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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Literacy Work Stations-Making Centers Work** Chapter 1

Well, this summer I'm reading Literacy Work Stations; Making Centers Work by Debbie Diller.  So I thought I'd blog a little about the highlights from each chapter.  Even if you don't have your centers set up this way, I'm sure you can learn a little from this book. I am!

Chapter 1: What is a Literacy Work Station?
Literacy work station is an area in your classroom where students work and learn together.  Two students are usually in a center at a time. I have done work stations this way in the past we just called them Literacy circles.  The main difference is that once you have introduced literacy work stations they are not changed all year. 
Some of the highlights are that teachers need to model then gradually release responsibility until students can have total independence.
Debbie's Non-Negotiables:
* Focus on practice and purpose not just the stuff of stations.
*Link to your teaching
*Slow down to speed up.  Take it slow in the beginning.  You won't regret it.
* Balance process and product.
*Less is more
* Use novelty
*Simplify

OK so there are a few I need to work on...
It is so hard in the beginning of the school year to want to introduce it all so that you can get going with guided reading.  But really you need to go slow so that when it is time to start guided reading you can focus on guided reading not what the kids are doing. The students need to be independent first!! 
I think I need to remember...less is more. As I was cleaning out my classroom I found so many things and asked myself "Why?"  I had so many things I that I have bought over the years and have never used.  This move will be good for me to rethink how I use my stuff and get rid of the things that I don't need. 
Do you use the Literacy Work Stations Model?  Do you like it?  I'd love some feedback from people that have.  I'm excited to use this method.  I have use Daily 5 the past four years and love it but my new school uses Literacy Work Stations.  Any ideas would be helpful?

Oh ok course I can't leave without sharing my latest and greatest!!  I finally figured out how to bundle my writing centers!  It took forever to upload it to TPT but it's there!  22 centers to use all year. If you would like any other ones you don't see let me know. 

Writing Centers Bundled

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Writing Centers and news.....

Well, I have been busy making some easy work on writing centers.  I love these.  The kids love to sit in front of the pocket chart with a clipboard and write. 
I made a new school items for the beginning of the school year and a community helpers writing center.  I also made some number centers. One is 0-10 and the other is 10-20 number words. I just made color words also.  I'm working on a shape one to be up soon.  Once I figure out how to bundle all of them I will. Click on the picture of each to go directly to my TPT store!




 


Well with only 7 days left of school it's crazy!  Today we had a record high of 100 degrees.  WHEW!  That's a hot one.  It's crazy that 12 days ago we had snow falling.  This Nebraska weather is crazy!! 

In my classroom we are learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. Luckily we had all 5 caterpillars form into their crystallis!  YAY!  Hoping they come out before school is out!  We might be cutting it close.

Well...............................Now the news.......................
Next year I will finally graduate from Kindergarten. After 11 years, I will move to 1st grade.  I took another job at another district.  It is a time of a lot of changes!  I'm excited, sad, nervous, and happy all at the same time!  I know the next week isn't going to be easy for me to leave my school. It was the first job I had out of college.  It's where I grew as a teacher and person. I had all three of my kids while teaching there and have grown to know and love everyone. Some of my best friends are there! Such a bittersweet move!  I just wish I could get through a day without crying.  I'm such a wreck! Wish me luck! 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/LisaBohaty

Monday, May 6, 2013

It's a SALE!!

It's Teacher Appreciation week!  I have put everything in my store on sale on TPT!  When you enter TAD13 you will receive an extra discount from TPT.  Go check it out!!  Enjoy!