“Can’t live without doing” during my close reading lessons
Posted on September 16, 2014Share This Content
teaching with informational texts
Lesson: Teaching Term Perseverant Through… – Part 1
Posted on December 30, 2013Lesson Experience: Teaching for deep understanding of “perseverance” through close reading, student-led conversations, and argument writing. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of working with sixth grade students on the west side of Chicago. This year they have been engaged in units of study focused on essential questions like “What is culture?” and “How …Read more
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Displaying Nonfiction in Your Classroom Library
Posted on August 11, 2013Here’s a model for displaying nonfiction in your classroom library. Notice how the books are facing forward in baskets – easy to flip through and find a title of interest. Also, if you zoom in, you’ll see the books are categorized and coded – “Transportation NF#5.” The codes are marked on the back of the …Read more
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Nonfiction Author Study – Moving preK-1 Towards Close Reading
Posted on July 22, 2013Last year I had the honor of working with two kindergarten teachers who immersed their students in nonfiction author studies. Late in the spring they led a two week author study – week one on Steve Jenkins’ books and week two on Nic Bishop’s books. Monday-Wednesday or Thursday, they read aloud a book and …Read more
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Conferring with 2nd Grade Reader
Posted on October 19, 2012Yesterday I conferred with a second grader who was reading The Moon by Deborah Eaton (written at a late 2nd grade level). When I approached her, I started by saying, “What are you reading about?” She responded with “the moon.” I followed by asking, “What have you learned about the moon so far?” This question …Read more
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Last week I had the honor of visiting multiple schools and giving demonstration lessons in 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms. For each lesson, there were 10-15 teachers observing. Afterwards we debriefed about methodology and evidence of student learning. Some amazing insight was gained – as well as a sense of affirmation for what they are …Read more