tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11996231109526028482024-03-27T22:56:58.905-07:00Mrs. S Classroom Craziness6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-6633195247001959242021-08-03T12:20:00.008-07:002021-08-17T11:51:13.977-07:00Add Student Choice in Curriculum <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9c5ebae7-7fff-d192-5517-8407cf8b2f91"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 351px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="351" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QRvtkOw5KYflaB9MisZvnL2Fm1TTnbjb-_I4uUKndCm98vAOF1VGdlXQhOq39qgMwEemA99wrVjnmdWZYMUCgTwTp0gL7kJj48oGL8Difg7EAsNQ8sCQvaEU97i5uA5ohiTPaFkL" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello and welcome to the third edition of my summer blog series all to get our middle school students excited about reading. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out</span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 362px; overflow: hidden; width: 241px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-importance-of-print-rich.html" target="_blank"><img height="362" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/H-jOQtQlXMMCX63hkdu0gonxY9BGtCCd2idwX_ZhAdXPIwOI5rqBIm-GbKjza-_4BW6gOx1SyEp8kE4EYdVwpDvCJJx17mkijgGO8JgOT8xGVdZ8L7VU_bKxYxxvagukteEdsX_c" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="241" /></a> </span><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 364px; overflow: hidden; width: 241px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-classroom-library.html" target="_blank"><img height="364" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iVnuW0RtORXnfze1eJPRrYmX69mpnsUYRLzIZ0H1gZcv6Xtzq_XoxykjVTRCjhKfyYiH65fx6DrE6JtQ-_ssTZTh4J6jEFBs9FoJH40kf249a3_UvBI6Lib4lYk31w5GnzB5my_t" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="241" /></a></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-9ee90f16-7fff-61d0-1bae-95d0266cca3a"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-58249476-7fff-a46b-aa5f-0bd0a8c87c53"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, you will learn all about the importance of implementing student choice in your daily instruction. </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adolescents are more likely to invest in their education and learning when given a choice. Tomlinson and Allan (2000) state that students should choose at least a few factors with every assignment, including content, process, product, or conditions for learning. This means giving the students the opportunity to co-construct knowledge: a collaborative process where students learn from one another to expand their knowledge. When students are given choice, they invest in deep thinking needed for intellectual growth. Learning becomes more authentic and personalized. This creates a learning community where students’ lives and voices are intertwined in curriculum decisions and learning styles. When embedding student interest in all facets of learning, students will see and feel their lives are worthy of learning and reflection. Thus, they are more likely to engage in their literacy development. </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Giving students power over how they want to learn can feel scary and daunting. It can be hard to let go of the power, however, shifting your mindset will allow a beautiful transformation in your students' learning and yours too. Serving as a facilitator and noticing when you are needed as a presenter or instructor will help in fostering a learning environment where students see value in what they are reading, uplift their voices, help shape their identities. </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Communication is key when embedding more choice within your classroom. </span><a href="https://www.edutopia.org/profile/lauren-gehr" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gehr</span></a><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (2020) suggests communicating with students about what they are choosing and why. When students take ownership in their learning, including their mistakes, they become more self-aware when given choice in their learning. “By giving the students choice, you give them the choice to become independent learners with the autonomy to fail but also the autonomy for authentic engagement” (para. 5). </span></div><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getting Started<br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Start small and learn from your mistakes. Doing a major overhaul of your instruction and/or curriculum will cause frustration and burnout. I have found that the more changes I make, the more confusion it leads to later for students. Here are some suggestions to get started </span><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finding different ways for students to respond to prompts</span></li><ul><li><a href="https://www.peardeck.com/googleslides" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Pear Deck</span></a></li><li><a href="https://jamboard.google.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Google Jamboard</span></a></li><li><a href="https://padlet.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Padlet</span></a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/?lang=en" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Twitter</span></a></li><li><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sticky Notes </span></li><li><a href="https://web.seesaw.me/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Seesaw</span></a></li><li><a href="https://admin.flipgrid.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Flipgrid</span></a></li><li><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">One-Pagers</span></li></ul></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-749fbf18-7fff-6fcf-fb43-1e4129ef5f96"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 321px; overflow: hidden; width: 257px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Example of Google Jamboard provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img height="289" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/CnCixQWSkggVSJ_g20PNemW4CqRnd1r6sRRBJlqEm-2PE7BE423smlFKSexa_q2xa340sD0_gWtKZBDgs62nWSmLOu3WToxx_RdVTfDa5SaqGRNj28sAl9J2IdytHlnpfj4XwVRN=w257-h289" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="257" /> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-168fd548-7fff-fcc1-5160-aa1fb0891375"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 290px; overflow: hidden; width: 292px;"><img height="290" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/w-k4RigsqLdXT9kH5VI6Dakl2uhjXLYijUzfSMOsroH5qhhBPgGROWaifFp240zlI5hCFGnAueosWtG5szQHayZEPjJo4VoxonqzvPgB1CsInDp2fEGM_E3So1Oc77vIYwxMJ4Cy" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="292" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Example of using sticky notes to promote movement provided by Ashley Spratt</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-74c02d7d-7fff-5bfd-43c6-72ac0317d85c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make a plan and stick to it. As you start to implement new strategies and approaches, students will need scaffolding. The more examples they have of what is expected during their learning time, they will likely succeed. </span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-74c02d7d-7fff-5bfd-43c6-72ac0317d85c"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose one unit at a time. In my </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Freak the Mighty</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1993) unit, students focused on the essential questions, “How do the relationships that you have with others shape the person that you are? What does it mean to be a friend?” As we read through the text, there are different opportunities for students to explore texts that share different types of friendships and relationships. This allows students to develop their own understanding of the essential question. </span></span></li></ul><p></p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2c0264ab-7fff-ac55-edd5-2285bac49e22"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 238px; overflow: hidden; width: 423px;"><img height="238" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NPrwAbOyQl3cczHJ0SRgO5r9fRfpCZbRbNQW1BaWkJyn6bvB_SdBC77-pMo_hI2URfW5_ZRqPPYtXiSQWD4PHiiC0MdBLDu0BWxok-YAWREeIM93s0-jfXwRm6kdFxW7VnpP0kjS" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="423" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0e5e9271-7fff-d90b-0269-187ecea5c603"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Student choice is more than choosing a topic. It is about empowering students through the entire learning process. By embracing students’ creativity, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, using different avenues to support and enhance student learning will foster a rich learning environment. Here are a few ways to incorporate student choice in everyday learning and reading.</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-19162c41-7fff-4aff-6f43-70dff2211c70"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-pbl-boost-online-engagement?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdSHBhCdARIsAG6zhlXVPItLwN0nVqjPcag1CYrLPVnKXliW7cgWS0WBDxEw58KTzXBtgbAaAiYhEALw_wcB" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Project-Based Learning</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> is valuable when implementing choice for students—After students read chapter 19 in Freak the Mighty (1993) unit, having students participate in the trial of Killer Kane. Students are placed in groups: defense, plaintiffs, witnesses, and jury. Students never find out what happens to Killer Kane, Max’s dad, after the scene in chapter twenty-one, and this is the perfect opportunity for students to be creative and allow evidence from the text to support their findings. <br /></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Give students topic options</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. At the beginning of the year, survey your students' interests. This will give you the inside scoop on what motivates your students to read. As you construct your units for the year, refer back to this information if you face a mandated curriculum reflecting on how you can bring light to topics or issues your students find important or interesting. <br /></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">There is power in essential questions</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> (EQ). EQs are thought-provoking questions that help students effectively inquire and make sense of important and complex ideas and knowledge. This technique engages diverse thinking and learners. It invites students into ongoing debates and conversations and requires this to read more in a way that is interesting and compelling. Remember, our ultimate goal is to get adolescent readers to see the value in reading to learn. Examples of essential questions are:</span></li><ul><li>Who is entitled to own what?</li><li>What makes writing worth reading?</li><li>To what extent is US history a history of progress?</li><li>What is the value of place value?</li></ul></ul><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-8b5d3d8f-7fff-cf31-1e5e-13912d09a63c"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Use this </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SdZDnCpJtfYoK7tV60jFyEkWLqGiFdZnZAT1jqaIvYw/copy" target="_blank">guide</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> to help you construct your own essential questions. </span></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Allow students to choose what they read</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. In my recent blog post, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-classroom-library.html" target="_blank">The Classroom Library</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> I talked about the importance of independent reading. </span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">When students have the ability to self-select texts and are provided time to read independently, this alone motivates, engages, and fosters habitual readers. Giving students options to select texts during instruction time in the form of book clubs is another way to embed student choice. Book clubs tie into the overall “big idea(s)” of the unit. Adolescents are social creatures. Gallegher and Kittle (2018) state book clubs strengthen classroom community, causal, and academic conversations between students. When students have the opportunity to choose which topic they want to dive deeper into, students will take ownership over their learning and be eager to share their thoughts and opinions with their peers. Keep in mind that book clubs will need:</span></li><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt;">High-interest books</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt;">Provide a wide range of text complexity</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt;">Provide scaffolding support</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt;">Observe groups frequently to monitor progress and comprehension </span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt;">Have group members create goals and jobs</span></li></ul></ul></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d36bf75-7fff-70e8-7f59-fc43e12dfee9"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 238px; overflow: hidden; width: 422px;"><img height="238" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e7FqnG8k4q9N-yjAOxXrNHnEMdsnD2ApuiSmvoDSHWgLTXkWoXR2LawenQGYfi60Lzu6QNUX7gs6SghaHKfDZ6g4ULrPGcenpIlKYEaAk9JXcePWFg1t4oIa6YgMt5NslImNuBXG" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="422" /></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-612ee2ce-7fff-9a76-cce8-41d7c25dcab0"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Some teachers work best when they have a resource that allows me to get my thoughts on a page. Reflecting and goal setting is a critical component of teaching. Here you will find two versions, trimester and quarter breakdown, of a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SdZDnCpJtfYoK7tV60jFyEkWLqGiFdZnZAT1jqaIvYw/copy" target="_blank">professional goal setting sheet</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. After accessing the sheet, think about the following questions:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">How can you bring student choice into your classroom?</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What resonated with you and pushes you to make immediate changes? Remember, it’s important to start small and work your way up!</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What scares you most about making changes?</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2ce427b4-7fff-0e1c-ed96-f9477812d7d6"><div style="color: #292929; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This post is a part of a four-week summer series all focused on getting your middle school students to see the importance of reading. Head to the next in the series titled,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 318px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 212px;"><img height="318" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1aSJeQfl-48gFWwruGIC7pVbJ6YZpvo4HoCAGgeqMSZqPPPhIcGNLup466L-qoEdkH_574PbqdOPDY1GudkUrjP__AN1Qs5-Lyx3dWnoJjOVcyXpSjiOYaWRMyRxYwps5y1Nigpm" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="212" /></span></div><div style="color: #292929; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a743c60b-7fff-bb17-d84a-cd4b25ce77a4"></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Connect with me!