A Book Review- Every Child A Super Reader

I thought I would share my notes and thoughts on a Professional Development book I just read with my PLN. I read Every Child A Super Reader by Pam Allyn and Ernest Morrell. (Click on any of the following pictures to access the notes I took while reading.)

The book is focused around the 7 Strengths that promote Super Readers:

1. Belonging

2. Curiousity 

3. Friendship

4. Kindness

5. Confidence

6. Courage

7. Hope

(Allyn and Morrell briefly touch on best practices, but this book is not focused on the components of Reading Workshop.)

The thing I love most about this book is I feel that these 7 Strengths can and should be nutured in across all grade levels and disciplines to help build social emotional well being in our students. I will be adding the 7 Strenghts to my vocabulary wall and theme wall. I will also be finding quotes that tie to the 7 Strengths. The 10 Fundamental Principles are important for us as educators to reflect on and make changes to our practices and classroom libraries as needed. 

(Click to see all 10 Principles)

One of my favorite quotes from the book states, "Every child deserves to know she belongs to the world of reading and the world of writing. Whether white or black, Latino or Asian, boy or girl-everyone and anyone can, will, and should benefit from a library as diverse as the world we live in." pg. 31

We must help our students see themselves in books. We must be purposeful with our read aloud selection and library choices. We must have a diverse books in our schools!!!

Allyn and Morrell also give practical advice on ways to promote the 7 Strengths in your classroom. Each chapter shares ideas for classroom activities, read alouds, technology integration, and ways to involve familes. 

(Click to see a few ideas for each strength)

I love the emphasis Ally and Morrell place on involoving families and educating them on ways to help their children connect the 7 Strenghts to their home as well. I think it would be a great idea to share the 7 Strenghts with parents when the year starts and continue to share ideas throughout the year via email, videos, newsletters, etc. 

The book is full of amazing assessment tools, rubrics, student goal setting, planning guides, and book lists. These book confirms my beliefs of building a community and that reading is more than just reading! 

What are you doing to ensure your students have the opportunity to become Super Readers?

Student (End of Year) Reflections

My students reflect throughout the year on many different assignments and their goals. I love to spend time with them reflecting on the things we accomplished during the year and set goals for the summer. This year I am going to let reflect on their favorites from reading and writing in Google Slides. I will share it with students in Google Classroom. 

Cover page-

Students can insert a picture from this year, take a picture of themselves with the webcam, or use remove.bg. 

You can easily edit the slides to make them suit your grade level, personal to your class, and your subject area. 

Student can edit the background, fonts, pictures, etc to match their style. 

Click here to view the reflection in Google Slides.

I think this will be a fun project for them to reflect on their growth this year and share with one another the last week of school. 

Jumpstart Summer Reading

I absolutely love having extra time to read more books off my list during the summer, and I love helping students create their own Reading List to jumpstart their summer reading!

I just implemented First Chapter Friday, where I read only the blurb and the first chapter of the book. While I read students soak in the chapter, and then turn and talk with their partners about their thoughts, questions, and if they want to read the rest. I make sure to choose a variety of genres, styles of writing, and authors. This helps ensure each student will find one book they might want to read or open the door to different genres and authors for some readers.

(Click the above photo for a copy)

Students can then scan the QR code and leave their thoughts to share with each other on our class Padlet. I love reading their opinions and emotions after only hearing one chapter. They can also add the book and author to their Summer Reading List paper or on Google Keep if they want.  (This is a great time to help students set up Google Keep if you haven't already. :)

(Click the above photo for a copy)

I will also host one last Book Tasting the last Friday of the year and give my students the opportunity to read many first chapters and add to their Summer Reading List. These First Chapter Fridays really build the excitement around reading! I have already have students buy the books from their lists, and it's not even summer yet!!

Since I know students can't buy every book on their Summer Reading List, I encourage them to visit the library and share one of my favorite apps Libby with them and their parents. You simply add your library card, and you instantly have the library at your fingertips!!

What is on your Summer Reading List?

Simple (to create) Digital Breakouts

I love using digital breakouts in my classroom, but have been avoiding making my own because I was intimated and figured it would be hard and complicated. Well, I was wrong and able to quickly create my first digital breakout that my students loved!

For me the easiest way to make one was to utilize Google Slides and Google Forms. Google Slides housed the clues and Google Forms had the locks. I uploaded both to Google Classroom for students to easily access. Here are the steps I followed:

5 Simple Steps to create a Digital Breakout

1. Identify the skill you want students to practice. 

For me this was dictionary skills in a fun and engaging way.

2. Decide how many locks/activities you want your students to apply their knowledge on (that will be how many slides you need and number of sections on the Google Forms)

You will create a new section for every lock you want your students to open. My last section was just a picture of "You Escaped!"

3. Create your number or letter codes

This was when I needed to be creative. Ask yourself, How can I have the answer be a number code or a letter code? and then plan your activities. 

4. Setting up a number code

This is an example of one of the lock slides that had a number code for my students to figure out.

