Posts tagged #guided reading

Retell Bookmarks

My students use retell bookmarks all year long.   They are encouraged to memorize the order of questions on their bookmark so they can write their own retell/recount . My children love to reach this goal without using their bookmarks.

My above average learners have a retell notebook to respond with during guided reading. This allows them to write their own elaborative paragraphs. They are also encouraged to respond orally. This practice has been wonderful for public speaking and hearing how a story sounds as a retell.

My benchmark students complete a retell worksheet and store in their reading binder. They can read their work to a partner too.

My below average kids may answer the questions orally and try to respond with a shorter written application. Check for Visual Reading and Writing Activities for the Common Core in my store   LAMINATE BOOKMARKS… USE IN CLASS AND AT HOME!

All can be found at www.visualccl.com

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged guided reading bookmarks benchmark retelling sequential order retell notebooks recounting stories elaborative writing story elements common core writing retell worksheets writing creative writing reading literacy language arts English Language Arts elementary teaching strategies paragraph writing writing sentences complete sentences sentence elaboration story order questions asking questions.

Props with a Purpose

I use what I call Props with a Purpose when I want to engage my students in the lesson. I use many ‘ hands-on’ props to elicit discussion, frames to help kids focus on details and question cards to help them dig deeper. It is amazing to see my students use these props for collaborative group discussions. We use ‘ My Turn Cards ‘ each participant can have a turn to speak and share. Once the kids are trained to use props like these, the lesson becomes more interactive and exciting; of course even more challenging. You need to try it. It’s time to see it and share it!!!  There are bookmarks for reading, writing, comprehension, and discussion starters. I also include bookmarks for factual, informational and comparison paragraph writing as well.   Check Props with a Purpose in my store for more ideas. You will like it for sure! All can be found at www.visualccl.com

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged retell notebooks recounting stories retell worksheets reading retelling stories reading literacy retelling writing process creating creative primary grades critical thinking creative writing curriculum conversations classroom strategies collaboration common core writing common core character development collaborative groups discussion discussion cards details detailed writing descriptive writing descriptions guided reading Common Core comprehension writing strategies writing writing creative writing writing activities Writing activities pre-writing visual writing narrative writing illustrations informative writing visualizing highlighting questions visual arts visual learning visual representation sequence of events factual writing bookmarks big ideas burning questions elaborated sentences elaboration elaborative writing vocabulary sentence elaboration main characters informational writing comparison writing Special Education speaking discussion starters cards interactive props partners Visual reading special educaion writing and speaking ELL ELA ellaboration elementary expressing English Language Arts text.

Fiction Independent Reading Activities

Fictional Independent Reading Activities

I store multiple copies of these activities/graphic organizers in reading binders during Guided Reading. I will teach the children how to use them and I differentiate the activities based on academic levels throughout the year as well. While I am meeting with small groups, my students are assigned to reading levels and respond independently or with partners, depending on my expectations. They complete activities to represent the stories they have read. If you plan ahead, place the activities/graphic organizers in a particular order of Common Core standards being introduced in your English and Language Arts Units (ELA). Sometimes I may have small guided reading groups work with me using their binder as well. Other ways to use this packet is for morning work or homework. My students are engaged and everything is organized in their binders at their differentiated level.

I also created Easy Fictional Independent Reading Activities and both of these booklets can be found at www.visualccl.com.   Enjoy!!!

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged differentiation fiction homework reading retell notebooks recounting stories retelling stories retelling reading literacy real life events retell worksheets creating writing creative writing pre-writing creative writing creative writing for CCSS expressing guided reading visualizing visuals verbs visual representation Visual reading visual arts vocabulary worksheets lesson plans listing questions lessons learning styles Language arts lesson plan projects lesson activities language arts ELA comprehension common core creative comparison writing orgainzers graphic organizers.