LYoung

I have completed not mastered yet, a few student conferences.  I was pretty pleased with the turn out and I think the children will really begin to enjoy the one on one to discuss their books.  I have taught the 5 finger rule to most of them this week.  I really enjoyed having the list of ideas about how to solve certain problems that they may be having when choosing or sticking with the books.  I am concentrating on building up my library.  I like for them to have a great deal of choices.  We also tried the book responses this week different than we have in the past.  It is amazing how well you really can teach reading when you focus and do a few minor yet very important things!!

Since I had workshops up and running I have worked hard to do a Read Aloud each day.  I have loved it!  It has been fun to choose a good book to share and it has given me another opportunity to read.  I have pulled a lesson out of each book and tied it into the standards.  I have really focused on chapter 4 on mini lessons.  I am trying to follow the exact guidelines that they provide.So much of this book is what I have been striving to do.  It is really helping me put it into action.  I had started doing conferences but I wasn't sure exactly how.  GPS training yesterday was on conferencing and with this information I am working on really fine tuning and putting what i have learned to work.

I was excited about the book that 1st grade began with.  I have been hearing about Reading Workshop for a while now and I have been trying to implement it to the best of my ability, but I did not have any directions in hand.  I am working through slowly, but I have already read the book.  I am now going back to take each area one step at a time.  I have small groups in place and have.  They work really well.  I do guided reading in small groups and I have some independent reading going on during this time.  I began today doing a Read Aloud and plan to do that each day.  I love having so many suggestions and tried and true ideas at my finger-tips!  I am planning on interviewing and conferencing with my children about how they feel about reading and what type of books they like to choose.  So far, so good!  I am excited.