Say Goodbye to the Pool...Hello to the Classroom!

You are probably angry just seeing this picture! But slow your breathing.... :) 

As summer comes to an end (somewhat- I know it's still July!) us teachers get ready to head back to the place we are needed- our classrooms! I love summer as much as anyone else but I do get genuinely excited to start the new year. It's a fresh slate filled with new school supplies, new faces, and new lessons that we have been pondering over the summer. 

There is so much that goes into returning to your classroom for the school year. I know I think about the following: 

1. Do I want my desks in rows to help me learn names the first few weeks? 

2. Do I want my desks in tables so my students can get acclimated with the group work? 

3. How many days will I span my "Getting to Know You" activities and classroom procedures? 

4. Are there any procedures I want to adjust from previous years? 

5. When will my students have library orientation? 

The list goes on but we all know we still deserve to enjoy our summer! No matter what grade you teach there are certain ideas racing through your mind in the days leading up to the first day of school, and at the forefront for me is Reader's Workshop. 

Reader's Workshop Philosophy

In 6th grade, my students have two English courses and we balance the two by alternating which class will be running workshop during a given quarter. My class will have workshop until October to start the year, and I tried many new ideas last year that I would like to iron out this year. 

Two phenonminal resources that I have used are: 

Reading Workshop: Creating Space for Readers by Frank Serafini

Reading Zone: How to Help Kids Become Skilled, Passionate, Habitual, Critical Readers by Nancie Atwell

These two authors provide great insight for how to set up workshop in your classroom and practices to use with your students. 

Click HERE to hear from Nancie Atwell on the "Reading Zone" 

Laying at the Pool= Making Lists of Ideas for Workshop

If there is one thing a teacher can do well it's multitasking. While enjoying long summer afternoons at the pool, I justify my relaxation time by bringing my journal and writing down ideas that come to me on those warm afternoons. Here are some ideas I have for workshop in my classroom in the fall: 

1. Literature Response Logs: Serafini uses these with his students and they are a great upgrade to the traditional "reading logs" we have all used at one point or another. It keeps students honest with their reading, but is more authentic and purposeful.

Response Log Draft

Response Log Expectations Draft

2. Atwell has a wonderful way for students to categorize books they read: 

Holidays, Just Rights, & Challenges 

I will have my students categorize their books in this way, and encourage them to read a variety from each category. 

3. I want a way to be sure students can avoid distractions when they read. Atwell puts a sign on her door during silent reading. I think my students would enjoy knowing there is a sign that prevents intruders from disturbing our valuable reading time! 

We can still soak up the sun, and more importantly soak up these last few weeks of summer. Keep the ideas you have this summer and know there is a wonderful place for them waiting in your classroom!