Cultivating Strategic Readers!

Truthfully, I am SO excited that state testing is just about over (aside from Math), because I am so excited to try out new reading strategies with my kiddos.  Now that we don't have to squeeze in any test prep stuff, I can use the extra time to get my thirdsters to dig deeper, use strategies, reflect on their own learning, and ultimately read more proficiently!  Also, since I'm conducting two workshops over the summer with two teaching buddies on comprehension strategies and strategic learning,  I figured that I probably need to experiment a little bit more with my own students first to determine what to share and what to let go this time.  :)  I'm hoping to post about some of these activities next week... but if you're interested in trying them out with your students in the meantime, you can check it out the 67 pager HERE!

Also, I am sorry to announce that I don't have a TON of pictures or activities to share this week due to the OAA and a sick day.  On Monday, we made test prep chains... and instead of doing individual chains... we made them into two long chains... one per class.  This activity was great for reviewing the essential skills on the last day before the test!

We also reviewed contractions, compound words, synonyms and antonyms using centers from Cara and Made 1st First Grade!  I used their weather centers to do a really simple center-based review of skills that ALWAYS show up on the OAA.

Other than that, we tested... and I spent a day at home with a terrible cold.  :)   See... my life is super exciting!

Oh, and of course I have to share this little test day gift from one of my students.  You know that they are pumped to take the OAA when they make their own "Rock the OAA" posters at home... Yay!  Have a great night, friends! :)