Yesterday I started the big job of starting to focus on what some of the MAYS will be for the year. This is a daunting task! I decided to start with the old standby "main idea". It seems that there are always some 5th graders who still struggle with main idea.
Talk about daunting tasks! There are so many resources for main idea and trying to decide where to begin was a bit nerve wrecking. At first I was writing down resources I was finding online and then thought that was crazy. The last thing I need is more paper. I sort of have problem with organization, although my AP calls a desk like mine evidence of genius. :) So I decided to open a Google Doc and put all the information there.
Now that I was organized with the Doc I could really dig into finding resources online and think about what I already had on hand. I found a video on SchoolTube that I could use for homework or morning work for those without Internet access. Sort of stole the idea from a colleague, Elizabeth Clarke, who is on her own adventure to change the way she teaches. Here's a link to her blog, this post is about flipping her classroom. http://fourthlevelofel.blogspot.com/2013/06/flippin-out.html After that I started coming up with group work activities as well as individual activities.
Since these activities are MAYS my students will decide if main idea needs to be something they focus on. I will use CARS as one way for them to make that decision. Also, I hope that regardless of the CARS results they decide if they need to work on it.
The other part that I worked on was setting up an example of the Reader's Notebook. I have deviated away from the notebook over the last few years. I had students keeping everything in their binders and considered that the notebook. For most students that worked out fine but for the disorganized and doodlers it was a nightmare. They could never find anything when they needed it, except a large collection of drawings scattered throughout. It didn't seem to really bother them as much as it did me and their parents.
So I decided that I would set up the RN the way that I wanted it to look. It will include space for them to write down something from everything they do. It starts with a title page for the marking period that they can decorate as they wish and the next page will be for data during that marking period. For the daily pages, it will include space for a daily and/or weekly goal; a homework log; whole group work notes or work we do together; group work notes and activities; and what they do for independent work. The parts will change from day to day depending on what we do together and they choose to do. Each day has two important parts that they will need to do. The first will be to give themselves an Effort mark, which they will do using a rubric that I have posted in my room, and the other section is for a peer review. Each day a peer will review that work and write one encouraging note and sign it. This keeps everyone accountable and hopefully will make them aware that they can't just waste the day.
The final section is done on the last day of the week. It will include a written summary, by the student,to their parents of what they did that week. This way students can reflect on what they did and parents will know as well. Of course parents can look back over the week and see what has been done, but hopefully this will reinforce the need to be responsible. I will ask parents to sign this as well.
Of course, I can look at a student's RN at anytime as well. This way we can have discussions about their work, their choices, and their effort. Ultimately, I hope the RN will be the best way for them to demonstrate responsibility for the learning in ELA.
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