</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="mailto:mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">@mrssclassroomcraziness</span></p><span style="color: #1d1a1a;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 120px; overflow: hidden; width: 120px;"><img height="120" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fEZa-_eXnR6KlkRXW0oB5KcvAuR_UOAT1kD-4_7pkI1FLpzFkyg5axeMZbps29uk8iRpHphmuEa91lRrBc6KIcqC4ld84kL4qLYpE8wcOKXP6fg9tk6iEhE1ym-T5Udj7pa38V-u" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="120" /></span></span></p><span style="color: #1d1a1a;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">-----------------------------------------------------------</span></p><div style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Want to learn more? Check out these reads!<br /></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tomlinson, C. A., & Allan, S. D. (2000). Leadership for Differentiating Schools and Classrooms. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2fb584d8-7fff-e179-06e5-376eac21825c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-make-student-choice-work"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Give Students More Choice<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></a><a href="https://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-strategies-more-voice-choice-students-rebecca-alber" style="color: #1d1a1a; text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">5 Ways to Give Your Students More Voice and Choice<br /></span></a><a href="https://medium.com/synapse/10-ways-to-incorporate-student-choice-in-your-classroom-e07baa449e55" style="color: #1d1a1a; text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">10 Ways to Incorporate Student Choice in Your Classroom<br /></span></a><a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-pbl-boost-online-engagement?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdSHBhCdARIsAG6zhlXVPItLwN0nVqjPcag1CYrLPVnKXliW7cgWS0WBDxEw58KTzXBtgbAaAiYhEALw_wcB" style="color: #1d1a1a; text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Using Project-Based Learning to Boost Online Engagement<br /></span></a><a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-pbl-boost-online-engagement?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdSHBhCdARIsAG6zhlXVPItLwN0nVqjPcag1CYrLPVnKXliW7cgWS0WBDxEw58KTzXBtgbAaAiYhEALw_wcB" style="color: #1d1a1a; text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Using Project-Based Learning to Boost Online Engagement</span></a></div><p style="color: #1d1a1a; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p></span></div><div style="color: #292929; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-77ad1f3e-7fff-ea9a-2f75-3b258f498b1b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div style="color: #292929;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span></div></div>6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-15144680463247011552021-08-03T12:18:00.005-07:002021-08-04T05:58:34.866-07:00Connecting with Families<div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9c5ebae7-7fff-d192-5517-8407cf8b2f91"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 351px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="351" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QRvtkOw5KYflaB9MisZvnL2Fm1TTnbjb-_I4uUKndCm98vAOF1VGdlXQhOq39qgMwEemA99wrVjnmdWZYMUCgTwTp0gL7kJj48oGL8Difg7EAsNQ8sCQvaEU97i5uA5ohiTPaFkL" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello and welcome to the fourth and </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINAL</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> edition of my summer blog series all to get our middle school students excited about reading. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 295px; overflow: hidden; width: 201px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-importance-of-print-rich.html" target="_blank"><img height="295" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GVO1LEJeMbVQsb0Yk2mvFQbaP30hPJuZqRAlPCgEZ-ZAQzboaPirbMWB9iNkmon7BHr5F4P0NHWm7eLWf8G-r-v5av55CdTDeVtf7tHj2_kFn3P9Br29shB1iACTUPBJRd9nIeqb" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="201" /></a></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4a51e66-7fff-16ec-1aee-7083b8c3ee79"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 296px; overflow: hidden; width: 188px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-classroom-library.html" target="_blank"><img height="296" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HQawZDK9YRLOZiBsdM8m4RLibUbRCNhv-0w8bS5PpYYa3ZUFMKwEsjmhAHn5B9dcPEKzL1w0db2gtkOz_uU2hCeQjCMkeNj1h0N3Vwye0eDlh68HhFoInfufs8zzK3ibcQGJKN5E" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="188" /></a></span><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 295px; overflow: hidden; width: 194px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/07/add-student-choice-in-curriculum.html" target="_blank"><img height="295" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZAOPdnNIZTvi-mDThk9_DpF8YoKW30VHLwj18HeOHD2jRWJY8enQHPLjsuNfBXhqeTya4GX-K7tKeZ38i0e1jvUZIpIoqV9mNXxr1fJ2a0zuT04aGEZsre_UEbps86PtX0qXP0oc" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="194" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-72f9d710-7fff-eaf0-b67d-f89ae44982b0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, you will learn about the importance of involving families in their children’s reading and strategies to use to get middle schoolers reading at home. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Families are a student’s first teachers and they remain central throughout students’ academic careers. For many middle schoolers, their first encounter with literacy is at home, however, this isn’t always the case. Many of our students are primary caregivers after they leave our classroom, leaving little time to focus on academics and personal activities, such as reading. The American Psychology Association (2010) found as many 1.4 million U.S children between the ages of 8 to 18 are caring for a parent, grandparent, or sibling(s). Most of our adolescent caregivers are from low-income, single-parent households (para. 2). </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is also a strong correlation between the families’ perspectives and beliefs about reading that impact an adolescent’s view. Our students develop their interests and attitudes towards reading through experiences and actions they see at home. So, how can we offset this trend? How can we support our families so that our middle schoolers are reading outside of school? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3bbf1369-7fff-4220-8e60-759934f5aa3a"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 156px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="156" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EAgI_L20AgxzHhQnVvSEQOePqpdJzb4u3w_jKcjOk6QLdFmovBSi5G3GVtJnKbi6R4VCSJv0qmWyqcsxihYaoh5aOttpAgWwvNndJ1id7N4pIL715RmDC--LrhYM1aqQltgRpLzA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8b439f02-7fff-8fe5-24dc-dba39725f88b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Developing a plan to communicate with families often is a critical step in increasing reading engagement at home. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as monthly phone calls, parent-teacher connection apps, newsletters, and family surveys. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Phone calls</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> home are one of the most effective ways to keep an open line to families. Although texts and emails are a much easier and faster way to communicate, phone calls can make a greater impact. In my eight years of teaching, I have made it a personal goal to call home for every student each month. Most parents expect negative news when they receive a call from a teacher; however, consistently communicating their child’s academic progress will increase at-home engagement. You can also take this opportunity to clarify anything caregivers are finding difficult or confusing. </span></p><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-381c1249-7fff-09e7-3620-dedcaa41f0d5"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Parent-teacher connection apps</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> are another great tool for educators to use to keep an open line of communication with our students’ caregivers. Apps such as:</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">Klassly</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">Classting-</span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">allows you to share videos and files</i></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">ParentSquare</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">Remind</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">TalkingPoints- </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">Multilingual texting feature</i></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">ClassDojo</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">ClassTag- </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">Multilingual texting feature</i></li></ul></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Many come with multilingual features so that you can communicate with any caregiver in the home. </span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Newsletters</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> are another great way to keep caregivers informed of what’s happening inside the classroom. You can give reading tips and tricks, information about local library events, and information about what their child is learning. If at all possible, provide this information in the home’s first language. </span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Lastly, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">surveying</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> your families is another effective way to better understand your students' needs at home. This strategy will provide you information on how reading is viewed inside the home, reading habits, and resources available within the home and community. You will be able to adjust your support and provide materials so that your students are engaged in reading at home. Here is an </span><span style="color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dBDyRjTKm-7klkjw_VR0Gnkuhuya7q7OuXBY21Fc328/copy" target="_blank">example</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4614066e-7fff-0dd3-629b-9d12258745f1"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 156px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="156" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0pZgo3FItR1NBtZlNsW21RK9BGDm53Is5WWtbVX-4xpWM-4dbvIg5cgFDn7Ob6EFOmQGJ6bJJZeO6So1o_y22K6Es3HEXmhFM2flbYAImAj05Tb84HdCTx1QzpPieIjez_9NMmCD" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b3e5a54b-7fff-725b-65d9-0a73c23f359b"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Neuman and Celano (2001) support that limited resources can and do hinder reading activities within the home. Although access to reading materials is an important component of a literacy environment, it is not the only component that fosters reading motivation. Cultural differences, parental illiteracy, family problems, negative educational experiences, job-related issues, economic conditions, health, and living arrangements all contribute to accessibility within the home (Plevyak, 2003). Reading motivation and achievement within the home are interconnected with the activities' actions, goals, and circumstances. </span></p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Educators must have empathy and understanding of each student's background. By being open and aware of linguistic and cultural differences teachers can provide caregivers with resources and support to help foster a positive relationship with their child’s education at home and school. Here are a few ways educators can bridge the gap between home and school reading. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ee2b7f10-7fff-6334-9bff-1ba2bfdc3c2f"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Build a classroom website</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. In a digitized age, giving caregivers easy access to classroom resources through a website is a beneficial way to keep them up-to-date. Through this portal, you can place tutorials of strategies being used in class, provide quick links to literacy resources in their communities, online </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">reading supplements, and links to online activities. </span></span></span></p><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 257px; overflow: hidden; width: 439px;"><img height="257" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vV4aoGdX-u6KbfNQLXy-Flvte73dM8PcGuiqKN4SojPRD1AQnh-qRgwx9cpxu9YGOk75NVGHOJF0Ynh6qjgj_RxxdOpwzdRTUqxTWCCtkpm5x8k1F5okr8qjsA_KKJoeSaM2M6FY" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="439" /></span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><img height="259" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RiglGUrx3AXC4Jbu8Emt5BGlKsvDM1kFrlFftiq57MbpOpjzf8VZqGRT7yblP5IzPtJeUGOfE4AMLduidSsH7uenFdfElcyexYrVhoUoPXkTREZq30tp2RnDKkEapd16RcfEuzjD" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="458" /><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-701bf806-7fff-2d57-fb42-18651d1a7fc4"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Images provided by Hannah Schrempp</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c8a28feb-7fff-73cc-6b12-0ee4ed51e1e4"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Make reading at home interactive. </span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">If you’re like me and your school requires homework for all students, take a second to reflect on what kind of homework you are assigning around reading. Does it require mundane tasks such as recording when reading has started and stopped? Does it require a caregiver’s signature? Reading logs, in my opinion, are not useful. Most of the time students lie. You can easily replace this task with reading conferences within the classroom. You can learn more about it in The Classroom Library blog post if you would like to learn more. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4e469256-7fff-9d2d-9eb3-b7c9178e3edd"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 373px; overflow: hidden; width: 412px;"><img height="373" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BawuYsAGSDsvv1FvndJgHhw9Jz98XUaC3vExe1OLRC5j_PXIaKUVuodBjUCRe1cRZSbVbvkSfyz1BGZBUF04iWRP-IWcyr-BJYozXBTkYfkdPEABB1-nTfVirbzuWu8paCdszpKC" style="margin-left: -5px; margin-top: 0px;" width="417.00000000000006" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image provided by Hannah Schrempp</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5f7c8779-7fff-f3f9-ca78-097bbb34392c"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1ZcnW0nHuaKfSMEEicsfjmJA89EYIIE4t" target="_blank">Reading choice boards</a></span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> are a great way to embed writing at home with reading. Allowing students to have power over the method of their homework will increase engagement. Adding tasks that connect to students’ </span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Linguistic and cultural backgrounds, interests, and even their suggestions is a great way to make your own reading choice board. Here you see that a student of mine chose to reflect on the symbols in Insurgent (2012). </span><span><br /></span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Include caregivers in on the fun. Give students options to interact with family members with their reading. </span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="366" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UDis6rS8znz4ajnzsVDwVM_ue1uH1b8Vv9JJkZyVy3h97jCFEpG0hfdvcwLhSbJ8h2dFve10wzbHUViaso-lwy2SyNJJ6OFs0rbZ1s1I9sUdoyMHqtbHRIHdEEjQJV30-iU_13JI" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="294" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Example of reading choice board student response provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span></span></div></span><span><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Encourage asking questions and promoting discourse at home</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. Developing a student's vocabulary and background knowledge in any language are two of the greatest contributors to success in and through their literacy development. Encouraging students and parents to sit and watch documentaries, the news, Netflix, or shows on any other streaming service promotes understanding of concepts. It develops 21st-century skills such as innovation, creativity, problem-solving, reasoning, communication, and collaboration. Here are a set of </span><span style="color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lP1WzymWlgDs-jZ4JChAXyGzEMTxSLL2X6IVOlZhVGg/copy" target="_blank">questioning cards</a></span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> you can give to families to use at home. