"Read with a Pencil"

 Students learn to "Read with a Pencil".  Some call this active reading, or close reading.  Whatever you call it, it helps students to read purposefully and closely.  Introduce the concept, model it and use the gradual release of responsibility.  Here students practice reading with a pencil using sticky notes then they add it to their journals.  Using sticky notes also helps us to 'connect' our learning.  Use the notes to put similar information together.  Then notes can be used to write summaries, make connections from old to newly learned information.  The uses are unlimited!!!!

"Ticket To Leave"

 The "ticket to leave" is a quick one-step type of formative assessment.  Just pose a question and have students write the answer on the ticket slip at the end of your lesson.  Separate the responses into three piles: "definitely got it", "almost got it", "needs more practice".  Use these piles to determine if more whole group instruction is needed or use them as a guide to your 'flexible grouping' groups.  This is one of the simplest and most powerful forms of formative assessment that I use in the classroom.

Small Group Instruction

My favorite part of the day is small group instruction.  While I am working with a group of students, other students are busy at their literacy work stations.  (more on that in another post)
-Deb

Lap Book

Here is our lapbook on Pilgrims.  

Common Core Notebooks

With the new teacher evaluation system, I have found that keeping Common Core Notebooks not only give students and parents a snapshot at their learning throughout the year, but can also be used as evidence for teacher evaluations.  Now that's what I call getting a 'big bag for your buck'!  You can find these common core notebooks a thttp://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Yvonne-Dixon .  Her blog is called 'sassyinsecond'...be sure to check it out for fabulous ideas.  She also has the Common Core Notebook on other grade levels.  Enjoy!
 -Deb

Tickets to Leave!

Tickets to leave are by far one of the best formative assessments I use.  At the beginning of the class, students are given the objective of the lesson and the guiding question.  At the end of instruction, students simply respond to the guiding question using the ticket to leave.  The responses give me an accurate picture of how well the concept was learned.  Based on these assessments I can adjust my instruction accordingly.  Many times, the guiding question will be the same throughout the week...I love how their responses will become more in depth as the week progresses because of their learning.

Reading Logs

During independent reading time, I check to make sure students have recorded their reading for the day and have a short conference about what they are reading.  Viewing the reading logs also allows me to see the genre a student is working on and to make sure they have a variety of stories.  At first, these reading logs are located in their 'book bags', then are put into their reading binders.  At the end of the year they have an account of everything they have read.