Reading Fair

You probably already know by now that students have a reading project due in January. It is the student's job to read a book and create the project in their own time. Please let me know if you need help. To get some great ideas, google "reading fair". Look at the images that come up. You will see some great ideas. The more creative the better!

Fluency

An important part of reading is fluency. Not only are students tested regularaly on their fluency, it is important to comprehension that students are able to read in a fluent manner. Because of this, we practice fluency in the classroom. To practice at home have your child read aloud a paragraph a couple of times a week. If they are having trouble, do an echo read. You read a sentence first, then they read it. Or you can read at the same time, together. This is called a choral read. Here is a picture of students reading poetry chorally.

RED RIBBON WEEK

This week we celebrated Red Ribbon Week. This is a D.A.R.E. activity that celebrates being drug and alcohol free. Students were encouraged to sign a pledge against drugs and alcohol. One of the activities was to create a drug free door decoration. This is ours!

Drawing Conclusions

A big focus in third grade reading, is drawing conclusions. This means using clues that they have read to determine something untold in the story. For example if I read, "After Melanie took a bite of the fruit, she squinched her eyes and pursed her lips". What fruit did Melanie read? How do you know? The answer: Melanie ate a lemon. I know because when you eat a lemon you squinch your eyes and purse your lips because it is sour. Today I gave each group of students a old cell phone and a script. Students read the script and their classmates had to determine what they were "talking" about. Then explain how they know.

Reader's Theater

To increase fluency, I am using a research-based strategy called Reader's Theater. Students each get a short play to read out loud. They practice several times before performing in front of the group. The increased practice helps students become more confident in their reading and more fluent. They are better able to read with expression and fluency.

In all fairness

One of the things I pride myself on is fairness. I think it is important to be fair with students. This does not mean all students will be treated the same. They are all different, and I treat them as such. But I know that I am human. I can not be everywhere, and I can not see everything. Sometimes I make mistakes. I admit it. One of the things I tell students is if they have a question, or feel I have made a mistake; they are to calmly speak to me about it. Tell me what happened. I am not afraid to admit my mistakes, even to a child. Even to you. I spoke recently to a parent and child about this. I just wanted to share.

Strategic Grouping

While students are completing their daily 5 routines, this frees my time up. I am able to pull small groups of students to my table to work on skills they need. Students work independently or in pairs to focus on select skills. When the skill has been retaught, they are able to retake tests to hopefully replace their low scores. Other students recieve small group enrichment to keep their grades and interest high. Students are also able to meet with me individually so that I can listen to them read and monitor their progress, high or low.