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">In conclusion, we have to provide our students and families with the resources to promote and support reading at home. If you are sending home materials for students to read, make sure families are made aware of how to support their child at home and make sure it’s accessible to all students.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 238px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 422px;"><img height="238" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zpvztoMIJC77OQ6d1fFcF2O7kk3XpK81V3AIR4C_izCZMBh-kAPKPabf3wVcO_0XHj4OreZg4Od7WGvogHDYpJTvo33xMLnSOuPlXAWezjEbRRVT-V5TVMdtkIn9XNs6YVdn15EA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="422" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-113db3e5-7fff-5e7e-cc5b-c190e63ae5ca"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div><p></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Questions to consider:</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-aefc905d-7fff-e0e2-4067-72d7e9bf3359"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your biggest struggle when it comes to families?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If a parent is not fluent in English, how can you support their child?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What ideas do you have after reading this post that might alleviate your struggle?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are ways you have found success when connecting with families and building a positive reading relationship?</span></p></li></ul></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-bf774e2a-7fff-911d-ba1f-c6369684fbb8"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Throughout this summer series, I have asked you to reflect on many components of how you teach, what you teach, and how you foster positive reading environments and experiences. As you finish up this series, please take the time to fill out my </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qmXXlZ5SyddvKEZfgR_EuSjh-6eOh6tfI4UtCkpppPA/" target="_blank">survey</a></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 295px; overflow: hidden; width: 194px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/07/print-rich-environments.html" target="_blank"><img height="295" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZAOPdnNIZTvi-mDThk9_DpF8YoKW30VHLwj18HeOHD2jRWJY8enQHPLjsuNfBXhqeTya4GX-K7tKeZ38i0e1jvUZIpIoqV9mNXxr1fJ2a0zuT04aGEZsre_UEbps86PtX0qXP0oc" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="194" /></a></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-890eb830-7fff-503b-b6dc-8522eba3361f"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 296px; overflow: hidden; width: 188px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-classroom-library.html" target="_blank"><img height="296" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HQawZDK9YRLOZiBsdM8m4RLibUbRCNhv-0w8bS5PpYYa3ZUFMKwEsjmhAHn5B9dcPEKzL1w0db2gtkOz_uU2hCeQjCMkeNj1h0N3Vwye0eDlh68HhFoInfufs8zzK3ibcQGJKN5E" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="188" /></a></span><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 295px; overflow: hidden; width: 201px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-importance-of-print-rich.html" target="_blank"><img height="295" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GVO1LEJeMbVQsb0Yk2mvFQbaP30hPJuZqRAlPCgEZ-ZAQzboaPirbMWB9iNkmon7BHr5F4P0NHWm7eLWf8G-r-v5av55CdTDeVtf7tHj2_kFn3P9Br29shB1iACTUPBJRd9nIeqb" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="201" /></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0cf4e095-7fff-36fa-6152-1668b5069e81"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-61a2fcab-7fff-0cf4-7d8a-7c77b99b2d77"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d1442620-7fff-f466-10b5-038f2e863bf1"><span style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 293px; overflow: hidden; width: 195px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-classroom-library.html" target="_blank"><img height="293" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/wkr3_qEgZtIIbpP8gqXqpHfXi3KUF2ocBATia9zoaf5H5x05xNZu5bg98BtAVXXm--jCkGQwGjSMBP5xi_bLenfE7BwGLJDaCIWDo4hhydIz9A0glGmuC9-QbDdLQqHW4ITizNO7" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="195" /></a></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Connect with me!</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com" style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">@mrssclassroomcraziness</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 120px; overflow: hidden; width: 120px;"><img height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bXnqfbB1Lm_z-gylA85UHnab77muNrBhO6lNT0pTVxgv14dR_-jNTF3S250gLQ03qIGhNfEt6my6wEfQYBE5nE5E76rS1VmFmMtGCE_Kzs0cKH0twWBGF4b_NRencaDGI6NkIzcw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="120" /></span></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">-----------------------------------------------------------<br /></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Want to learn more? Check out these reads!<br /></span><a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/10/children" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Little-known caregivers<br /></span></a><a href="https://medium.com/inspired-ideas-prek-12/how-to-promote-family-involvement-in-literacy-education-32e717747a9e" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">How to Promote Family Involvement in Literacy Education</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Neuman, S., & Celano, D. (2001). Access to print in low‐income and middle‐income communities</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">An ecological study of four neighborhoods. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Reading Research Quarterly, 36</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">(1), 8–26. </span><a href="https://doi.org/10.1598/RRQ.36.1.1" style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://doi.org/10.1598/RRQ.36.1.1</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Plevyak, L. H. (2003). Parent involvement in education: who decides? </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The Education Digest</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">69</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">(2), 32–38.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span></div></span></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a279f7e8-7fff-e267-f867-280903ce3efa"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9c04cc82-7fff-a2b7-9e22-1dda3cd2d8e1"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div>6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-39797782950726807672021-08-03T12:17:00.006-07:002021-08-07T08:24:50.045-07:00The Classroom Library<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1b03ae5f-7fff-38a9-48ce-9f5bcec50dbc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9b87ab4-7fff-1355-b0ad-8ff38211ca3c"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 351px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="351" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QRvtkOw5KYflaB9MisZvnL2Fm1TTnbjb-_I4uUKndCm98vAOF1VGdlXQhOq39qgMwEemA99wrVjnmdWZYMUCgTwTp0gL7kJj48oGL8Difg7EAsNQ8sCQvaEU97i5uA5ohiTPaFkL" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to the second post, a part of the summer series all focused on getting your middle school students to read! If you haven’t already, be sure to head back to my first post where you learn all about the importance of a print-rich middle school classroom. </span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 362px; overflow: hidden; width: 241px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-importance-of-print-rich.html" target="_blank"><img height="362" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6L5NeKx4zUQ0UTwcXQ3WbbzMVz5UaTpeBo2AmsumPDsYXOhfl97UauUkeXaKiXqynRdnwdz7663dDOMHyhVId7bo8zYBRVBwDLqBHf4xPTQC_nqYCPwaeflw4Vs2QZCy0oJECz03" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="241" /></a></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-630aef8a-7fff-4ea9-7a9b-781adf12c634"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, you will read about the importance of the classroom library. </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you hear the words "classroom library" what do you visualize? The school library? A small corner of the room? Leveled readers?</span></p><br /><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All classrooms need libraries, and, no, I am not talking about the communal school library. </span><a href="https://ncte.org/statement/classroom-libraries/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NCTE</span></a><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> states that classroom libraries play a pivotal role in providing access to books and promoting literacy. Libraries increase student motivation, engagement, and achievement. </span></span></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 275px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 489px;"><img height="275" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EtWAcRVDhoIiV-vKsnoFN1tZfXkQSgABn_GQDK7SAmdfCbBn0Ttb2ODaswNvGBORNG_6g9eKmVZgpOln4vKzXGv6OCY8PBLCqYSxDuVpjXCegSjg8hdsgZmpW9VxmyI9EQili9gZ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="489" /><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0e4347bb-7fff-e8b1-a6dd-ee7463c345f9"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ff50688b-7fff-8107-9799-fc46ffd45af9"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Classroom libraries should: <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offer a wide range of materials to appeal to and support students with different interests and abilities.</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Provide access to multiple resources that reflect diverse perspectives and social identities; this includes magazines, newspapers, and posters.</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Open up opportunities for students, teachers, and school librarians to collaborate on the selections available for student choice and reading. (NCTE, 2017)</span></li></ul></span></div></span></div></span></div><div><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Building your Classroom Library</span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-67c8b026-7fff-3459-ca71-f91abff612ec"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A significant limitation of building your classroom library is funding. Building a library takes time and money. However, the reward is worth it. There are many free or inexpensive resources available to start building your library. Building your classroom library is also a great way to get families involved. Here are some ways to make a classroom library more economically:</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use book fairs and clubs point systems</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second-hand book stores </span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garage sales</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask students to donate </span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create wish lists and share them with your friends and family</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Retiring teachers/teachers switching grade levels</span></li></ul></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Libraries cannot be built in a day. Continue to seek out books that represent who is in your classroom, people within the community, and worldwide.</span></p><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="317" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IRiiletL4rW911XlIufUcqaMMBNnu1L4-pyyrOzBB0LXw_lomhNf0uOCgkClE1LqMld2iY6iD9ZB2XvJsupCH5ggxw16bMur6in0wwlzMSBi8RO8RixGNLBVqqCZyGDHwFcaGr1g" style="font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre;" width="424" /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">Image from Megan Glidden</i></div><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-66453d97-7fff-e719-0fef-c7eafdf762d8"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A classroom library aims to provide accessible and diverse reading material that strengthens and encourages authentic experiences and discussions between peers and teachers. You can do this by including texts with characters similar in age to students in the classroom and who share experiences they have had. This will generate interest and foster self-to-text connections. The cultural and linguistic backgrounds of students are another factor to consider when selecting books.</span></div><div><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="263" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BOKt2mARQORE-T2bx6tYgaBK5XA-AZ_86UCYVk4Spvelab7CYVIuyCGNEALOtQBpqBuqNuZ-zv1lMdz9CPjftM_c-ZD2Cs0_paXK1Ge5bc1rX63T72EMlDH2yeSkKSUJhCEctz2I" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="212" /></div></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">Image provided by Elizabeth Moklestad </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></i></div><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 300px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 401px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/G1a5G4hmOu_zRw7Q_oOlh4FbimJ_MDd8El9p2PXEISRiYt7VIM4bQBY43-edMFBz2ZjJiie0iyelTDg1ArSswb344KRFam44Oz09gGWNddDfZyG-XY_zhG63LMOJHn4aS_8bxBdn" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="401" /></div></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image provided by Sarah Krall</i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-fa0e255d-7fff-7bd6-026a-c96c4cef2ad0"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Organizing and Creating a Sorting System</span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A well-organized, labeled classroom library conveys that reading is valued and a part of the classroom environment. Brassell (2005) notes that regardless of the size or condition of the space, decoration and organization can make all the difference. Add pillows, comfy chairs, rugs, and aesthetically pleasing decor to create a warm and inviting place for students to gather. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Books should be visible and accessible for students to select. Facing books forward and creating a unique display will help generate more interest. This section can emphasize student recommendations, books recently read aloud, or literature centered around a theme.