Goals, Reading Groups, Freebie, and boo!

Hello blog-world friends!! :) I cannot believe that it's been 7 days since my last post.  In blogger world, that's a semi-retirement. But hey, October will do that to ya!

To compensate for the neglect and buy back your affections, I'm offering a freebie today.

Yay!

Here's what I've been up to (and why I seemingly went to Mars...):

1. Just about finished my reading assessments (DRA2) so that I can properly group my students (I need one more!) DRA2's take a long. time.
2. Organized my students other assessments (spelling, math, writing, etc.) so that I can start working on report cards (what??!?!)
3. Got my kiddos to go thirty minutes of Daily 5! Woot woot!
4. Implemented a new reading instruction routine (our school-wide goal)
5. Implemented Cognitively Guided Math Instruction (a district goal)
6. Bought a hot roller set. (Not really vital, but my hair needed help due to goal overload.)

The Good

I've done one round of reading groups (like a fake guided reading) so that my kiddos could experience what Daily 5 looks and feels like when it's in full swing.  I grouped my little ones just based on my gut so I could meet with them.  Plus, reading in small group is a great way to informally assess them, too!

But now that the assessments have rolled in, I am making some changes, as expected.  This is good.

I am also loving CGI. It is very good.  I'll dedicate a post for that soon. If you do it, I'd love to hear your own thoughts!

My hair.  It looks awesome.

The Bad

Assessment overload! I feel like I hardly taught this trimester with all of the new instructional goals my school/district is implementing (all of which are wonderful!) - but it's time to get crackin'.

The Ugly

One of my personal goals for Daily 5 this year was to have more accountability.  I talked about this over the summer when I made the Sound/Word Study Book.   

I'm hesitant to interfere with Daily 5 because I see so many wonderful things happening in my classroom, but I really want my kiddos to have a specific purpose for all they do during that time. I also want to have a bit more meat during my reading 'conferences'.

I know the CAFE board helps with this, too.

This year, I'm going to use this reading goals journal! {I put a blank page in there so you can make your own categories. :) }


 What I'll do:

  • The first group meeting of the week, I'll spend time talking with the group revisiting goals/checking in. (I have four in each group)
  • They will each set goals and record them in the book.
  • Throughout the week, they will work on those goals during their Daily 5 time.
I'll keep you all posted about how it works!  How do you manage purpose for your students' D5 or Reading Workshop time?

In other news... I've been boo-ed! (Three times, in fact!) In know... pathetic that I'm just now posting!

But boo-ter late than never, right?!?  Now I'm linking up!



Thanks to Lori @ The Reinspired Teacher:

The Reinspired Teacher

Chrissy @ First Grade Found Me:


Michelle @ Apples and ABCs:


You really make a girl feel boootiful! ;)

Here are my October read-aloud favorites!

And I love me some great activitiy from some other talented bloggers!!

Halloween Spider Sort from the ladies at Fluttering Through First Grade:



Have a great week everyone!! 








6 comments

  1. Great freebie! I love hot rollers too. You can put them in. Take them out and hair is done!
    Voila!
    ஐRikki

    The Hive

    ReplyDelete
  2. Isn't it ridiculous what happens when your hair looks good? hahaha! I'm obsessed with my big barrel curling iron! Congrats on the good hair.

    Megan

    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the Spider Shout Out! Halloween will be here before we know it!
    Might have to bust out the old set of hot rollers and give them another shot. Good hair makes all the difference :)
    ~Christy & Tammy
    Fluttering Through First Grade

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Kate...I have been stalking your blog for a little while and I just decided to jump in the "blog ring" and started my new blog yesterday! I am also a second grade teacher! I copied your button and added it to my blog!!! Your blog is the the first blog button that I added :) Yay!!!!! I am so excited.... Would love it if you could follow me as well :)

    http://simplyskilledinsecond.blogspot.com/

    Thanks for such great posts and ideas!!!!

    hugs
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Hallo-Wiener has to be my kids' favourite book! Not sure why really -- ha ha -- but they really dig it!

    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10/28/2012

    Hi Kate,
    I'm taking a course where I am to explore educational blogs. There are so many and it is so overwhelming. I finally came across your's and realize that it is like listening to a friend. You are my first "must follow!"
    Colleen

    ReplyDelete

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