Questioning Strategy & Bookmarks

Last week we began our Questioning reading strategy.  I use the Reader's Workshop model in my classroom and study the seven comprehension strategies.  For one of our earlier lessons, I used the book It's Mine by Leo Lionni for sharing questions before, during, and after our reading.  On the first day, I showed my students the cover of the book and had them share any questions about it.  Some questions were, "Is it funny?" "Is is about frogs?" and "Are the frogs friends?"  I recorded their questions on post-its and wrote their name on them to give my students ownership.

The next day, I read the book to my students.  Every couple of pages, I stopped and recorded more student questions.  Once again, I put these on post-its and stuck them to our anchor chart.  Some questions were, "What does quarrel mean?" "Why did the island get smaller?" and "Why are the frogs yelling?"

On the third day, we came back to the book and discussed how sometimes we still have questions about the book when we are finished reading.  I recorded student questions and put them on the anchor chart.

We are now working on another anchor chart with a different book.

As I was going through my file on Questioning, I found some good stuff that I haven't really used.  I was also randomly thinking about how my students are LOVING their chapter books and don't have enough bookmarks to hold the spots in the multiple books they are reading.  So I made bookmarks to go with our Questioning unit.  Check them out... and grab yourself a free copy if you think you can use them.

Get a copy!

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Treasure Maps.. Argh!

We completed our Map unit in the Fall, and yes, I'm just now getting around to posting about it.  During our Map unit we did several different activities.  Each student made an On The Map book that we completed together to discuss our classroom, school, city, state, country, continent, and planet.  I also assigned students to complete a Map Your Neighborhood project as homework.  I forgot to take pictures of this but they came out really cute!  And... we made treasure maps!

Before we got started on our treasure maps, we discussed natural features vs. manmade features.  We also read the book The Day I Became A Pirate.  Then we got started on our treasure maps.  First we created a chart to list what needed to be included, like a title, compass rose, and a mixture of natural and manmade features.  I posted examples of treasure maps I found online onto our whiteboard.  For the actual maps, I cut apart brown paper sacks.  Then the students got to work!  When they were finished, they crumpled up their map to make it look like it was old... I'm pretty sure that was their favorite part!  Here are some of my students' treasure maps.

Reading Rubric for Independent Reading

I created a Reading Rubric awhile ago for my students to use during Independent Reading time.  I wrote about it in this post.  I've had a lot of great feedback on it and a lot of people asking for a copy... which is great!  I'm glad that I could create something so useful for people.  I've recently been asked to change the wording a little so I thought I would make another version in case others want it as well.

This is the original version that I use in my classroom.  I like it this way so that I can read it to my students like, "Shining Stars can... Read in a silent or whisper voice," etc.

Reading Rubric 1

Here is the new version, written in first person.

Reading Rubric 2

If you are interested in getting a copy of either one, comment below with your email address or send me and email letting me know!

**Update: I have added a FREE new version of my Reading Rubrics to my TpT store.  Check them out here!

Patterns {freebie}

My second graders are learning about patterns right now.  We've talked about all types of patterns - color patterns, shape patterns, number patterns, etc. 

Here is a worksheet I whipped up last night to help students think about how patterns continue and to show their thinking.

It's nothing fancy, but it's free if you want to grab a copy!

Find Someone Who.... FREEBIE

I have totally been off the grid lately.... oops!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!  Well I'm just checking in to share a quick freebie as we are all headed back to work!  Some of you may have even started back today... eek!  We got to work a half day today with no students.  Be jealous.  It was nice.

Tomorrow will be a laid back day as we review things we learned before winter break as well as review our building and classroom expectations (the kiddos seem to forget so easily).  Along with some New Years activities, I am planning for my kiddos to complete a Find Someone Who page about winter break.  I posted about another Find Someone Who activity here.

If you'd like a copy for yourself, click here!

I'll be working on getting my crap together and blogging about the cool things I have coming up.... like perhaps a cruise! :)  Stay tuned!