</span></p><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 335px; overflow: hidden; width: 270px;"><img height="335" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SE4yxmIFYG7vifS1xoWa0H81uxfEkM1slodN7WH_zVd6wLaPt_eh5llKv3dICxXDtU3_tTTkAqNKFfAluhFg_CijrkVCcLp3FZ2TzqEbSEybo_VzBJdCGkCp7b4R6Q6m6VF3M4K0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="270" /></span></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 375px; overflow: hidden; width: 303px;"><img height="375" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kHkj2yrN1WtqcEfR1gC7ijWfzFNtyUEsmjzRiUE3V5wdL3cr40x86I_Xo5t38JJsxM7jVelMlwfYzuIqNNORoO7mRqgndiiy49JsQWJj6D94Ht96urYOgvE53qCI0XFgCnni7b5N" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="303" /><br /></span></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Images provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-41a54713-7fff-fe7c-e69f-411974a31310"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every few weeks, rotate your book display. Catapano and colleagues (2009) share to always leave some favorites in the library and add new books that represent the current topic of the curriculum. Also, include books that represent future topics in the curriculum so that students will start to form ideas about what they will learn and offer what they already know about the topic as they begin a new project or theme.</span></div><br /><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choosing how to group books together and creating a labeling system can feel like a daunting task; however, it will help students navigate the collection. Grouping books based on student interest is another way to generate interest. </span></div></span></div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4f0297d6-7fff-2a86-bcac-576c1ba2f15d"><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 329px; overflow: hidden; width: 263px;"><img height="329" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jili0NWs8PkJ21qo4Kfo7EYMp3emvbSrJnRzVLgSlT1xO9qJ0T2rmd9AUEB0CUrKuXJ8RMVRmdCjEHOoEqCK9_UcLCZt5I1H9OuXJOfZlOSNs4d2On-M3jK6aDYeKmWARL1QZm1a" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="263" /></span></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 326px; overflow: hidden; width: 255px;"><img height="326" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/66x5zaMF0WjhgGn4WQxlM8MaNOtEBC-J_K6LkYxtfi_QXNjuDmMq3_W8vu4u3jNpF21UaA_GBpDi9xYR0fzak1yByy2jc6MlozWS7Ejro2wnX_jSwv4fGCH4i8FMeQXKhkcIq51n" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="255" />Images provided by Hannah Schrempp<br /></span></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Images provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-e47993af-7fff-f943-5b19-f05c7be96189"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d4ff92f9-7fff-28af-f151-8b774f8157c6"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether you choose to separate your books by genre, themes, author, series, special features, or topic, label books with colored stickers or tape. Labels will represent categories as well as indicate the relative difficulty level. Use student-friendly, non-stigmatizing labels to refer to different levels.</span></span></p></span><br /></span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 334px; overflow: hidden; width: 269px;"><img height="334" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BubyyYS5yh_UYY9sGsTrLg1M_evYWIU_JeQzkoJM78rMKRoeOqo2uT_bTJSswQ4qVCdhtb4SiVnUSbW3hXjMS99huX6kf5jCf5C1FhA_pXNC80SzoHj7Hfs91cgicYootLP9IXlG" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="269" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</i><i style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">mage provided by Hannah Schrempp<br /></i></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9366ff5d-7fff-8313-0c5c-37ae1f3edad6"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is an example provided by Hannah Schrempp of a labeling system. The top of the spine is labeled with the book's genre or form, and the bottom colors represent the book's “level”. I say the term </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">level</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> loosely because students should not know a book’s reading level. The color system you see in the image on the left indicates the type of language used (inappropriate or complex vocabulary) and topics focused on inside the book. I determine this by either reading the book or doing a simple Google search. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Representation matters</b></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a1c6e830-7fff-c808-f092-deab8961bf8b"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Bishop (1990) states that our students need books that are mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Meaning, students need access to stories that match who they are (mirrors), stories that offer views of the world that may be imagined real (windows), and stories that invite readers to step through the window and step into the characters’ shoes which will ultimately build empathy. When students are immersed in diverse texts, it will help reduce prejudice and misunderstandings, teach students to appreciate their peers' similarities and differences, and inspire students to want to make a change. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-be5e53e1-7fff-deba-b7a1-70c0cf930e6d"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">When selecting texts to place in your classroom library and curriculum, it is important to understand that there are common biases within texts. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c19e604b-7fff-8ccf-db9c-4bdf1189fbbc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stereotypes: Shortcuts to bigotry </span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tokenism of underrepresented groups</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Invisibility: the complete or relative exclusion of a group</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Intersectionality: </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage (Oxford Languages)</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look at messages about different lifestyles</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consider the Author’s or Illustrator’s Background or Perspective </span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look at the Copyright Date </span></li></ol><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adapted from the Wisconsin Department of Public Education and Hamline University's Summer Literacy Institute, this </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17iPnMzvql2mpKnxEHnOGLCC5ywONs_v3ozYSVjaRaH0/copy" target="_blank">graphic organizer</a></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> provides guidance when examining books you select to place in your classroom.</span></p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 248px; overflow: hidden; width: 378px;"><img height="248" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RAFLzHKCOCxe87nkLBpsDuzmIyZL-f02GDLDgGwsvsMgHkLPAkTOb0E9NQzvmFX2ROVGKTCji_e1N1jaqboh19I0_TC6700yW4gIhwkDMWQFGEjatVKnjDiJx8HibSbR3kMIWnJO" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="378" /><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></i></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">Image provided by Hannah Schrempp<br /></i></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-55ab7aea-7fff-34cf-5be9-762013e5f608"><div style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-67836f68-7fff-41b0-7abf-3f8128e229bd"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Foster Student Buy-In</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The image on the right is an example of another feature within my classroom. Students can scan the QR codes and learn more about the author. This is another great way to get students interacting with books inside your library. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Fountas and Pinnell (2001) stress the importance of both ownership and independence in establishing an effective classroom library. Students should be involved regularly in helping organize the space and materials, monitoring effectiveness, and troubleshooting problems. The library should be organized for student independence. You can involve students by:</span></p></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Assigning students to be the classroom librarian. This builds and promotes student responsibility and ownership</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Give students the task to choose what books should be spotlighted</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Display student book reviews and recommendations in and around the classroom library </span></li></ul><p></p><div style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d1f31f2b-7fff-c4eb-4b5a-8cfb7e20ef8a"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The image below shows a way to store student reviews. Provide students a clear example of what a good review looks and sounds like and then encourage students to do it often. This is an effective way to build community around your classroom library. </span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></i></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="295" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SSknRixWQEz8kIrMbMT9-mvjc7FfL-NdTTMVl2NIvy6udCgQi0aU2vzq06GhpjkHi5C7NmuP1kUN5Iifss-lggkjVSOY_1nqBPYGEWdjq8ntxXetEDFQih33e85gp3MUXI2x7n9o" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="240" /></div><i style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Image provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></div></i></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="268" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4XdHxxjZqsLPTSn6eDYdIGcvyLPh_plGqBrufA56aTKqyDXI2wKXaQqCqJ0ckwxhTcb25B2NlXNwlXhohzi_NpIPe3QrD1_OQ7q3ULpWDk_MmEbv7UkS1sR2JsyPejcvjrHdtoL6" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre;" width="268" /></div></i></span></b><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image provided by Elizabeth Moklestad</span></i></div></span><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-71e40ddd-7fff-752e-af25-32c1f00a232f"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-37ac0e5e-7fff-1cf7-919f-46713cc03b3c"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The image above shows how Elizabeth builds interest around books. Many students struggle to move onto other books once they finish a series. Pulling and displaying books that are similar to other popular series will show students that there are more amazing books out there.</span></span></div><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 292px; overflow: hidden; width: 234px;"><img height="292" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HkDCZxhJt9meV9mFLVVQUcttahBXEcVVyyLBSRo0QP4Y7kE6K3qpV_ottJTU7XVQ96x7txxMUjFOyPRWpjzb-Vh7FypCwqbTVx2Jo0rrfp-aaaa3NTBJ7K7IchhoNei2LjkNC1BJ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="234" /></span></span></div></b></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-size: x-small;">Image provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-fa291fcc-7fff-97b1-fac5-7fec034cd85e"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a219115d-7fff-bad6-cfe9-84b2603d5a7d"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Images to the above and below show displays based on specific interests. Themes or topics can be easily changed each week or monthly!</span></span></div><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="251" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MQkfNdpqeBYXeAGSf-OCbsbsA7kzognZJlSabkmZtN1XVjZOnmvVu4ixEdzWW0Q6BaJJuNe55USPn2K4tlRXzpYCKmpp1YKVa493HZmSb8rCg1CHxL0QHOJHXFqq5NSHC5wLERTf" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="201" /></div></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-size: x-small;">Images provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></div></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-bf36ab89-7fff-1f55-5166-a41abf0a6002"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Importance of Independent Reading <br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NCTE states “</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Independent reading</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a routine, protected, instructional practice that occurs across all grade levels. Effective independent reading practices include time for students to read, access to books that represent a wide range of characters and experiences, and support within a reading community that includes teachers and students”. </span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When students have the ability to self-select texts and are provided time to read independently, this alone motivates, engages, and fosters habitual readers. It is pivotal that educators protect this instructional time so that students can build their reading stamina and have the opportunity to construct meaning through what they are reading. Independent reading opens up opportunities for adolescent readers to experience topics they might not otherwise have a chance to and builds empathy for the world around them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To ensure student success during independent reading, educators need to provide students with:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Designated time to read self-selected texts</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Access to a wide range of texts that provide multiple perspectives, interests, and topics </span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support students through 1:1 conferencing and small groups</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Model and instill enthusiasm about texts you and the students are reading</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Build “community of readers through modeling independent reading and conversations about reading” (NCTE, 2019)</span></li></ul><p></p></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="238" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PvaInqV-Ori_4Dhawa_oTJGwJt5YNlogYfKSLe9mIG4QhF0-oYcRnwzqzdB7t22r3U_y4UELEmMR1ouLoWd1tW_80cMqZXv3_GzIvbUoI3KoTVfyfvKTW_f1SR2UOTsk-PMl2rXE" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre;" width="422" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-29b21108-7fff-b612-bf84-4685dc643237"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out this </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17iPnMzvql2mpKnxEHnOGLCC5ywONs_v3ozYSVjaRaH0/copy" target="_blank">Classroom Library Survey</a></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. As you build a classroom library, frequently refer to this survey to support your decisions. </span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As educators, it is critical that we reflect on our classroom practices. After reading this post, consider the following:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What cultures, topics, themes, or communities do I need to add more voices of in my classroom library? </span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What texts can I add that support cross-curricular topics?</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do I own any texts that are problematic or contribute to a single story? How can I use these texts to open up conversations with students? </span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you do not have a classroom library, what has held you back and why? How can you ask for support from fellow colleagues, school community, and administrators?