Synthesizing

One of my first purchases from TPT was from Amanda Nickerson at One Extra Degree. I have to say, it has been my favorite and most used purchase. (You can check it out by clicking the picture.)

 

Each comprehension strategy is tied to a tool.

 This is the toolkit I made using Amanda's instructions. 

(I added the caution boarder. I also labeled each of the tools.)

 

My students loved to use the toolkit. It was great for my visual and tactile learners. 

I ended the year with synthesizing. We learned this cute poem I found on Pinterest. (The link no longer works. =( So if this is your's, please leave a comment so I can credit you! )

I also recreated the toolman. He's from Scrappin Doodles. The kids helped label and define all the strategies.

We read a few poems and charted our synthesizing on this. 

Then to show what their synthesizing, they read a poem and completed their own graphic organizer.

At the end of the week, and after much practice, the students selected their own text. They used this graphic organizer to show their thinking.

 I have gone back and tweaked it some. I added some anchor chart statements to help the students create "I am thinking" statements. 

Grab your copy here!

Making Predictions

Hi there! I was a guest blogger over at Kindergarten Lifestyles this week.

Here's the post in case you missed it!

If your class is anything like mine, we spend a lot of time making predictions. I thought I'd share what I do with my students. 

In my room, I keep my comprehension anchor charts displayed in the library area for the students to use for reference. This is the one I made for making predictions. The original idea came from The Inspired Apple.  (Abby has some amazing ideas!)

 

It will be made its way to my whole group area as we reviewed the skill this week. 

After reviewing what a prediction is and the different language used, I modeled  for the students how to make a prediction. I use 2 or 3 different photos to model making predictions. Then I show the students several pictures and have them make predictions about what they think is going to happen. 

 

This week I used this book.  My kids love Mo Willems!

After reading the bus driver's message, I asked the students to make predictions.

They recorder a picture and sentence on this recording sheet. 

 

After the students shared their predictions.  (I forgot to take pictures! ugh...) I continued reading the story, stopping throughout for the students to confirm their predictions or explain how their thinking about their prediction had changed. There are several different sheets I created for making predictions. You can find them at TPT if you are interested. As we progress through the skill. I use different response forms. My goal is for the students to make an original prediction and then stop throughout the story to think about their thinking. I want them to be able to realize and understand how their thinking has changed when reading. So that's how I teach making predictions. How bout you? I'd love to hear how you teach it!

Love To Joplin

My New Year's Resolution was to blog more...well, that ended quickly when I crashed my Mac! You realize how much you depend on your computer when you are without it! Needless to say, after a crazy amount of money and several days later...she has returned! I am one HAPPY blogger now...

As I was stalking this morning, I came across Mrs.Wills post. Mrs. Wills Kindergarten blog received an e-mail from a teacher in Joplin, where they were struck by an F5 tornado.... Here is what her email said:

I teach in Joplin, which made worldwide news last May when our town was cut in half by an F5 tornado. Many of our elementary schools were destroyed or damaged, and as teachers, we have had a roller coaster year. I came from a meeting yesterday where many are struggling with the weight of all we are dealing with. My request is this: would you be willing to donate a created pack of your choosing to give away at a drawing at our upcoming district Kindergarten grade level meeting? The meeting is Monday and I am sorry for the short notice but I did not realize until the meeting how down everyone is feeling.

So I am linking up my penguins math and literacy activities...for EVERYONE...just because teacher bloggers are wonderful and I feel like sharing the love! =) Happy Sunday! Please leave me some comment love...=)

Penguin literacy activities
Penguin Math Stations

Head over to Mrs. Wills to get in on the giving!

Making Predictions

I cannot believe we are at the end of October already! To celebrate 45 days complete in the school year..I am having a sale at Teacher's Notebook! Everything in my shop is 20% off...including my new mini-unit on making predictions.

Over the next 2 weeks, my students will be learning about making predictions. I have found with this particular bunch of students, the more pre-reading thinking and writing they do, the more concrete it becomes for them. They really struggle with comprehension. Is it just my class or do we have a whole generation of students who cannot think without guidance? They seem to want every answer given to them and if by chance they actually have a thought...they give me this pleading look of "I'm not really sure...but can you tell me if it's the RIGHT answer?" While they are as sweet as can be, I have a loooooonnnnnngggggg way to go with creating thinkers in my class.

Here is a sample from the Making Predictions mini-unit, which is 20% off in my Teacher's Notebook store!

Predictions Sample