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Monday, April 21, 2014

I'm BAAACK!!!

Wow, that was TOUGH staying away from blogging entirely (especially going into Bloglovin once a week to mark almost 200 posts as read without even glimpsing at the titles), but I can definitely say that I am refreshed and ready to go!

Today was our first day back from Spring Break, and it's crunch time for us. We have 3 1/2 weeks before SOL testing begins, and there are only 8 1/2 weeks left of school. Eek!! I have so much left to teach and review!

Right now, I'm working on context clues with my 3rd and 4th grade students. I bought this book a few years back, and it's great! The book focuses on eight different strategies to help, so I went through and made copies of the ones my students tend to struggle with the most. They have already shown some growth, but we still need to practice a LOT.

Using Context Clues To Help Kids Tackle Unfamiliar Words

In 5th grade, I began a poetry/figurative language focus before break. I bought Kathleen's (Middle Grades Maven) Poetry Analysis booklet that has been the perfect review. The kids are really enjoying the poems, which are just the right level for them. And the questions really get them to think more in-depth about what the poem is trying to say. They still can't label most of the figurative language on their own, but I'm just excited that they can usually explain what the author meant by it!

Poetry Analysis Booklet

On the blogging end, I'm going to start getting everything ready for my big giveaway (right now I'm sitting at 850 followers - wow!) and hope to post it by the weekend. I've already got some amazing blogger friends signed up to help, but if you would like to join me in the celebration, the form is here. I will, of course, list your blog and hopefully send some new followers your way!

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5 comments:

  1. Amanda D!April 21, 2014 at 5:43 PM

    Did you give blogging up for Lent? I was wondering why I hadn't seen you post recently. Well welcome back!

    -Amanda
    Kindergarten Teacher at the Wheel

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  2. CourtneyApril 21, 2014 at 7:05 PM

    Glad to have you back!! We are in crunch time as well! This is a great book to use for context clues - lots of great practice sheets and this is always something my kiddos struggle with!
    Courtney
    Polka Dot Lesson Plans

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  3. Elementary EngagementApril 22, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    Thank you for the context clues resource. I am always looking for things to help in that area. I believe that is one of the most important reading skills.

    Mary

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  4. AnonymousApril 22, 2014 at 8:32 PM

    Glad to have you back! As a fellow VA blogger- I am in SOL crunch mode too! I LOVE that Scholastic Book! I just bought one this year on graphic organizers for short passages, and it really fits the new SOL testing format - no multiple choice! I am filling out your 800 follower giveaway -- I'm doing a 100 follower giveaway! Would you be interested in joining?

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  5. Andrea CrawfordApril 23, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    Welcome back! I have missed reading your posts!! We start testing TODAY and have less than 5 weeks left of school, 23 days to be exact! I am not looking forward to it because I am bound to get bored! Good luck on your tests!! Looks like you are working hard to prepare your students.

    Andrea
    Reading Toward the Stars

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