</span></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This post is a part of a four-week summer series focused on getting your middle school students to see the importance of reading. Head to the next in the series titled,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-831b8db3-7fff-31d9-c746-8902986797a2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline-block; height: 359px; overflow: hidden; width: 239px;"><a href="https://mrssclassroomcraziness.blogspot.com/2021/07/add-student-choice-in-curriculum.html" target="_blank"><img height="359" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Wsh6YHEJurt6XBPJZriJCdU6gvyTUN8v--cKWBpdUhL1SySOngPfgJRknefvYjHaIXIK5vuIGxzFFp1Lf21SMmp2BzhqU3JuTFJ9yZfLQkkzRWItKsq0KHLuOPdbPgWFubqup8TY" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="239" /></a></span></span></span></span></p><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-0781278b-7fff-fa88-9fe5-5362e80aff72"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Connect with me!</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="mailto:mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">@mrssclassroomcraziness</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 120px; overflow: hidden; width: 120px;"><img height="120" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FOFTcZilMauF73oBtKVciJfihuIHDrz9uk-Z25HzoxhU3R95pQg-EmmwwuIuTULlIG2Ina93nHkZl6yzH-9wxu2Ybs8z674cHfRZNpMfX2XF1zu7yMPUB8TfryfE84r3PIrgsOil" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="120" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1a1a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-----------------------------------------------------------</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Want to learn more? Check out these reads!</span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://ncte.org/statement/classroom-libraries/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Statement on Classroom Libraries<br /></span></a><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/how-build-your-classroom-library/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Build Your Classroom Library<br /></span></a><a href="https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1068161.pdf" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Building an Effective Classroom Library Susan Catapano Jane Fleming Martille Elias</span></a></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://ncte.org/statement/independent-reading/#:~:text=The%20goal%20of%20independent%20reading,readers%20with%20conscious%20reading%20identities.&text=Independent%20reading%20leads%20to%20an,words%20and%20language%20one%20acquires" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NCTE Position Statement on Independent Reading</span></a><span><br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brassell, D. (2005). Building a library from scratch. Teaching K-8, 35(4), 56-57.<br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fountas, I. C., & Pinnell, G. S. (2001). Guiding readers and writers: Teaching, comprehension, fluency, genre, and content literacy. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bishop, R. S. (1990). Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perspectives</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 1(3), ix–xi.</span></div></span><span><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-23900820684249949272021-08-03T11:29:00.008-07:002021-08-16T15:08:32.286-07:00The Importance of Print-Rich Classrooms<div class="separator"><p style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"> <img height="351" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QRvtkOw5KYflaB9MisZvnL2Fm1TTnbjb-_I4uUKndCm98vAOF1VGdlXQhOq39qgMwEemA99wrVjnmdWZYMUCgTwTp0gL7kJj48oGL8Difg7EAsNQ8sCQvaEU97i5uA5ohiTPaFkL" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="624" /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">With over eight years of experience teaching middle school students, I have made it my personal mission to foster a classroom environment where each student finds value in reading and as a result, every single student sees themselves as a reader. Books give students the world at their fingertips. They can find themselves, understand others, and build their dreams through books. My hope is that you find this series, titled Engaging Middle Schools: Teachings Strategies for Boosting Independent Reading Motivation in Middle School, beneficial and refreshing. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-46e83f3b-7fff-d549-674c-6ce49394a367"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 269px; overflow: hidden; width: 478px;"><img height="269" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AM4OC9m1mwNWKyAvkeyaTzWGH03QK2bajl7pocP8fBuFY3-rLCSjtQNgWDX5gSF8E6pOZAmZtGRxiaO6L2FUO6qyta1xMHjhJUIfLI7RSx3q6QdWaa0gPb56WJfq2wVrYaqpeuha" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="478" /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever wondered what it means to have a print-rich classroom? Not exactly sure where to start? Look no further! Here you will find simple ideas to implement right away in your middle school classroom</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-98ace81c-7fff-4a27-40a4-6cffe19877ff"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 300px; overflow: hidden; width: 533px;"><b><img height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZkqwCV0DTLXzR-Dpq8YYmHzgQ7OJ5lJn-T7y9aHC4ERU0zInJaOPADNBI31JhfuAfwPeV9zfIcrCyCRg8-YMSUEHW6916dy-GXii66Mk2KXi6_UhzQZ3i9J3i9XRB-wR_vPSo3c-" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="533" /></b><i style="font-size: x-small;">Oxford Languages and Google - English, (2021)</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Current literature and studies show that when students have environments that are filled with books, the motivation to read is high. This means not only do you need to have a classroom library, but your walls need to scream READING IS FUN. regardless of the content area you teach, you are a reading teacher. Students apply their reading skills and strategies in every single content area. All middle school classrooms must show students how important reading truly is. So let's get to the nitty-gritty. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Classroom Design and Layout</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Being intentional about how you layout your classroom is an effective way to promote reading. Neuman (2004) points out intentionally creating spaces where students see them, people in their communities, and of the world will communicate the importance of literacy<b>. </b>Middle school students need easy access to materials, centers, and learning areas to have an opportunity to make deeper meaning of what's available. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Print needs to be EVERYWHERE</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...and I mean everywhere! You can do this by labeling materials, placing student work on the walls, having books readily available for students, classroom anchor charts, and weekly vocabulary words placed in a designated area. Wolfersberger and colleagues (2004) reviewed research that focused on early literacy development that revealed the powerful impact of access to literacy tools and environmental influences, both internal and external to the classroom on children's literacy acquisition (p. 212). </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What are Anchor Charts?</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Anchor charts are organized mentor texts typically co-created with students. Charts are displayed in the classroom where they can be easily seen and accessed. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><img height="205" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7jkWOLIvJIiEFyE0f1MEOrPrC76K--a4wSZofdWAHqbP0nMG6eyxKN8GWDOQ6Hlem1dZqE-FoQgWf3MZwZIUppc0VsGT4kxNhjV0jCbc1gSY2hUUDtFH_pCZ_1_frSRQyGj3uj_h" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="274" /><span id="docs-internal-guid-afdee296-7fff-61d1-6039-1913d49ee000"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 243px; overflow: hidden; width: 327px;"><img height="243" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uW9oApBsOD0Hg74RdxZXNZBhBowXB-wRJV0ZHM2U_cYIYZXo60_k-1gvhvddkmH1_X3ezT_V6PPkrSviQ2kSplSBYlSs07DoYDLaEGBTwY2Sf5kFZNjM_oDnzsjP4iDMhA0TGcxp" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="327" /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><img height="318" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Axs4_VayJEx8bHD8zKcvFOAx_ME8L-w2ThUPkwgVB2vuwVQcKkVloIMh6OEiRO9YcBHYF4VG4-kjNBXDI0z3lpiTs0009eUZNXyZOaWNyJDUu1Ahjp3HW-65dru2HCmDRg9lbzAD" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="254" /><span id="docs-internal-guid-ad5ed953-7fff-8e2e-740d-119eb2f3729b"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 207px; overflow: hidden; width: 275px;"><img height="207" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/x17r8_3hyKCgGb2RtDVFvZdgfLbBCXjZ3MuHVYBFNBqBuoMIdsGxR0yjyeSdeM2xWoP0Ni5ErMbMetYwQa9pyXYILpiRlpPnAbgl-aR5aaYn2YggeUaryAovnPGj_hVawKa8feNN" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="275" /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="251" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0BOY2vKm79MZ9g0nW0VGL8xvpeZdY7Xbxwdq3oXPAnNXnvHm65RbK1_vfLucqFHzwWuA5TiuUMLea25VGDWEz4xBbv_Y_vx9nvtqm1WXG7C-UjOEez7hDow3uEKtCnlTMDvxIvyb" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="335" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Images provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 302px; overflow: hidden; width: 265px;"><img height="302" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9aTgnzBT0dLG7CgIuIbiYHlSSwpd3je2FIOy9r0mal004cxZT88R-dvtLsDHfl0k5NU4NC5aLbNrYLLwqgdHdrs5whBMclu5ybh9vLHUAYHSMNns2ZwSgGHnRSFTsrfTtzVr-cyw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="265" /></span><img height="266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zgVpuVSkdUjju2F1NLnxAL5msUBhIGq4-62RQWFHcgoS2V7zEoTMxh-ITMA2Cdk3yCcdr9zNeSlSDff18nnLkqSXEhXhjFDPsYEQYL8kbUbUXx19QDbkogOMxQy7pn9kVQBspq0_" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="212" /><img height="225" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QNT0FYr0oLKLXUCqG-fciOt1AL1CHklgFS44dXP7lmexW_Tp9toWfBvcmrDzBNC_xw4w8vgMpyyGq900hvd9uhsCWLIewWZgjcGvZzzbq5LsVvZcATgylELei2M_ttTvkskfP063" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="228" /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">Images provided by Elizabeth Moklestad</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Benefits and Purpose of Anchor Charts</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Effective anchor charts foster the development of the task at hand. The co-creating makings the content engaging and ensures that all students think and work with challenging content. Moses and Lee (2014) shared that charting with students promotes critical thinking. Students have the ability to: </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Make connections</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Perceive patterns and relationships</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Understand diverse perspectives</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Develop and critique their reasoning skills</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Provide evidence of inference and conclusion</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Generalize big ideas</span></span></li></ul><span id="docs-internal-guid-b3340384-7fff-9858-f251-bea3ce12e51f"><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="270" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YpNh_MCyBjbAGciyyLM-tmFBXSJ1nZVNqbAv97j0GhagqIFq9gEGYCGov-ddNul0o1T-drmHEKHYTlTjUuHNvmaSeCGYfbq-dzU-HdG5ZH_0q8rFWIkKRwALXQdMhSso2G02J2qb" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="481" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The focus should not be on cute teacher-created visuals but rather the acquisition and organization of student-created visual materials. Anchor charts provide:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Visuals to help clarify thinking, making connections, and support comprehension of learned content</span></li><li><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Exemplar model of mentor text</span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnifies what needs to be known in order to be proficient</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Opportunities for students to communicate complex academic vocabulary </span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Promotes comprehension and synthesis of ideas and information</span></span></li></ul><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Types of Anchor Charts</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember, it is critical that all content area teachers are using this method. Not only will it help your students, but it will contribute to the goal of fostering a space where students see reading as a way to better understand the world. Different types of anchor charts include:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Content and examples</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Steps and Strategies</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Classroom management and procedures</span></span></li></ol><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Use this <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kQRKuL7_pgjA70kZXXDel5wrmgmI54rj-SwuzX-l5Og/copy" target="_blank">guideline checklist</a> while constructing your next anchor chart.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Designated Reading/Writing Areas</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">When designing your middle school classroom, I know that designing spaces for reading and writing don't necessarily come first hand. Typically, we think of these areas as being needed in primary classrooms. However, Reading Rockets synthesized the work of Fountas and Pinnell (1996, 2000) and Morrow (1997) which stated that the integration of literacy centers, no matter the discipline area, improves students' reading comprehension, language, positive social experiences, and writing development, all of which are important in adolescent development. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Literacy centers are designated areas or parts of your classroom designed for specific learning purposes. They provide students an opportunity to work independently or collaboratively to meet content goals. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="246" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oVAEnQ4ghMBaGauXHS_EgysfV_Y6rB5_PblJPEE1zEfeVPoI7nzrxuqfo_bu7lqiyR9hUwZMFDJqV_HR6K6Ni2lGiod59P0utLmirDyLX-z357L3FQ7R6reGCfUsBKY1QTfxJfF7" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="438" /><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b>Literacy centers are qualitatively different from primary literacy centers. Pennington (2017) states that recognizing this will foster initial success when implementing literacy centers in a middle school classroom Here are some tips that will leave you and your students feeling successful right away. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Start small and introduce centers slowly. Make sure procedures are known and practiced often</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Minimize set up and tear down. Simple is where it's at!</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Model model model and model some more. If things feel messy, don't be afraid to drop it</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Assign roles. Middle school students work best when they know exactly what is expected and can have some kind of independence in their learning process</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Centers are collaborative, not independent. Out middle schoolers are social creatures. They like working with their peers. Allow this and set boundaries to make sure all are doing equal work</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limit fluff. Rigorous, collaborative learning will bring in the fun. Keep the directions simple and to the point </span></span></li></ol><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Tips and Questions to Ask Yourself when Designing Centers</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What is the center's purpose? Are students practicing a skill? Introducing a new topic? Reviewing? Or are they meant for differentiating?