Carl's Christmas

I love using picture books when working with students. It gives them the opportunity to invent the story. I love hearing their ideas and seeing what they notice. I have been reading all of the Carl books by Alexandra Day. My grandson loves them! 

Here is a writing paper to go along with Carl's Christmas. 

New 2015 ELA Standards for South Carolina!

For my South Carolina followers, HERE is a link to the new 2015 ELA standards!

The addition of inquiry standards has really changed the environment of the classroom! I am so excited about these inquiry additions! 

Do you need help teaching inquiry? The revised edition of Harvey and Daniel's Comprehension and Collaboration has everything you need to get started with inquiry lessons in your classroom!

I Wonder boards are great for finding out what kids are interested in learning! 

You can also use I Wonder as a Four Square process. Download it HERE!

Students observe, listen or read and record their thoughts. I really like this approach in the early grades. 

Another great option for wondering is the RAN chart.  You can download the E-Book here! 

Students are able to see what they know, what they wonder, and how they can learn and grow through the process. Students in grades 2 and up do really well with the RAN chart. It is also great for professional learning with adults.

You can create posters for I Wonder and/or the RAN chart and have students use sticky notes.

Valentine Poem 2015

Download Poem HERE!

Leprechaun Kisses Poem

St. Patrick's Day Treat

I enjoy giving small treats to brighten the day!  This poem is adorable and attached to a plastic bag with a few chocolate kisses makes a sweet treat!  Just write their name in green on the clover or print on green paper.  This version will save you money on ink!

Download Here

Valentine Poem Freebie 2014

I Made My Dog a Valentine

by Jack Prelutsky

Download Here

Children love funny poems for Valentine's Day! They also love their pets!  What a great combination!

MyCuteGraphics

Love is a Circle

Love is a Circle

Download Here!

Christmas Writing Paper Freebies

Writing about Christmas is fun!  Add these papers to your Writing Workshop! 

Download Here!

My Cute Graphics

Mayflower Resources and Freebies

Start your discovery of the Mayflower at the History Channel!  They offer several videos, including Deconstructing History and The History of Thanksgiving.  Examine the myths or read about the Pilgrims!

Take a look at the passenger list of the Mayflower and find out a little about each person at Mayflower History!  They have a great list of primary sources to examine!

Don't miss Scholastic's The First Thanksgiving and tour the ship!  They have a printable game called,

 "Sail on the Mayflower"

"A Summary of the Pilgrims"

and

8 more activities!

Visit Plimoth Plantation and read stories for children!

Head on over to DLTK and print out this cute Mayflower poem!

Visit Classified Mom for a quick craft!

And my favorite Thanksgiving Clipart from My Cute Graphics!

My Thanksgiving Writing Papers!

Download Here

Thanksgiving Thoughts and Freebies

It is Turkey Time again!  Just a few weeks to focus on the holiday and bring a touch of thankfulness to our classrooms.  Have you ever thought that Thanksgiving and the history behind it wasn't in your standards and something that you couldn't teach?  

What about using the theme in your shared reading time? Use the historical perspective during your ELA block.  There are wonderful non-fiction resources online!

And of course poetry and reader's theater always fit in our lessons!

The best place to start is The First Thanksgiving by Scholastic.  You can find a guide for lessons, 12 reader's theaters. video, virtual field trips, etc.  

Read Write Think offers great lesson plans:

Packing the Pilgrim's Trunk for K-2

America Celebrates Thanksgiving Today for 5-8

Myth and Truth: The First Thanksgiving for 9-12

My favorite activity for the little ones is the Thanksgiving bracelet.  Students can retell the story of the Pilgrims and the Mayflower by using the beads.  They love taking these home to share with family.  Send the story home with the bracelet.

Download Story 

Use these books to help them understand the story.

Thanksgiving Poem "Giving Thanks" 

Download Poem

Here are last year's poems!!

More to come on the Mayflower, so check back soon!

Halloween Songs for Shared Reading

These cute songs are ready for Halloween!  Check out the video that goes with The Skeleton Dance:

Words and Actions

Download Here

Another song is "This is the Way We Carve Our Pumpkin" with actions:

Download Here!

Super Sleuths Blog Hop #19

Hi Y'all!
I am so happy to be one of 28 literacy/reading specialists involved in the Super Sleuth Blog Hop!  I love creating  items for students and teachers! I believe in using researched-based strategies and providing those resources to you as freebies!
Today's freebie focuses on comprehension.  Comprehension is all about making meaning.  I have included the Somebody Wanted But So strategy to help students summarize, a list of Generative Questions for you to help readers think deeply, and the FAST character trait analyzing strategy.  I hope that these will help you!

"True comprehension goes beyond literal understanding and involves the reader's interaction with text.  If students are to become thoughtful, insightful readers, they must extend their thinking beyond a superficial understanding of the text."  Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis  

Download Strategies Here!

Now for your clue! Just add the letter below to your list beside Literacy Minute!

 Good luck finding all the clues!  Thanks for stopping by for a minute!  Come back soon! 

Now, on to the...

  

Book Units Teacher
This is a most fabulous item!  Don't miss it!

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1. Comprehension Connection

2. Dont Let the Teacher Stay Up Late

3. The Reading Tutor/ OG

4. Learning Fundamentals

5. Reading and Writing Redhead

6. Ms. Ds Literacy Lab

7. Conversations in Literacy

8. Teacher Mom of Three

9. A Day in the Life of a Title 1 Teacher

10. Luckeyfrog"s Lilypad

11. Curious Firsties

12. All Four Reading

13. Thinking Out Loud

14. Ms. Jordan Reads

15. Big Time Literacy

16. Read with Me ABC

17. Teaching With Nancy

18. This Little Piggy Reads

19. The Literacy Minute

20. Book Units Teacher

21. Reading Toward the Stars

22. The Literacy Garden

23. Im Lovin Lit

24. Ripper Resources

25. Teachers Take-Out

26. Sweet Integrations

27. Reading is Elementary

28. The Rungs of Reading