In this video I show you how to create the number code in Google Forms. 

You will need to add a new question. Make sure it is short answer and required.

Next to the required tab, click the three dots and choose response validation. 

This is where you put in the correct code.

For a number code, choose number, equal to, type in the code, and your message if the answer is wrong. Then add a new section for your next lock code.

5. Setting up a Letter Code

This is an example of one of the activities for the letter code. I did tell them on the form how many letters.

In this video I show you how to create a letter code.

You will need to add a new question. Make sure it is short answer and required.

Next to the required tab, click the three dots and choose response validation. 

This is where you put in the correct code.

For a letter code, choose text, contains, type in the letter code, and your message if the answer is wrong. Make sure they know if you want upper or lowercase. 

Then add a new section for your next lock code.

Click on the pictures below for a copy of my Dictionary Breakout. 

***You must have the same dictionary for the answers to line up!***

Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/jGoHr2MzE8kpG2BT7

I hope this helps you take a leap and create a Digital Breakout of your own!

With a Digital Breakout the possibilities are endless and student motivation and engagement are increase while they are learning and applying new skills! It's a win-win if you ask me!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Podcasts for brainPOWER

Podcasts are popular and used by a lot of people to learn new information. Meredith Akers shared her Podcasts and Pedometers list on her blog for educators. That got me thinking, "Why am I not using podcasts in the classroom for my students to learn from?"

 So, I did some research and found some podcasts for students that are also able to listened to on our school computers and internet. I tried to find a variety of podcasts on different subjects to give students a range to choose from. Students can access this menu through Google Classroom. 

Click the photo for an interactive document.

I also created a reflection form for students to share what they are learning or wondering. I made one to print and one that I add to Google Classroom for students to fill out digitally. 

Click each photo to make a copy.

Hard copy

Digital Copy

Right now, we are in the middle of STAAR review so students are able to listen to podcasts as one of their activities for the week. I plan on adding Podcasts for brainPOWER to our blended learning rotations/choice boards next year and even allow them to walk while listening. 

 How you already use podcasts in your classroom? Which other podcasts do I need to check out for my students?

I'd love to hear how you use this menu in your classroom!

Show Students You Care

I believe teaching is all about building relationships. I wrote about Inspiring and Motivating students here, but I also wanted to share ways I show students I care about them. Students, and even us as adults, work harder, take risks, and put in more effort for those we love and know care about us. I try my very hardest to show students how much I care about them and love them everyday!

Here are some easy ways to show students you care:

1. Daily Check In

I got stole this idea from my friend Kelsey during CyFair EdCamp. Each day students come in either in the morning or when we switch classes and they check in using a Google Form. They let me know how they are feeling, goals they have for the day, or anything else they want me to know. I love how quick and easy it is for me to read. I simply open Google Forms on my read their responses,  and then I have specific things I can check in with them about or ask questions. I love being able to remind them about their goals and motivate them to achieve them throughout the day. This has really help build my relationships with students and for them to open up to me.

 Click the picture to see my simple check in from!

2. Handwritten Messages

Who doesn't love to receive a handwritten note? I like to tie some of my notes to a theme and give all students a special note, but it can also be a simple post it or note. It's the thought and message that counts!

You Light Up our Classroom

Each student received a light bulb from me with how they light up our classroom!

You Fill Our Class with Love

Each student received a heart from me sharing something I love about them!

STAAR notes

Each student received a bookmark of encouragement and reminder that they are what matter!

3. Lunch Bunches

Have lunch with your students if you can, it is another great way to build relationships. I have Lunch Bunch Fridays and invite different students each week to come have lunch with me in the classroom. We laugh, take selfies, tell jokes, and get to know each other better. So. Much. Fun!

4. Support them Outside of School or AT School

If you are able go see your students in extracurricular activities. It means so much to them if you make it to a game, play, race, competition, recital, or whatever it may be. You can also play a game of Horse, swing, or Bananagrams at recess. One of the best ways to show you care is just to show up and be present! 

5. Hugs and High Fives

At the end of everyday, I sing to my students (yes, sing) and before they leave I give them a hug or high five. I want them to know I care about them and love them no matter what has happened that day. It ends all of our days on a positive note looking forward to tomorrow!

                             I do believe students know if you are being authentic, so be real, be YOU! 
                              Finish the year strong and show your students YOU CARE about them!

"Somebunny" Loves You Incentive

My students loved working to earn a shamrock from our Pot of Gold Incentive last month so much, they asked for me to create an Easter egg one. Because I really do love them and a play on words, I obliged. :)

This time they are trying to be caught by the Bunny showing great behavior and LEADing the way.

If they earn a Bunny, students will be able to go on an egg hunt and choose one egg to reveal their prize. I even upped the rewards this time (50 Compass Cash and a Free Pick from the classroom menu)!!

Click on the eggs to grab a copy of your own.

As always feel free to change it to meet the needs of your classroom, and if you have any questions let me know!

Happy Hunting!