</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What materials can be repurposed to meet the learning goal?</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">How many stations are needed to reach the learning goal?</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">How can you diversify the activities?</span></span></li><ul><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Technology</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Creativity</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Texts used in centers</span></span></li></ul></ul><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Types of Literacy Stations</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Vocabulary</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Writing process</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Discussions</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mentor text/Sentence analysis</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Skill/Strategy application </span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Introduce a new unit</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Unit preview</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teacher conference</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Guided practice</span></span></li></ul><span id="docs-internal-guid-31c356a0-7fff-b0e0-5d8f-2fbf1b488628"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby Gross from </span><a href="https://writeonwithmissg.com/2018/04/23/how-to-create-learning-stations-to-engage-students-the-design-process/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=397000928_13086070_125228" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Write on with Ms. G</span></a><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a resource I refer to often when designing my learning stations. She is a great secondary educator full of great ideas!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-271ef380-7fff-de22-902b-b8b9048b3c8f"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 279px; overflow: hidden; width: 224px;"><img height="279" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0Wca_LYrr9RJquhRqbGl57EGUSNnyia-nX4pPDWKGJvxKEsrmK-VJAtdOkINIYjPArxt5XXa61hcaCUGK2qvtUP4ytT9ATVFG8BXVVhVt3HmzsbUC8tRa58qRGcp23oWCTIvd4ag" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="224" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Characterization and point of view stations from Hannah Schrempp</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="326" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/926rawZfYBw8yZSB2Hp_S9DtouRYGM_ap96BS4DaMyYGvgM4nt5guFMaccdiU2pDLSUMZ_E-tgAsADwQi1XEgauWXRSdoDkCmS5HW8mrPlERBhqTtDYD3NUYXqO7zUyobeFAYXxU" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="297" /><span id="docs-internal-guid-43434ff1-7fff-f58f-a7b4-d5e18087a5d4"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 340px; overflow: hidden; width: 310px;"><img height="340" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Gzq_GBvv3se32VKJAbzjNIKLpAkvj38I0e4ceMoVDNHpVEJZdk85rGXoyDibQBZTp3eenMBBK3x4krbHWBI2mIudWUdpZaV3RnmvlVkhqYE0rMcEA3FYFzvrQJyYOmneAZuked92" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="310" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Images provided by Abby Gross</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-21c9866a-7fff-3cb0-1a5e-055816f34b8c"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 270px; overflow: hidden; width: 368px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img height="270" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TNBiHh4093bAvXGu-dMf8t5mR5vAkPDwRHLESfCN6G2RpdO00wqXnWTAaEGklXqr5qEIPZGwS_j8ZwibctOYbHPt38Vd5-1mYSZ7RMQWd0XtyxcuPKkg3O_ykW3scYhPAdLowjn7" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="368" /> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image provided by Emily Aierstok</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Creating Experiences and Connecting with Literacy </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">With a large emphasis on analyzing elements of a text and reading mainly to absorb information, middle school students disengage from reading voluntarily. In a new study by Martin-Chang and colleagues (2021), they found that a child's literacy experience in elementary school is far more positive and then starts to drop in middle school into high school. The nature of reading changes as students are expected to read a large amount of informational texts. During this transition, a love for reading seems to fade. The study suggests that middle school teachers can reverse a student's trajectory by "providing students with a rich and varied reading diet" by offering choice, modeling a love for reading, and expanding your classroom library. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />There are many opportunities to revamp or add activities that will foster a love for reading and create positive experiences around reading that students will remember for a lifetime. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Classroom Book a Day</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 229px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 437px;"><img height="229" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7tfKdXxDSEaB7lyjCoUjx2PCgAsUL7A_xzwsOtvQ77RDbX4otNtn5mP_vznc2DqhLB3_eFma9spelOCkjbWrTWLgsAtDjrySp4F9AQJzASuK0vrR4OX-0C3hHCvKrYNi1WxQ1p_" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="437" /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-69f2aad9-7fff-d75c-8a70-adee09823629"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">In Christina's middle school classroom, she carves out time to read a picture book every single day. This time is dedicated to expose her students to authentic discussions about the stories and illustrations, make personal connections with each other and the characters. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image provided by Christina Hanson</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>First Chapter Friday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 181px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 321px;"><img height="181" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/x_XQ7TbWNvIcsSn0LIfmg6-FxOgEZ1CLM0Cloux6t89rHIvkNln7g94LePJW-8ADn4eBPNpP1q5eH2dVNFnq7JwgGrEdG8usfQMT7LTfS99MrjF5JCnAqGY8xvl3d6ngAoeqyPCV" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="321" /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-987148a3-7fff-dadf-cb91-ddbc014f8a41"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">First Chapter Friday is a simple and engaging activity to get books flying off your bookshelves. You can use this activity to bring modern voices into the English curriculum and encourage your student in their independent reading. <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image provided by weareteachers.com</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Tastings or Book Speed Dating</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="281" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0isncEk_k86eLFty4NtL78_FCkxHMLNnjEouVHfoOkubiQg90nPZGkLXcvFE0MeIAh0PWpIEjlg9MGmdA821Dm_szDx3TS5RVjdt2PhhajzSrJun3ds7q_BuQTNC5yNbAFNALq6S" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="227" /><span id="docs-internal-guid-1f181d7d-7fff-f879-ee4d-bf6cf5a5eac4"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 304px; overflow: hidden; width: 244px;"><img height="304" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jfsFS5inLtl3msPhyPBgVIS1Ymn1D3DhGFvDza_Q5gZRYIxgWMR-O--AMTj0aHk7F7_UyQ7lY4IXqqQjoNoXrf2eRzaCsx7sQyguZF5RORXaWSY-SBoy8LztcVdIRsEc1KhAyxWx" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="244" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book tastings/speed dating are two easy activities to set up, get middle schoolers to try new books, and get them excited about reading. Middle school students appreciate when teachers go a little above and beyond to make an activity a little more enjoyable. </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Images provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1aGCM_k4czzP6m1FvmivTc4-x3ZuZMd_D" target="_blank"><b>The Great Debate</b></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7bb5d9de-7fff-2fbd-cd64-a51f9ab48254"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 251px; overflow: hidden; width: 202px;"><img height="251" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3ToKakMoDj5siQb8sWlnsTO4RkL_vDdZ7gvgzi2DEB3qLtML8cLNXY9FnPuTxc8BCsNcS70mgH12Oqb7mQd4Ni3eP9T6d2CsBwddpu2B-Y3OOKFrgMBALORypPpQ0iGLUuA_DPk3" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="202" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">As teachers, it is critical we bring in texts that share multiple perspectives of a topic. A way to spice up any unit or topic of focus is to have students participate in a debate. Students have three 3-minute discussions with a minute debate in between to convince their opponent their view is correct. I have used this technique when discussing Christopher Columbus and reading through The Giving Tree by Shel Shilverstein. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Passion Projects</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-16239d3d-7fff-f0a5-7713-36355556ba4e"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 275px; overflow: hidden; width: 223px;"><img height="275" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fKOX51NKMYHG0Wq9uEyoOO08QT3ojm600n6dZ_sgzf42vRBxWK_VJ7sQVFmNrYJqubQ9aShlzYz9rKMawhd7NVc6HF_hnPuZbDqZi32s60SOe29eMpOOlnZXvxVSk7JMaDK5a-PW" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="223" /> </span></span></span><img height="239" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Pq6Sr1t6wqYMjlQkns8GA4Cahs50tJUGrm0Oxsaf-FtPxi25ZvUbGg_hcIwUjePOrRnIYaKEAgdc7qVEAjbXF1F_VNDz5fdTQJMhbKwyBBcrrVB-pG392XJwjKCdx2lUUK5WieoI" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="193" /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Images provided by Hannah Schrempp</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Middle school students are some of the most intelligent, and creative people. Tapping into their interests and talents to enhance their reading experiences is another way to build positive reading experiences. In </span><a href="https://www.readitwriteitlearnit.com/post/2018/05/28/passion-projects-for-independent-reading" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Emily’s middle school</span></a><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> classroom, her students brainstormed passion projects that would highlight their favorite book they read during the school year. Using a standard-based rubric, students create their project outlines and execute based on focused learning. Students get to share with their peers their passions and show off their knowledge of an academic standard. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Educators, it is critical that we reflect on our classroom practices. After reading this post, consider the following:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">What two changes will you make to your classroom environment?</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">What ideas do you have for literacy centers? How can you revamp an activity to get kids moving and working together?</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">What activity do you want to try at the beginning of the school year? What do you need to prepare to ensure success?</span></span></li><li><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">What were the 2 biggest takeaways from this post?</span></span></li></ul><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This post is a part of a four week summer series all focused on getting your middle school students to see the importance of reading. Head to the next in the series titled, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Connect with me!</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b8bccb3f-7fff-0d15-7f98-0f0a9afffd4f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="mailto:mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mrssclassroomcraziness@gmail.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">@mrssclassroomcraziness</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 120px; overflow: hidden; width: 120px;"><img height="120" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Yro6bcQbpaBUVTu_3xkhDKlJWmBz0n4ImDayVnQATkJX9jiXvDECDlMFd3SGBDEP-IeFWceZW6zAglbULFugvOdwVzkPgOwPT9SX1L3HH13JcI-AYvyFSysu1pnklQkXd_vj12Mk" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="120" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">-----------------------------------------------------------</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Want to learn more? Check out these reads!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/member-benefits/e-ssentials/ila-e-ssentials-8065.pdf" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Imitate and Innovate Anchor Charts</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/how-to-start-literacy-centers-upper-elementary-and-middle-school/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Start Literacy Centers | Upper Elementary and Middle School</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/benefits-reading-fun" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Benefits of Reading for Fun for Middle and High School Students</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.readitwriteitlearnit.com/post/2018/05/28/passion-projects-for-independent-reading" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Passion Projects for Independent Reading As teachers, we often feel like in order to get kids</span></a></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Susan B Neuman. (2004). The effect of print-rich classroom environments on early literacy growth. The Reading Teacher, 58(1), 89–91.</span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wolfersberger, M. E., Reutzel, D. R., Sudweeks, R., & Fawson, P. C. (2004). Developing and Validating the Classroom Literacy Environmental Profile (CLEP): A Tool for Examining the “Print Richness” of Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms. Journal of Literacy Research, 36(2), 211–272. </span><a href="https://doi.org/10.1207/s15548430jlr3602_4" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://doi.org/10.1207/s15548430jlr3602_4</span></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oxford University Press. (n.d.). </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oxford Languages and Google - English</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Oxford Languages. </span><a href="https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/</span></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Strickland, D., & Morrow, L. (1988). Emerging Readers & Writers: Creating a Print Rich Environment. </span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Reading Teacher,</span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">42</span><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">(2),156-157. