Setting Up Notebooks (Writing and Reading) at the Beginning of the Year

Welcome back!  I'm so excited about beginning this new year with my MSE family!!

Workshop and literacy are my passion, so I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to best get going in those areas.  One great way to get off on the right foot with workshop is to introduce and model notebooks.

Writing Notebook:

A writing notebook is a safe place where writers can try out new techniques and strategies, generate ideas, make lists, and work on their craft.  It should become a resource for them to reference as they develop as a writer.  Notebooks are a HUGE part of identifying as and living like a writer.

Here are some articles that might help if you are interested in reading more about notebooks and getting them started for writers.

https://twowritingteachers.org/2014/08/04/sharpen-your-workshop-routines-setting-up-the-writers-notebook-for-a-year-of-writing/

https://twowritingteachers.org/2016/08/03/notebooks-matter-and-notebook-matters/

https://twowritingteachers.org/2015/08/03/creating-classroom-environments-introducing-writers-notebooks/

https://twowritingteachers.org/2016/08/12/reflections-on-summer-notebook-keeping/

One way you might choose to launch student writing notebooks is to teach a minilesson on organizing your notebook.  Last year, I decided to include a Table of Contents in my Writer's Notebook so that I could use it to reference later in the year as I wanted to revisit ideas or lists or strategies I had tried.  It worked really well for me, so I'm doing that again this year.  (This picture is of my meeting notebook, but it shows a newer notebook being set up.)  It's as easy as taking the first couple of pages to use as a Table of Contents, then number the rest of the pages. I only number the front side of the page so that I can continue on the back if needed.

Reading Notebook:

Reading Notebooks are a place where readers record their thinking about their reading.  These are the newest kind of notebooks for us, and we might not be comfortable with how they have looked in the past.  This year, I challenge us to create these think pads with our kids.  I can't wait to see how reading notebooks can make a difference for our readers!

Here are some articles that might help if you are interested in reading more about notebooks and getting them started for readers.

A collection of posts about reading notebooks http://tworeflectiveteachers.blogspot.com/search?q=reading+notebooks

https://www.drgravitygoldberg.com/single-post/2017/03/12/Stirring-Up-Interest-for-Writing-About-Reading

http://corwin-connect.com/2017/03/4-tips-avoid-sunday-planning-blues/

Also, I included a video about notebooks from Gravity Goldberg, who is a Teachers College staff developer and super smart teacher.  If you want to learn more about reading notebooks from Gravity and Renee go here https://resources.corwin.com/goldberghouser-fiction/student-resources/videos

https://www.gravityandrenee.com/single-post/2017/02/10/Making-the-Most-of-Reading-Notebooks

Similar to writing notebooks, I think one way to start a reading notebooks is to plan for its use this year.  You might spend some time personalizing it.  Mine would barely be considered personalized, but given some time and materials, I make it spectacular...I'm thinking glitter.

You might glue a To Be Read list in the back, like this.

I actually have about 20 books stacked beneath my night stand that are a true TBR list.  In addition, I have lots and lots of titles downloaded to my Kindle that I would love to write down and then check off as I read.


Lastly, I had already started my reading notebook, taking notes, summarizing, and writing down unknown words, before I read about the Table of Contents idea.  So, I glued in a piece of card stock, folded it in half and glued on some list pages to create a Table of Contents.  It makes the notebook more available to reference in the future.

Another way that you might choose to get kids started in notebooks is by setting up the notebook with sections that are tabbed with tape and labeled.  For example, I would like to make a vocabulary section where I write down unknown or unfamiliar words.  I'm a word nerd!

These ideas should help kids utilize their notebooks as a useable resource.

This year could be the year notebooks make a difference for one of your kids.  I can't wait to see how it goes!

Em :)

Growing Our Expertise

The holidays had my waistline growing and my spirit soaring with family meals, travel, and gatherings.  It was a healthy break and our family was ready to head back to our normal school schedule.

As our Main Street family settles back into school, starting second semester, we find ourselves at a great place for reflection and planning.  Our data day, yesterday, was fulfilling and positive.  Teachers are putting the focus on student learning and differentiation.  In addition, we are building our own knowledge and understanding of reading development.  Studying complexity and how it plays into student development allows us to make better choices in our instruction and resources.  The conversations, questions, and proposals for teaching were beneficial to all who participated. 

This link will take you to the Heinemann Cheat Sheet and other resources from the Units Of Study (all found in the resources under the Reading Pathways tab on Heinemann).

