Reading Class Schedule

You would think I wouldn't be stressing over this after 20 years of teaching, but I am.  This is the first year we are departmentalizing and I want to make the very most of my 2 hours and 30 minutes.  I have read the research on best practices and thought about what has worked for me in the past and what I would like to try.  Here is what I have found -

Read Aloud 15 minutes
Shared Reading 15 minutes
Guided Reading 30 minutes
Independent Reading 30 minutes
Word Work 15 minutes
Shared Writing 15 minutes
Independent Writing 30 minutes

Now, I will just have to see how the special education and English language learners will be serviced to decide when to do these things.  When these students are pulled they usually do skills so I want to make certain these students get their independent reading time in.

Searching for the first read-aloud novel of the year

Well, what to read?  It has to be something that will leave the kids begging for more.  It has to be something that will make them want to read.  It has to be something they will enjoy.  AND I like a book that will change the life or the perspective of the listener.

So - I searched around and this is the list of possibilities I came up with:
1.  Wonder by R.J. Palacio
2. The Lightening Thief by Rich Riordan
3.  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
4. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
5. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo

Each would make a great read.  Each has a good message.  Each would be enjoyable.

A New Beginning

As this school year is ending I am planning a new beginning.  After 20 years of teaching I needed something different, something to make my job feel new again.  For 15 of those years I taught all subjects to a self contained group of 5th graders.  

Pros - strong relationships

Cons - limited time to plan per subject which leads to stress

This coming year we are departmentalizing and I will teach reading and writing only (still to 5th graders.)  

Pros - time to plan and focus on teaching deeper richer lessons

Cons - less time to build relationships

This will be a new beginning.  This blog will serve as a place to document my discoveries as the year unfolds. Let the journey begin!