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from </span><a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/20200044" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="'Century Gothic',sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">http://www.jstor.org/stable/20200044</span></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strickland, D. S., & Morrow, L. M. (1988). Creating a print rich environment. (teaching reading and writing). </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Reading Teacher</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">42</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2), 156–157.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 120px; overflow: hidden; width: 120px;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 340px; overflow: hidden; width: 310px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-69f867f6-7fff-988f-cf6a-ef6affc018e0"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 340px; overflow: hidden; width: 310px;"><br /></span></span></span></div></span><p></p>6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-15767374706392370912021-03-16T14:02:00.007-07:002021-03-16T14:05:27.824-07:00Tech Must-haves for Virtual Teaching<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tech Must-Haves for Virtual Teaching</span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H3Z2Pd_6sPco6CCkLqHhTS4ckH8hRivVLydebC5Mb4IrYlsgdDv1VZLuvgAmuVErAO2Kd_i-GRoY_ZU-iw_RgPU7BUqt9DFHP0sr1CB_WQJrBebnD8nUZr0t2V78GMVoP9FH3VSKjbI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H3Z2Pd_6sPco6CCkLqHhTS4ckH8hRivVLydebC5Mb4IrYlsgdDv1VZLuvgAmuVErAO2Kd_i-GRoY_ZU-iw_RgPU7BUqt9DFHP0sr1CB_WQJrBebnD8nUZr0t2V78GMVoP9FH3VSKjbI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span id="docs-internal-guid-d8ddf7e7-7fff-3a6f-289e-0fbb146bb8b7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This post is sponsored by Logitech</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When it comes to technology, I have been taking a minimalist approach. When virtual learning first started back in March of 2020, I honestly had no idea what I was doing or what I needed to feel successful. I didn't go out and grab multiple screens or purchase items to enhance what I was teaching. Through that experience, I learned what was needed. Here are my two MUST-HAVES when it comes to virtual teaching. </span></p><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4TySG00fufxi-Pcx4ETOBMFnWRw2rrBxrDQUcRJJi_qXGY_oThDfvDzyUCBLJEN4jczrUVThjYiDsTfMXXhHt7GVsHBcOxlyTDjW7uAhe47OnqBI6SrKWJvQq3ziY3Of32EkXYqINEk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4TySG00fufxi-Pcx4ETOBMFnWRw2rrBxrDQUcRJJi_qXGY_oThDfvDzyUCBLJEN4jczrUVThjYiDsTfMXXhHt7GVsHBcOxlyTDjW7uAhe47OnqBI6SrKWJvQq3ziY3Of32EkXYqINEk/w640-h640/Untitled_Artwork+2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Logitech Crayon</span></b></h1><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-67b58d28-7fff-8837-bded-9c3ceb790d13"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Being a teacher, we need a tool that will be easy to direct students' attention, but also be able to write like we normally do on a school whiteboard. If you are like me, your handwriting is already not the greatest and then adding digital inaccuracies can make your handwriting unreadable. This is where the #Logitech Crayon comes in handy. I have been using this #LogitechCrayon for months now and it is so easy to use PLUS it actually transfers your normal handwriting. The Logitech Crayon can be easily charged with any iPhone cord and syncs seamlessly with your iPad. No pairing required! </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrAWhzjdpDhIMri_gllssjqDyEe_zaLKvo_R29SX0hP8alU9CGnMpsArON14DH20xi5bgpGtjaILgkoZweDAOUIIqusS54ldKcnTSQsCjZ1ws523UU9bT5TmCG70k8Vh6ACt-nR6-420/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrAWhzjdpDhIMri_gllssjqDyEe_zaLKvo_R29SX0hP8alU9CGnMpsArON14DH20xi5bgpGtjaILgkoZweDAOUIIqusS54ldKcnTSQsCjZ1ws523UU9bT5TmCG70k8Vh6ACt-nR6-420/" width="180" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5ge3YoDz4G4cCw2F2pATlLOyXS2kV-FxjHPNKwDYgOgMqIIhUz9huatZHF7A0A8PRalSTHSEtcPao0-afBxFP3ebsFD1W-Hq34bHON7z2Ziq8wybahwA9W9v4Nq5soJhAl5fZdZh7Qw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5ge3YoDz4G4cCw2F2pATlLOyXS2kV-FxjHPNKwDYgOgMqIIhUz9huatZHF7A0A8PRalSTHSEtcPao0-afBxFP3ebsFD1W-Hq34bHON7z2Ziq8wybahwA9W9v4Nq5soJhAl5fZdZh7Qw/w233-h319/IMG_1737.JPG" width="233" /></a><img height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UTNP2tR-X123GJFzLdkcTzNpaac2bCM_OWzBi7kee18cDpJJQYOIvHN3c1xHwtZU7GK6QC_27s-ffFGDSEjdA66m5MBfVwMCMjDBz_zyjOFE6X_7SVkuWz8C2ARLxhseDeUG8zI=w237-h320" style="font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="237" /></span></div></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blue Microphone Snowball iCE</span></h1><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-17c7fd19-7fff-612e-c262-023f50d471b6"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Anyone else have mic issues when using Google Meets? I know I have had plenty over the last several months. In addition to the Logitech Crayon, I have been pairing my teaching with the @BlueMicrophones #snowballice. Ensure that students can hear every word with the Snowball iCE USB microphone - the fastest, easiest way to get crystal-clear sound for recording or streaming. Powered by a custom cardioid condenser capsule, Snowball iCE delivers high-quality audio that’s light-years ahead of your built-in computer microphone. With effortless, plug-and-play setup, Snowball iCE works with any software for great-sounding results no matter how or where you use it—at home or in the classroom. I basically feel like a YouTube star and all of my students were impressed with my microphone choice. My students have mentioned time and time again how clear my voice sounds during my lessons. I also noticed a huge difference when recording videos. </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE6aplPveSHUJ3FvvO0NcPMZ_YXO81hiC5vdQbv35f1yuBMN8NgAQgNX0GWoAxHLZ2R9D8CgF8kdA-dI2Ri9RlpcFtt8tsENE1nHusWYBHFURz8N58EWwgoXU8gjpHaB_DO8AR1QGN20/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE6aplPveSHUJ3FvvO0NcPMZ_YXO81hiC5vdQbv35f1yuBMN8NgAQgNX0GWoAxHLZ2R9D8CgF8kdA-dI2Ri9RlpcFtt8tsENE1nHusWYBHFURz8N58EWwgoXU8gjpHaB_DO8AR1QGN20/w240-h320/IMG_1741.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to hear from you! </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are some tech must-haves you use with your students?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://logi.link/u52jl">Logitech Crayon</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://crew.bluemic.com/43ont">Snowball Microphone</a></div><p></p>6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-88944968536424603952018-10-11T15:55:00.004-07:002018-10-12T11:47:15.600-07:00Character Traits Room Transformation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99D857_G2lP2CqxlUG-aPDLynTIdHL_uRCBNwswjqmxS_7ZOE-ccUKl2PWKJ3Ekf7VpUAHsB1FbGHwjZMoDnUITClnwHwIpppJPiBPciNnVrsKXbX7Z3pA8miLxcmQfMS6tckn1Kpt6Y/s1600/title+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99D857_G2lP2CqxlUG-aPDLynTIdHL_uRCBNwswjqmxS_7ZOE-ccUKl2PWKJ3Ekf7VpUAHsB1FbGHwjZMoDnUITClnwHwIpppJPiBPciNnVrsKXbX7Z3pA8miLxcmQfMS6tckn1Kpt6Y/s1600/title+page.jpg" /></a></div>
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I don't know if you have noticed, but I LOVE ROOM TRANSFORMATIONS! I probably love them more than my students do....and my students want them all the time!</div>
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This one was new for me this year! I've always wanted to do an operating room, but didn't know exactly what standard I wanted to cover! Well, I finally figured it out (obviously)!</div>
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<b>SET-UP & MATERIALS</b></div>
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<b>COVERING WALLS:</b> Whenever you want to cover up your walls to transform your space, I highly recommend using tablecloths from the Dollar Tree! They are super light-weight and easy to hang up. I always hang them up with tacks. I have ceilings where tacks push in very easily and it takes no time at all. Typically it takes me between 45 minutes to an hour to cover 80% of my room and my room is LARGE. </div>
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<b>OPERATING ROOMS:</b> To create the rooms, I hung up one tablecloth on each side. This help create a small space where students could feel like they were in separate operating rooms, but I was still able to see all students. </div>
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<b>LIFE-SIZED OPERATION CHARACTER:</b> These were made from butcher paper. I taped a piece that would fit nicely on each table onto my SmartBoard and traced over a picture I found Google. Once I was done, I traced around my pre-made operation "organs" so that I knew they would fit. I DID NOT trace around the ones from the Google image. </div>
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<b>OPERATION ORGANS:</b> I free handed them! I looked at the images online and copied! Of course they are larger than normal. I wanted them large enough so that students could write character traits on each one. I only made 9 out of the 13 on the original board game. See the picture below to see what I mean. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRNsPSnQ4VOV6xDGU-Huw3xNdzowXjZCbBpduTJrsa8Ozs9kGoF7BMcZROdz4fEW9p18vXt_18K0LkTRdTKt25957pRv2QfySb2IQIIYQf6CBgfy0yYhA65PlJ3qgyjIrRJ82304uEWU/s1600/IMG_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRNsPSnQ4VOV6xDGU-Huw3xNdzowXjZCbBpduTJrsa8Ozs9kGoF7BMcZROdz4fEW9p18vXt_18K0LkTRdTKt25957pRv2QfySb2IQIIYQf6CBgfy0yYhA65PlJ3qgyjIrRJ82304uEWU/s320/IMG_1746.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>STUDENT COSTUMES:</b> I purchased everything from amazon and created the badges which are linked below. Gloves where provided by my school. All items where waiting for the students are their assigned operating room. </div>
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-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078MFJX6M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Face masks</a></div>
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-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015G7OW4Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Caps</a></div>
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-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CKDT7JT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">My doctor outfit</a><br />
<b>DOCUMENTS:</b><br />
<a href="http://staff.esuhsd.org/danielle/english%20department%20lvillage/rt/Short%20Stories/Thank%20You,%20Ma'am.pdf">Thank You, Ma'am</a><br />
<a href="https://www.wtps.org/cms/lib/NJ01912980/Centricity/Domain/1174/The%20Scholarship%20Jacket.pdf">The Scholarship Jacket</a> (Mature words and content)<br />
<a href="http://www.wlps.org/view/2542.pdf">Possibility of Evil</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12ytnGCkTGzzcc9hM9OAXCZr7R_1wvM2S?usp=sharing">Badges, doctor files, & patient files</a><br />
I made one for each group. I paced all of the stories, doctor, and patient directions on one clipboard and provided enough clipboards for each student in the group.<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12ytnGCkTGzzcc9hM9OAXCZr7R_1wvM2S?usp=sharing">PowerPoint Presentation</a>-surgical room sounds<br />
-The first slide lasts for 50 minutes<br />
-Second slide has the flat-line video (Lasts for 15 seconds)<br />
-Third slide shows what the students need to do to save their patient (Lasts for 2 minutes)<br />
-Fourth slide goes back to the original beep.<br />
(SLIDES SWITCH BY THEMSELVES! All you need to do is click the start button of each video.)<br />
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<b>CONTENT</b><br />
<b>RL 3 Describe how the
characters respond or
change as the plot moves
toward a resolution</b>.<br />
Identifying character traits can be very tricky for students especially when they have to infer them and then tell me how a character's traits develops the plot. We practiced this skill for two weeks before I felt like they were ready for this transformation. The goal is that they demonstrate mastery of this standard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavkDDDM6YGG_srT_qghrqTHuMHqTSXFKFnjTtsK9TTi7qgGxLa1E-3qsB5Ezgt4ssu9reOn6fi5Ga0tquMXV6JSUUM2I3dg1ve1pH2D1EhxIud2TPtlMku8S4rhXcUfJjiud24g51OqA/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavkDDDM6YGG_srT_qghrqTHuMHqTSXFKFnjTtsK9TTi7qgGxLa1E-3qsB5Ezgt4ssu9reOn6fi5Ga0tquMXV6JSUUM2I3dg1ve1pH2D1EhxIud2TPtlMku8S4rhXcUfJjiud24g51OqA/s320/IMG_1753.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH0sYnVCnhaXOMrlkDWqzSpHW32GyqkFv3oeI1b9tYDtoZw-4H74WkFIWpEvMX7TBYkeK21AhtL0pBXHkhkzHGCsZu_odsIPL8Y7zSN3eEc72phyFwN3uae5YGKz4EHI34zkZr8IvoCw/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH0sYnVCnhaXOMrlkDWqzSpHW32GyqkFv3oeI1b9tYDtoZw-4H74WkFIWpEvMX7TBYkeK21AhtL0pBXHkhkzHGCsZu_odsIPL8Y7zSN3eEc72phyFwN3uae5YGKz4EHI34zkZr8IvoCw/s320/IMG_1755.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b>STEP ONE:</b> Read the patient's file. This is a short story I provided each group. Now, I always teach to the top. I do not differentiate during transformations. I provide more assistance if need, which is rare. Kids can do amazing things when you give them the chance! Once the entire group finished reading (they read it together), they could move onto step two.<br />
<b>STEP TWO: </b>Identify the character's "symptoms" aka character traits. Student's analyzed the file for all the components to identify each trait (refer to the document linked at the bottom). I heard so many awesome conversations during this time. As student's diagnosed the patient, they would raise their hands and call Dr. Schrempp over (me). They would have to provide me the evidence from the file that support that diagnosis. If they were correct, they earned an organ! Then, the group would record the trait on the organ and translate it back into the patient's body. In the end, each operating room identified nine qualities. This part took about and hour and a half! BUT of course I had to add a little twist....<br />
<b>PATIENT FLAT-LINED:</b> I made a timed PowerPoint that at about the hour mark the screen switched and all the sudden the flat-line sound went over our speakers. My student's FREAKED! Student's learned that their patients were dying and they only way they could save them was by solving the hard math problem that was on the board. They only had one minute to solve because the human brain only last about 3 minutes without oxygen. You can choose whatever problem you like! I'm all about rigor so my students had a nice long multi-operation expression. & I'm happy to say that all surgeons saved their patients.<br />
<b>EARLY FINISHERS:</b> I only had 2 out of the 4 groups finish about 20 minutes before the rest. You should always have a backup plan for when this happens. I used ReaditWriteitLearnit's <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Autopsy-for-Any-Novel-Grades-4-10-4100895">character trait autopsy files</a> from her TpT. I handed the task cards to each group and they worked on their already made person. Checkout the link for more details!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIhVt7p2B3idmZqABMvzS53rvDbZTOF4JB84gudBHfU7k3KhLjJ9J3n7NTTKoB3xMy41xBA2Rjpa-Tf5XysEk66xbSTtE-hFwgSenMUQ3EmvWIsIizh9gY9nWAVdSslPWAtyIRVJdRwE/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIhVt7p2B3idmZqABMvzS53rvDbZTOF4JB84gudBHfU7k3KhLjJ9J3n7NTTKoB3xMy41xBA2Rjpa-Tf5XysEk66xbSTtE-hFwgSenMUQ3EmvWIsIizh9gY9nWAVdSslPWAtyIRVJdRwE/s320/IMG_1754.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFYw6qlHaurHHf7BQkUMhIMHYzeoTLjM4ypDEyc40kVpFD4UkN10N9E9BkudJmI7GHcyQdbMi0g9DMpkNt9vCwDxo2VgpuTHgTMV_dBwLw4Yv-hXygz2N7Q-sf8evPy70M2fUSAAhzy8/s1600/IMG_1726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFYw6qlHaurHHf7BQkUMhIMHYzeoTLjM4ypDEyc40kVpFD4UkN10N9E9BkudJmI7GHcyQdbMi0g9DMpkNt9vCwDxo2VgpuTHgTMV_dBwLw4Yv-hXygz2N7Q-sf8evPy70M2fUSAAhzy8/s320/IMG_1726.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have provided all of my documents above. Please sure them as you please! I kept the parts for names editable so that you can add your own character names. Remember I have to rights to all of these documents. If you plan on using them, you must give me credit.<br />
