Reader's Workshop

So, this week I started back to school, well kind of. I took some optional training about implementing Reader's/Writer's workshop in my classroom. Last year, with the help of my mentor/teaching partner, I did the workshop model, but never had any formal training.

Here are some feelings I am having:

-I LOVE the workshop model, it really is fabulous.
-It's going to be very expensive to implement this. I need book tubs, post-its, notebooks, tabs, and much more. This will all have to come out of pocket. YIKES.
-I don't get paid again until Sept, therefore coming up with the money is going to be a challenge.
-It's a lot of work, but I am ready to dive right in. (Ask me in January if I am dragging yet)
-I am still trying to figure out the scheduling aspect of it in terms of what it will look like in my daily schedule.

And last but not least,

My brain is overflowing with ideas, tips, and questions that I am really unsure of where to start. So this school year, follow my workshop journey as I adventure through the process.

Have any tips, tricks, or fabulous websites?! I will take all the help I can get.

Book Recommendations for the classroom!

Wow, it's almost JULY! The end of the year proved to be the most stressful time during my entire first year of teaching, that is why I didn't update the blog. We had a lot going on at school, then a few days off and summer school started right away. Luckily, summer school is over and it's time to spend the next few weeks relaxing letting my creativity juices flow!

Recently, I have been doing a lot of reflecting kicking myself in the rear for forgetting things and putting some things off. One of these pieces is book recommendations in the classroom. It is SOO important to let students share what they are reading not only to me, but also to their peers. During summer school, I really learned the value and excitement stirred up by student recommendations.

I had several books suggested to me during summer school and the kids were anxious to share the adventurous plots, unique characters, and overall quality of the books. My goal for this coming school year to have an entire bulletin board devoted to sharing book recommendations for my students. What better way to get everyone pumped up about reading!

Since I will be starting this, I decided that I would make it a goal to read several of the Mark Twain nominees over the summer so that I start my school year with a healthy dose of recommendations for my kids to be reading!

I have developed a very short book recommendation for my kids. I didn't want to make it too lengthy because I don't want them to become overwhelmed or feel that they were doing a long boring book report. I also wrote short "reports" on some of the books that I have already read for the summer as well!

Check it out! Feel free to use my book recommendation form or doctor it up to fit your needs! Click on the links below to access the google doc.

Book Recommendation Form

Mrs. Davidson's Recommendations