Hi, friends! Long time, no communication -sorry. It seems like it’s that time of year…but hopefully, I am hitting my first-grade stride and will be making more appearances here. ๐
About to start our 6th week of school, my first-grade friends are gaining more independence each day. As I have started full-blown guided reading groups, I’m trying to maximize the time I can spend with my budding readers. Therefore, I try not leave the guided reading table when I’m with a group. Still, I struggle with not immediately ‘correcting’ or reminding friends working throughout the room when I see things that aren’t ‘just-right.’
To combat this ‘immediately’ react feeling, I have shifted into a more proactive mindset using plastic pockets
from Amazon. I put a white sheet of paper in the sleeve (just to create a blank background), draw a plus sign and a delta (to stay with our school’s plus and delta reflection routine), and keep a dry-erase marker by my side.
As I am teaching and reading with students, I ‘take notes’ on the happenings of the classroom. When I see great successes (like a friend successfully logging onto Lexia Reading – woohoo) that need to be celebrated, I make sure to include them on my sleeve. When I see that friends are struggling pushing the headphones all the way into the iPod Touches (making the audio spread throughout the classroom), I record it as a delta – something we want to change.
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Great post and idea. I think what you are doing is helping to build that independence. What lucky kids!!!
Hi Katherine—great post. I would love to see what materials and things you do in your reading and math blocks. Thanks for sharing your ideas-they are great!!
Great idea Catherine! I have a parking lot that students can post questions they may have while I'm doing my guided reading groups. They post questions that can't be answered by other group members. I try to take questions in between groups and my students know to move on to a different center/assignment until I can meet with them.
Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching
I ditto Joanne's comment. Helps tons if students write the question instead of standing waiting for me to answer.
Laurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Thank you, Catherine! Your post comes at a perfect time since I will be starting my guided reading groups tomorrow! And, like you, I'm WAY too tempted to get up and correct certain behaviors. But it's important to remember that it's the beginning of the year, right? I keep telling myself that. ๐
One Lucky Teacher
Same here!!! I have to remind myself, "they're only six weeks out of kinder…it will take time!." ๐
Your proactive strategy with the plastic pockets is genius. It is wonderful how you are fostering a culture of celebration and improvement in your classroom. Learning from successes and challenges is key and your method seems very effective.
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The proactive approach with the plastic pockets and using plus and delta reflections is a great way to capture both successes and areas for growth.