Filed under: education
Today I worked on my literacy classroom block. Its all I did during math class and then I worked on it more tonight. I could have just done something quickly but I really wanted it to make it something I would actually use. And now that I’m done, I’m crazy proud of it.
I had my first plan but I wanted to add in writing workshop and so I extended it to 2 hours instead of 90 minutes. I had problems fitting everything in and having it be organized (ex. starting guided reading about the same time everyday). 3 plans later, I found a way that works. I basically have 20 minute time blocks. 40 minutes every afternoon is writing workshop, because I felt like that was something that could stand completely on its own. I meet 2 or 3 guided reading groups Monday through Thursday. I meet with the low group 4 times a week, the middle group 3 times, and the high group 2 times. The last 20 morning minutes of language arts are spent in word study. Since I’ve never seen this in action I wasnt quite sure how to set it up. But I decided on 3 groups that meet on a rotating schedule (2 groups meet each day). Since groups would only meet 3 or 4 times a week I thought that was kind of fast for a quiz every week so I decided groups could be tested reguarly but as needed. I also have literature circles that meet Tues, Wed, and Thurs for 20 minutes. We do invitations for an hour on Fridays.
What I like most about my plan is what the rest of the class is doing when guided reading or word study groups are meeting. Their first priority is doing Literature Circle reading or assignments. This way this wont take up homework time outside school. Their next priority is centers. I would have 9 centers. Each student gets a grid with the 9 activities and has to do 3 a week (no repeats). Then they have more choice. They can read independently, work on writing from writing workshop, continue with an invitation, or do more centers. I like this because it has structure, but also allows for students to pursue individual interests.
