I’m a tad bit overwhelmed right now. Anyone else with me on that? I’m just so tired of thinking. I think I do it too much. See- I can’t even write a sentence without using the word-think!!!!!
No wonder teachers teach straight from the textbook-workbook and use worksheets!!!!! And multiple choice and fill in the blank and matching test questions!! I mean our school just bought a scantron machine!!!!!
I’m. So. Tired.
Are you??
i run read teach 
Thank you for this post. I’ve been working on school work ALL DAY (Veteran’s Day) and most of the day Saturday and Sunday, too. It’s overwhelming, all right. And I’ve been teaching forever. I keep waiting for it to get easier, but it just doesn’t! In fact, the more you learn and know, the more you do. I’m not giving up though … and neither are you! 🙂
Cindy-
Thanks!!!
You are so right about the more you know, the more you do! At this point I’m thinking ignorance is bliss. 🙂
Shannon,
I feel your pain! But keep doing what you do and that is making learning exciting for students! Oh….how I wish you were on my team in Huntsville City Schools!
Thank you, Dr. Summerville!!!! 🙂
You just made my day! My week! 🙂
Hope things calm down for you Shannon!
Thanks, Suzanne!! 🙂 I hope so, too! Throw me a raft!!
I agree. I am not pulling small groups enough to catch up on weak skills. I am planning fast and furiously to keep up with unit pace, and where is the thoughtfulness? No time for that!
I haven’t pulled ONE small group!! I’ve conferred individually, but mostly just about their current read- which I know is better than nothing, but I need a plan! In the worst way!!!
I didn’t think I would need to as much in fourth (I have been in first for the last 7 years) but I am realizing now that they still need it.
Disclaimer: I am not a teacher. I have been in classrooms speaking to, reading with grade school children, mostly with my books (but not to sell them as I donated them in these cases.) One thing I would do and some of my teacher friends have tried as well is to pick a story, chapter, book with strong, entertaining dialog between characters kids identify with and have them role play the scene. The first time I tried this the teacher and I were both amazed. I asked for volunteers to read/role play as chapter to the class and half the class raised their hands. The reading skill levels did not matter. I took three 4th and 5th graders into a different room and had them practice reading their parts in the chapter a couple of times. The strong readers helped and encouraged the weaker readers so they could all do their parts. After a couple of practice runs, they came out and read their parts to the class everyone loved it. Then the class insisted we let another group try. One of my teaching friends took this concept a step further and had her class do an actual mini-play of one chapter of my newest book, a chapter on the sport of cow skiing I believe. Anyway, just a thought on getting kids into reading by making it more interactive, better able to compete with video games, etc.
James,
That’s an awesome idea! We’ve done a couple of reader’s theaters in the past years (not this year so far), but actually taking a piece from our read aloud novel would be even better!
James,
We’ve done readers theaters before, but this would be even better- having them act out what we are already reading together! Great idea!