This link will take you to the Complexity Cheat Sheets (from Annemarie) for bands J-Z with prompts for learning at those levels. 

If you click here, you will find photos of our created (cheat sheet) charts from our work together.

I appreciate your effort and time.

If you need the grouping sheet that we used yesterday, it is linked here.  Thanks to Courtney for all her work in planning and leading us yesterday.  She is a treasure for us!

Happy Friday all!

My (Emily) OLW

I first heard of One Little Word when I was reading over at Two Writing Teachers.  Each of the contributing writers there chooses one word to focus their lives around for the year.  This is based on the work of Ali Edwards.  Check it out here.

For the last few years, I have been fascinated by this decision, their focus.  It's a great concept.  I am indecisive and haven't taken the course, so it was fascinating and, simultaneously, intimidating to me.

This year, I'm going to give it a try.

My one little word for 2018 will be concentrate.

When I think of the word concentrate, I normally focus on the verb having to do with mental focus.  2018 will be a year for this cognitive center, to concentrate.  Many times, I find myself multi-multi-tasking.  This usually ends feeling unproductive and scattered.  In 2018, I want to slow down to go fast.  I will be present in conversations and become a better listener, concentrating on what is in front of me in that moment.  I vow to be more organized and centered in my work and play.

A concentrate of my family time is also needed.  I know that my love language is quality time.  However, my family can often be found in proximity to one another, not spending quality time together.  Instead, it has a feeling of "putting in our time".  I know that these are precious, fleeting moments with my loved ones.  I want them in concentrate.  It's not enough to have this diluted time where we are together, only as defined by space.  I want time spent together to be full of meaning and conversation, and memory making.  I want our family, each other, to be the center of our time together.

This is a year for concentrate.

What do you think of trying out One Little Word for your year?  What word would you choose?

Asking for a friend

Have you ever used a (sort of) clean fork as a bookmark? in a book about writing notebooks?

-asking for a friend

Em :)

Rehash of post about Reading Levels

Hey all,

There are a couple of blogs that I LOVE to follow (The Nerdy Book Club, Two Writing Teachers, plus lots of twitter peeps).  There's always something to read that makes me think, sometimes affirming, sometimes challenging.

Recently, "The Nerdy Book Club" blog co-author, Donalyn Miller, wrote a post about reading levels and their place in our world.  She gave a rundown of "what reading level systems offer and what they don't".  The big idea is that leveling systems, including Lexile and Fountas and Pinnell, are for books, not students. 

This sentence pretty much sums up her stance on student reading, "The primary drivers of independent reading are choice and interest over everything else".

If you would like to read this post in its entirety (which you should), click the link here.  If you would like to read more by Donalyn Miller, she has authored a few books.  One of these books is in our library, in the professional section, The Book Whisperer:Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child.  Go check it out!

Em

It's a Short Week

Hey all,

It's a short week, coming back from Fall Break (what a blessing that was!).  I have a sick kiddo at home, and took a personal day tomorrow and Monday.  So, I am just going to reference you to the Two Writing Teachers post from last week.  You know how I love the stuff these ladies write.  However, this post addresses some of the exact topics we have been talking about lately.  The title of the post is "Conventions & Presentation: Solving Predictable Problems".  Please take a look through the link!

See you soon,

Em :)

Looking Ahead

First: A quick update for November Math meetings:
Kindergarten: Monday, November 13th
1st Grade: TBD
2nd grade: Friday, November 10th
3rd grade: Tuesday, November 21st
4th Grade: Friday, November 3rd
5th Grade: Monday, November 6th
**Please let me know ASAP if changes need to be made.


During the grade level meetings in October, there were many conversations that centered around the different strategies that we are presenting to our students. Some of thoughts and questions that were repeated among grade levels were:  What is another way? When it this strategy appropriate? Am I spending too much instruction time on one particular strategy and not enough on another? In what ways  do the strategies build on each other and how can I make those connections.   I have never heard of that one. I am using that one and it is/isn't working for my kids.


I would like to have an afternoon (ER Day) where we can work to vertically align strategies and instructional practices.  In order for that to be effective, due to the timeframe we are working in, we will begin this work in November.  For our meetings, please come prepared with the strategies that you are currently using.  We are going to be looking for the overlaps and gaps.  This does not have to be anything formal.  A post it note with strategies would be perfect. 


Second:  My calendar is linked on the right hand side of the blog.  I am trying to keep it updated throughout the day/week.  On the days that I am at MSE, I will try to put each grade level on the calendar so that I can be in your rooms to help you and your students. 
As always, please let me know if you need anything!


-Tara