlighted page or the no-notes-in-the-margins annotators.
8. Annotation Helper
During a first read, this anchor chart is helpful for students who need support in figuring out what to jot down. After they retell their summary (in their own words), they can write those notes in the margins.
During a first read, this anchor chart is helpful for students who need support in figuring out what to jot down. After they retell their summary (in their own words), they can write those notes in the margins.
9. Draw It!
This drawing annotation is a technique that could be incorporated into kindergarten, first grade or elementary special education classes to help students visualize important information as they read.
This drawing annotation is a technique that could be incorporated into kindergarten, first grade or elementary special education classes to help students visualize important information as they read.
10. Step It Up!
This chart helps students identify exactly where they are in their close reading. At the end of each lesson, students can identify which step they’re on and what they have yet to do.
This chart helps students identify exactly where they are in their close reading. At the end of each lesson, students can identify which step they’re on and what they have yet to do.
11. The Accountable Ant
12. Close Reading Defined
Put this printable in your planning binder to remind you of the ultimate goal when you’re planning close-reading lessons.
Put this printable in your planning binder to remind you of the ultimate goal when you’re planning close-reading lessons.
13. Tell Me All About It
This chart, updated with students’ sticky notes, can be used to reflect, first, how students are building their close-reading skills and then how they’re applying those skills in different lessons, contexts and texts.
This chart, updated with students’ sticky notes, can be used to reflect, first, how students are building their close-reading skills and then how they’re applying those skills in different lessons, contexts and texts.
14. Read Like a Detective
This poster will help you plan inventive close-reading lessons that have students zooming in on text through their reading behaviors and questions.
This poster will help you plan inventive close-reading lessons that have students zooming in on text through their reading behaviors and questions.
15. To Dos (and What Not To Dos)
This teacher-focused chart will help you plan close-reading lessons with a reminder about what’s most important and what to avoid in close reading.
This teacher-focused chart will help you plan close-reading lessons with a reminder about what’s most important and what to avoid in close reading.
16. Close-Reading Spotlight
It can be difficult to show off student reading skills, but this bulletin board showcases how students are color coding text and finding proof in their reading.
It can be difficult to show off student reading skills, but this bulletin board showcases how students are color coding text and finding proof in their reading.
17. Step by Step
Students develop independence with this chart that outlines six effective close-reading steps.
Students develop independence with this chart that outlines six effective close-reading steps.
18. Question Wheel
Students can use the general questions in this wheel to develop their own text-dependent questions for each story or article they read.
Students can use the general questions in this wheel to develop their own text-dependent questions for each story or article they read.
19. TDQ on Display
This bulletin board highlights the ways students create text-dependent questions, and showcases how students are applying those TDQs in their work.
This bulletin board highlights the ways students create text-dependent questions, and showcases how students are applying those TDQs in their work.
20. Employing Evidence-Based Terms
As students discuss and write about text, this anchor chart shows them how to use evidence-based transitions and sentence starters.
As students discuss and write about text, this anchor chart shows them how to use evidence-based transitions and sentence starters.
21. We’re Big on Evidence
This bulletin board display shows students how to cite evidence in big, bold ways.
Habitudes- (Growth Mindset)
This bulletin board display shows students how to cite evidence in big, bold ways.
Looking Ahead
Fulton County's Spring Teacher Fair will take place on next Friday, March 25th from 10:00am-1:00pm at the Georgia International Convention Center. Please share this information with any friends or potential teaching candidates.
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