Are you back to school yet? Here in NJ, we have about two more weeks, but on Wednesday our district opens the doors to teachers so we can start getting our rooms in order.
I'm excited for this year! If you remember, last year I moved to a new grade level in a new building. It was an awesome change for me, but nerve-wracking to say the least. Anytime you make a big change like that, even if it's for the better, it's stressful!
Anyway, I had the BEST year last year and now I feel so much more confident in my new spot. I'm so excited and ready to begin this school year!
Back-to-school prep has been in full-swing in my house for the last week. Last year, I put most of my focus on my writing lesson plans.
I was able to get my writing plans together last year (available here) and over the summer, I Brooke Brown-ed my curriculum.
This is what a full year of organized writing instruction looks like!
Each case is labeled and full of beautiful pink and turquoise file folders that contains each day's lesson and materials. (Laminated anchor posters included!!)
I'm excited for this year! If you remember, last year I moved to a new grade level in a new building. It was an awesome change for me, but nerve-wracking to say the least. Anytime you make a big change like that, even if it's for the better, it's stressful!
Anyway, I had the BEST year last year and now I feel so much more confident in my new spot. I'm so excited and ready to begin this school year!
Back-to-school prep has been in full-swing in my house for the last week. Last year, I put most of my focus on my writing lesson plans.
I was able to get my writing plans together last year (available here) and over the summer, I Brooke Brown-ed my curriculum.
This is what a full year of organized writing instruction looks like!
Each case is labeled and full of beautiful pink and turquoise file folders that contains each day's lesson and materials. (Laminated anchor posters included!!)
Swoon!!!!!!!!!
(Here is one of my cute little helpers :)
So, now that writing is all ready to go, my focus this year will be on reading.
This year, I'm beginning by introducing nonfiction with Reading Nonfiction: Notice and Note Stances, Signposts, and Strategies (Beers and Probst). This will lead us into Article of the Week, which is a big part of my program (and the only homework I give).
My hope is that after working with nonfiction and the Notice and Note signposts for NF, the kids will get a lot more out of the AoW.
Next, I'll spend most of October introducing Reader's Workshop and the Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading. This will set the kids up for the rest of the year in Reader's Workshop (which constitutes a little less than half of my reading period).
Then, come the end of October, I'll be ready to dive into my reading lessons :)
I'm excited to work on my reading program this year! We teach with great short stories, poems, literary nonfiction, and novels, and now I'll be able to give them my proper attention.
So... that's enough from me! Are you back to school yet? How is it going? Or are you prepping at your kitchen table like I am because you've still got a few more weeks? I'd love to hear from you!
And by the way...
This is happening tomorrow!! So many great deals for one day ONLY!!
Happy Teaching!!
(In reading this post back to myself, I can't get over how many times I used the word "year." Annoying, right?!? But how else can you say it, lol!!)
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