Super Sentences

Using Sentence Strips to Create Super Sentences

As teachers, we are always looking for ways to highlight strong writing from our students.  One of my favorite methods is with my "Superb Sentences" door.  At the top of my classroom door I post a sign labeled "Superb Sentences."   Underneath we (the students and myself) have fun collecting all the amazing sentences students constructed throughout the day!  When a student writes a spectacular sentence, we place that sentence with the appropriate author's name on the door for all to see and admire.  Here's where the enjoyment comes: we discuss, as a class, why this is a superb sentence.  At the end of the month, there is a large collection of exciting and new sentences.  We graph our sentences by their beginnings, genre, length, etc.  This is just another way to have the students talk about their strong writing.  At the start of each new month, we laminate the previous month's sentences and store them in our classroom library for the students to reference.  It's incredible to see how the students' writing improves because of this activity.  Plus, they love it!

Easy Management of Your Classroom Library!

Throughout the years, I have tried several methods to manage my classroom libraries.  Some created too much work for us while others simply failed.  Except for this one!!  This new system is easy, kid-friendly, and quick!

Visit your local home improvement store.  At the paint section, ask them for enough paint sticks for each child in your classroom.  Label each paint stick at the top with a student number.  After I alphabetize my students' last names, I give each one a number starting with one.  (I write this number on their name tags too).  Every student now has his/her book shopping stick.  Since all of my books in my classroom library are in bins, the students simply place their sticks in the bin in which they want to read one of the books.  The sticks stay in the book tubs until the students have finished reading their books.  When a student is done with his/her book, he/she takes the book back to the library and finds his/her numbered stick, puts the book back, and takes his/her stick.  

Now, I do not have a basket filled with books needing to be reshelved.  This method also saves time.  The students are no longer searching for the baskets to put their books away.  

You could have the students decorate their shopping sticks with images of things they like to read. This would be a great way to gauge what genres your students are reading so you could help them find books they may like to read.  

Encouraging Thinking!

I've come up with a list of effective strategies to use when teaching your class.  These methods can be used during whole group instruction as well as smaller groups and one-on-one conferences.

1.  Use wait time!  After asking a question, wait at least 5 seconds before saying anything.  If the question is difficult, wait at least 10-20 seconds.  It takes time for students to formulate answers.   Plus, anxiety levels rise if the students feel they do not have enough time to process their answers.

2.  Use "think-pair-share."   This requires all students to participate.  If there is a child that does not know the answer, he/she is able to hear from a peer.  This sharing will help stimulate his/her thinking. When the students are sharing the answers, have the pair share each other's answers.  Also, you can have the students discuss what they learned from their partners' answers.  Have the students describe how they came up with their answers.  What evidence are they using to arrive at their answers?  At the end of the lesson, students can journal what new learning they had during the whole group lesson.

3.  Stop answering the questions you ask.  It sounds silly, but it happens all too often.  If the students are not able to answer your question, rephrase the question, or give a small clue.  The Common Core Standards require students to use higher-level thinking and evidence from the text.  Our questioning should provoke this type of thinking.

4.  Keep the whole group lesson under 15 minutes.  Studies show that attention spans do not last longer than 15 minutes.  It is shorter for younger students.

5.  Cold call.  Put the students' names on popsicle sticks and draw one to have that student answer the question.  This will increase participation because the students will not know which student you are going to call on next.  You could also put the desks in pods, number each pod and then assign each seat in the pod a number.  This method works well if you have several different classes of students. (For example; pod three chair two, please answer the question).  However, you may want to have the students discuss answers with their neighbors before having one share his/her answer.  It is vital you create a safe environment so students feel comfortable sharing their answers and thoughts.  If the student does not know the answer, try saying, "if you did know the answer, what would you say."  It's amazing how often this works!

6.  Ask questions that have more than one correct answer.  The students should read the text closely and use evidence to support their answers.  Challenge students to answer the question with several answers.  Have them discuss how each answer can be correct.  Ask them to figure out what evidence truly supports the answer and which evidence is not strong enough.  This spurs the students to use their higher-level thinking and reasoning skills.

Clever Idea for Bathroom Passes

As the excitement of the new school year approaches, I wanted to share one of my favorite teacher ideas!  We all have bathroom passes for our students.  By the end of the school year (or sometimes sooner), these lovely items need to be thrown away because they are so dirty.  Not any more!

My new bathroom passes are on hand sanitizer bottles.  Each bottle is labeled either girl's or boy's. When a student needs to use the restroom, he/she takes the appropriate bottle and places it on top of his/her desk.  When the student returns, he/she puts the pass back, BUT must take a squirt of the hand sanitizer.  This way, I know the kids have at least used the sanitizer.  :)

Below are two examples.

Click here for a PDF version

Click here for a PDF version


After printing out the pictures, tape each one to a bottle of hand sanitizer.  I use packaging tape to really secure these on the bottles.  When they run out, I refill them using another bottle.

Graphics are from www.MyCuteGraphics.com

Great new book!

Need something to read this summer?  Well, look no further.  I recently read the book The Reading Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo.

Throughout this text, the author provides countless "reading recipes" and ways to improve these to best meet the needs of elementary school learners.  Ms. Serravallo offers suggestions to adjust the instruction for various teaching styles.  There are three hundred strategies, many anchor charts, goal setting ideas for students, and "Hat Tips" from leading teacher-authors!

I highly recommend this book as it is my new favorite "go to" for reading strategies ideas!