Super Story Elements

My co-worker and I spent Friday afternoon planning for this week.  We had a great time!  It’s always more fun to bounce ideas around with someone.  As you know, we are not focusing on our Reading program – which we are SOOOO thankful about not using!  Our one concern being, how should we assess?  We want to assess the focus standard of the week rather than the story.  She came up with the idea of creating an assessment that would work for ANY story we (or the students) read.  Did I mention that I LOVE collaborative planning??!!  :)  
You can find our first attempt on TPT.  It covers author’s purpose, main idea, setting, characters, text connections, etc.  I think you’ll love it!  It’s free – check it out! 
Super Story Elements
If you like it, please rate it & follow me!  :)

Organization anyone??

We've been told we do not have stick strictly to the reading program - HALLELUJAH!  I absolutely love teaching standards and reading skills rather than a story a week.  However, I am struggling with all of our basal resources while teaching standards to mastery. We have some great leveled readers. I just don't know how to organize & utilize all of the resources!  


To start with - I think I'm going to take all of my leveled readers and sort them first by levels and then by skill taught.  So...I talked my hubby into stopping by Big Lots after church. It was organizing HEAVEN!!!  Colors, colors, colors!  IF you're looking for baskets, rolling drawers,etc...try big lots!!

How do you sort yours?? How do you use all of the county given resources?  Leave a comment and let me know.  I need all the help I can get & I'm sure others will love the help as well!


Thanks!!
Marcie

Word Journeys with Daily 5

My class took a short break from Daily 5, a couple of weeks tops.  We just had to with all of the county required assessments, holidays, etc.  My kiddos started asking – “when are we doing stamina stations?”  I have NEVER called it that so I was quite impressed w/ them!  Needless to say, when children are BEGGING to read and write in stations - I deliver!  I pulled the bags back out & let go of the reins a little.  I LOVE that they LOVE it!  They have grown as self managers and it's really working! 
We have added working with words and my kids are TRULY engaged.  My school uses Word Journeys (Differentiated spelling/phonics) and it's perfect w/ the Daily 5.  
  
I've created a menu for our Working with Words that I'm attaching.  It does take a few times of doing it with your kids for them to really get it.  Each one of my kiddos have a folder with the menu stapled inside the front cover.  It's a requirement that they complete all four activities.  They can choose to do one a day and then a word game when finished or they may complete them on the same day and have word games for the remainder of the week. Word Work Menu
I've also tinkered with our spelling contract so that it contains some of the same activities.   I'm attaching that as well.  Spelling Contract
If you haven't tried Word Journeys (or Words their Way) - research it and try it.  It takes a little more work but it's also very impressive the way my babies are actually STUDYING words rather than memorizing. 
This has been a big concern of mine.  I come from a kindergarten background, it’s my first year in 2nd grade.  Letters/Phonics/Words were our life!  What do you do for word work in 2nd grade?  I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts!  Please leave a comment.
Sincerely,
Marcie :)




Here is the WTW assessment that we do weekly.  It takes more time & a little work but it's worth it.  My kiddos are recognizing and understanding the spelling/phonics pattern rather than just memorizing.

Liebster Award!

Wow!  I'm so excited!!  Thank you for the award!   

It started my day off with a smile! :)

I'm so excited to receive this award from Terri - http://monkeyingaroundwithtechnology.blogspot.com!  Thank you!  You should definitely check out her blog.  It's FULL of great ideas!

This award is presented to bloggers with under 200 followers - up & coming star bloggers!  

Here are the rules for the Liebster Awards:

1. Copy and Paste the award on your blog.
2. Thank the giver(s) and link back to them.
3. Reveal your picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my top picks - check out their blogs!

1. Heidi and Emily Kate   

http://sstorywindow.blogspot.com/

2. I do, we do, you do

http://independenceinlearning.blogspot.com/

3. Second Grade Two Step 

http://tejedatwostep.blogspot.com