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Please tag me in your Instagram photos! I'd love to see this all in action!<br />
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6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-15601932714690956682018-08-05T06:07:00.003-07:002018-08-05T06:07:37.839-07:0017-18 Classroom Tour<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>17-18 Classroom Tour</b><br />
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This year's theme is all things cactus and distressed barn wood! I love that I was able to create a space where my students feel welcomed and at home. Let's begin the tour!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9T8cBERKVA-rtSCoNEbCC2kapEFmhxhxGlXmW4aiY18gcNMLdYyZWmFog4C87uDVYKds0diB46QJeHIdXk9NHfDfamFHFLmmUp0OfShq55kgRKt8Ma3NpXMW2oNrjmE8ThZZALnoifE/s1600/me+with+classroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9T8cBERKVA-rtSCoNEbCC2kapEFmhxhxGlXmW4aiY18gcNMLdYyZWmFog4C87uDVYKds0diB46QJeHIdXk9NHfDfamFHFLmmUp0OfShq55kgRKt8Ma3NpXMW2oNrjmE8ThZZALnoifE/s320/me+with+classroom.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Classroom Design Tip 1: Add lights!</span></div>
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I have lights around my library, storage shelves, and my front bulletin board. I find that by the end of the day, students eyes are tried and strained from being exposed to fluorescent lighting all day long. Not only do they replace the fluorescent lighting, but they help create a space that is calm and inviting. I always give my students the option between the LED or fluorescent, but 9 times out of 10 they choose the LED. You can grab them <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-Changing-Flexible-Remote-Control/dp/B00BP4DUMU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1507405570&sr=8-5&keywords=led+strip+lights">here!</a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Classroom Design Tip 2: Library should be front and center!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpsebhhyB1QvJbJvFk9iIBi4etba4m9PRICqAn2LZRUcoI_Ikg-GOAfXJXdjELvw3SrFS6atVaj4RIMRSoNPH_2zY4iapuV5DyD1PMLoW3Eky19zqKNiCzebpWH48ztnnaNHpm0kSK7Q/s1600/close+up+of+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="640" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpsebhhyB1QvJbJvFk9iIBi4etba4m9PRICqAn2LZRUcoI_Ikg-GOAfXJXdjELvw3SrFS6atVaj4RIMRSoNPH_2zY4iapuV5DyD1PMLoW3Eky19zqKNiCzebpWH48ztnnaNHpm0kSK7Q/s320/close+up+of+library.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span>Whether you have 50 books or 500, your library should be the main focus of the classroom. You want this space to be inviting and homey for your students. Adding a rug or pillows can help! It has taken me 5 years to get to this point, but it has always been a goal of mine to have a large library where multiple chairs, pillows, and students can fit! Honestly, the hardest part about having a classroom library is how to organize it! I went from organizing it by level to only by genre and I am so happy I did. Taking away the level focus has changed the reading climate in my classroom. Give your students the choice to choose whatever book their little hearts desire. You'll be happy you did!</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">Classroom Design Tip 3: Student sitting area</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">MY STUDENTS LOVE THIS AREA! I allow my students to sit anywhere when they are working independently or with partners. I waited until the end of summer to purchase the blue beach chairs from target and I snagged them for $5!! So worth the wait and so cheap! As you can see, I only covered one of the chairs with a cute book print..I've been meaning to cover the other...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">The Big Joe chair is from <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Big-Joe-Lumin-Chair-Multiple-Colors/30161647?action=product_interest&action_type=title&beacon_version=1.0.2&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&client_guid=a365d142-3fc5-490e-8028-9005681a9bd9&config_id=2&customer_id_enc&findingMethod=p13n&guid=a365d142-3fc5-490e-8028-9005681a9bd9&item_id=30161647&parent_anchor_item_id=30643682&parent_item_id=30643682&placement_id=irs-2-m3&reporter=recommendations&source=new_site&strategy=SMT&visitor_id=eEpEChdNL_qEawjG179maE">Walmart</a>! It's very durable and comfy! Table was spray painted to match decor and can be found at <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20011413/">Ikea.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;">Classroom Design Tip 4: Student Centered Bulletin Boards</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeAyD0ujR7dzN9osS9doKybwQTgOtbEHtX2rHEnBo_EYIJV6tw8x7MDhBioctkT90f5ZtFxHNcei-ySN8T9WP3MVETamD2yYfGai_cF_0f_gN82EyUsYDsL3c5qOUrpwf-6PtDNdSI3Q/s1600/birthday+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeAyD0ujR7dzN9osS9doKybwQTgOtbEHtX2rHEnBo_EYIJV6tw8x7MDhBioctkT90f5ZtFxHNcei-ySN8T9WP3MVETamD2yYfGai_cF_0f_gN82EyUsYDsL3c5qOUrpwf-6PtDNdSI3Q/s320/birthday+wall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVai6Wz8CsQwiPqpWYkMrrK0WGUnxJHzLpa8kMWMq9FIyGo14xbOdBTzakVOe7iYUbyJYLDTE-DanZOAt3Nij4mC_btP3ghDbktzduZNdFsMXkD_s4_PF6wUh9qK1lmZqk8XcHIMvpZLk/s1600/goal+diggers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1201" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVai6Wz8CsQwiPqpWYkMrrK0WGUnxJHzLpa8kMWMq9FIyGo14xbOdBTzakVOe7iYUbyJYLDTE-DanZOAt3Nij4mC_btP3ghDbktzduZNdFsMXkD_s4_PF6wUh9qK1lmZqk8XcHIMvpZLk/s320/goal+diggers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3B0jb7dSH_7eJ-yKFZJ6n4pD8unD9zv5bPJ1PLvjhBPt2vaHP7F5-Ils9aonq_0QSxnLmOnu2VTkTG91zjNPpZiP4ygkEIVVyPZ-AAPwHmqnSTKCUUEnu9-9ywNg5BkwXA-SYYSRKrU/s1600/keep+the+quote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3B0jb7dSH_7eJ-yKFZJ6n4pD8unD9zv5bPJ1PLvjhBPt2vaHP7F5-Ils9aonq_0QSxnLmOnu2VTkTG91zjNPpZiP4ygkEIVVyPZ-AAPwHmqnSTKCUUEnu9-9ywNg5BkwXA-SYYSRKrU/s320/keep+the+quote.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">When designing your classroom, you want to keep the students in mind! Your students should be able to interact or help create each one. Placing student birthdays on the wall is a great way to show you care and are prepared to celebrate their special day! Target's mini balloons were a perfect addition. I traced the balloons using my Smart Board! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> Our "Goal Diggers" bulletin board is definitely one of my favorites! I love that my students have a space to display their goals (academic or personal)! It was a perfect way to start building our classroom community too. I plan on adding their photos to the bottom...just haven't gotten to it yet!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Keep the quote was inspired from Miss 5th! When I saw it on Instagram last year I knew I had to bring it into my own classroom. Each week, I have a student present the quote of the week and we discuss its meaning and importance! You can find Miss 5th's original post <a href="http://miss-5th.blogspot.com/2016/06/keep-quote.html">here!</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlkAyNSwIec7UDLsZHJ2VcH8iY424Y9tmSCU8H6Suzbr1_xVKK2FLaS0rxNLyXaGEcPOTkmA0fpQZWIlsCaQlbZ7yaVf2rRy1naYWiIjd9j05xedsp5oreyw_LB7VgMCAbyINMXgzwmI/s1600/vocab+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlkAyNSwIec7UDLsZHJ2VcH8iY424Y9tmSCU8H6Suzbr1_xVKK2FLaS0rxNLyXaGEcPOTkmA0fpQZWIlsCaQlbZ7yaVf2rRy1naYWiIjd9j05xedsp5oreyw_LB7VgMCAbyINMXgzwmI/s320/vocab+wall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span> More bulletin boards! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9qF5juYkhB_RL6km92Ou5PNGU6hHwGu-BaIVe8iQVpVUjGsj9atKtU_zUcfyyofC2-euaf0jY04mVuNvqInHhrzEj638XBeBNui0YhL7od-e56hr-bgKxUXBEaLLxIFdIEgroArr4QA/s1600/bulletin+board+2.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9qF5juYkhB_RL6km92Ou5PNGU6hHwGu-BaIVe8iQVpVUjGsj9atKtU_zUcfyyofC2-euaf0jY04mVuNvqInHhrzEj638XBeBNui0YhL7od-e56hr-bgKxUXBEaLLxIFdIEgroArr4QA/s320/bulletin+board+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Currently" bulletin board is from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/News-Article-Interactive-Bulletin-Board-Kit-3300107">Texas Lone Star Teacher</a></div>
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"Readers Dig Deep" bulletin board can be found <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Readers-Dig-Deep-To-Bulletin-Board-Blooms-Taxonomy-3286994">here.</a></div>
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Classroom norms were adapted from Ron Clark's Essential 55</div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"> Classroom Design Tip 5: ADD A STAGE!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv6qH-POYXq0KTLW-REc_JDD3sk3iuhXzYh_zMt9DHgdDzFgzcoXh_Uu2AiDHbm25M4YsopyEW5cVpazW-khsBZKE6LG4Be37ThNmWvzNIa4heXFJJkhzUmYSeDKUBRURHUn_tCtg1Wg/s1600/stage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv6qH-POYXq0KTLW-REc_JDD3sk3iuhXzYh_zMt9DHgdDzFgzcoXh_Uu2AiDHbm25M4YsopyEW5cVpazW-khsBZKE6LG4Be37ThNmWvzNIa4heXFJJkhzUmYSeDKUBRURHUn_tCtg1Wg/s320/stage.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">The classroom stage is all the hype right now and I am all for it! I only spent $60 bucks at my local Home Depot! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Succulents-Classroom-Decor-EDITABLE-Cactus-3130122">Cactus decor</a> is from Purely Primary </div>
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Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions please comment below!</div>
6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-81543803246726117832018-08-04T10:59:00.001-07:002018-08-04T16:01:55.695-07:00Hogwarts Floating Letter Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFDpct6w0sPARtpQCTEWj4BRhQEs2QpmQeTOWoQ6LEzNPeF5SBI_8sDJVPJptxyE0Z7wJieFAY6vu0IB5P8hh0ggwNV-mWKhd8NsSMeENM_9mC90WUyR4IcLWGie43bblzGdsi24tZKU/s1600/title+page.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFDpct6w0sPARtpQCTEWj4BRhQEs2QpmQeTOWoQ6LEzNPeF5SBI_8sDJVPJptxyE0Z7wJieFAY6vu0IB5P8hh0ggwNV-mWKhd8NsSMeENM_9mC90WUyR4IcLWGie43bblzGdsi24tZKU/s1600/title+page.png" /></a></div>
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I know many of you have been waiting patiently for this blog post! I finally found some time to sit down and hammer it out. Listed below are all the details you need to create your own display. </div>
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STEP ONE: MATERIALS</div>
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-Brown craft paper from <a href="http://www.michaels.com/cardstock-value-pack-by-recollections/10145989.html#q=brown+craft+paper&start=1">Michaels</a></div>
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-White printing paper</div>
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-regular & double sided tape</div>
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-Fishing line</div>
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-Wooden rods from Michaels (Look in the kid craft section)</div>
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STEP TWO: PRINT<br />
<b>*Please ignore the spelling errors of "Privet" & "Drive" in the direction pictures. For some reason the font switches up the 'w' and the 'v'. This error has been fixed on the printable.*</b></div>
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This took a lot of time. For some reason my printer hates this type of paper and I could only print under "professional paper" as my setting. Be sure to try it out before printing all of the letters.<br />
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I have provided the template for the letter and the wax seal and a printable tutorial! Grab it <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g3miPQwMp4PIFowQwWSwfe1M5zy0jGf7">here</a>. OTHERWISE, read all the deets below!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmwnaRWvxiQs2IMwbZzfkkjaVDK3hSWxZ1KUCpX4CvybHy-PdFsvDyly4nJkpVpPF714PErWEicJxt7kpMVG5dvkmHgUIdPcknZMmTHc2e8L6im-GCXKAjvAZ4LdGCRCm4prUvRa1_xU/s1600/IMG_9670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmwnaRWvxiQs2IMwbZzfkkjaVDK3hSWxZ1KUCpX4CvybHy-PdFsvDyly4nJkpVpPF714PErWEicJxt7kpMVG5dvkmHgUIdPcknZMmTHc2e8L6im-GCXKAjvAZ4LdGCRCm4prUvRa1_xU/s320/IMG_9670.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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Here is what your paper will look like when it prints. One side was very light for me so I traced over it with a pencil. You will need good light for this.</div>
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STEP TWO: BUILD THE LETTER(S)<br />
This will take some time, but it is totally worth it! I PROMISE!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH4rsJpaLGLr2lK8D3DIcugb0uhWc8tcT_X9B_Ectz1Pm7wkXvCD8iyiotI2uSx-jeyl-d3nZj2obuK2RUe-XlmKDyfeBtdgIAFRlKD8CfpIhPuBpUjp0C-cCGFF4CodHLfc1fK9QrR0/s1600/IMG_9671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH4rsJpaLGLr2lK8D3DIcugb0uhWc8tcT_X9B_Ectz1Pm7wkXvCD8iyiotI2uSx-jeyl-d3nZj2obuK2RUe-XlmKDyfeBtdgIAFRlKD8CfpIhPuBpUjp0C-cCGFF4CodHLfc1fK9QrR0/s320/IMG_9671.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Step one</b>: Fold each wing so that the folds go away from the address.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmMQYRGKDWmaIKfeY74nGMzwbMID6f4fjHddm5gT_ma-_etYUy_gf_gnrzRYu4EvLU4aySnnbHq7IZqFA3YRiXzR6Q2KVLxScmmQkJsd6lDeJUme04SUY9UOQyNPK8c9VyYdHoD5PfEc/s1600/IMG_9672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmMQYRGKDWmaIKfeY74nGMzwbMID6f4fjHddm5gT_ma-_etYUy_gf_gnrzRYu4EvLU4aySnnbHq7IZqFA3YRiXzR6Q2KVLxScmmQkJsd6lDeJUme04SUY9UOQyNPK8c9VyYdHoD5PfEc/s320/IMG_9672.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<b>Step two</b>: Tape down the fishing line. You want a pretty long piece! Leave enough empty fishing line at the top so you can tie it to the wooden rod at the end. You can change up the direction of the fishing line but always tape it down as a diagonal! Cut off any access at the bottom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggin7ZgGNcy07wmrld92t8__aTfX2xd1d6wm46apdYvcfGZIM-gL6bc4tDo8y4jEOnywx2fzo8Mgxhgcnb77xreFqhmAJPqHCVuRb3CHfCaWFsvR6C4DJxR4N3c__wZPTWyMJJxvtSg-g/s1600/IMG_9673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggin7ZgGNcy07wmrld92t8__aTfX2xd1d6wm46apdYvcfGZIM-gL6bc4tDo8y4jEOnywx2fzo8Mgxhgcnb77xreFqhmAJPqHCVuRb3CHfCaWFsvR6C4DJxR4N3c__wZPTWyMJJxvtSg-g/s320/IMG_9673.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<b>Step three</b>: Tape down each wing. The flap with the Hogwarts emblem should be taped down last. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrgVAO8O4S5oWXNuyNlswMXD4fECPem0aKyr1LG1G6QZTF6iQkPY7Xe-dfxhftIaIPQOqocvQAwNHV5QHJudnjAO85VCvrhTPjup3Kc1KnEnToXHg0gIYvS5hNEoSvdnKHhvDsVDaeZI/s1600/IMG_9675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrgVAO8O4S5oWXNuyNlswMXD4fECPem0aKyr1LG1G6QZTF6iQkPY7Xe-dfxhftIaIPQOqocvQAwNHV5QHJudnjAO85VCvrhTPjup3Kc1KnEnToXHg0gIYvS5hNEoSvdnKHhvDsVDaeZI/s320/IMG_9675.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dncfeXpb_eayLVrOI5Z21w1bW3BW1mZvB1i9lpd_WwSItVuYVhF9Y5jTKQD7-AGkD07UJQjm3K8EpDorXXYtI0rrXRW-mrioC_1IydztCm53Y9xy66ghwlIkXY4CcE3z63sWeQS1Ves/s1600/IMG_9674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dncfeXpb_eayLVrOI5Z21w1bW3BW1mZvB1i9lpd_WwSItVuYVhF9Y5jTKQD7-AGkD07UJQjm3K8EpDorXXYtI0rrXRW-mrioC_1IydztCm53Y9xy66ghwlIkXY4CcE3z63sWeQS1Ves/s320/IMG_9674.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<b>Step four</b>: Secure the final wing and use double sided tape for the wax seal!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqN-LyQxl2xsFaNfJWXuZT9eNIcr19q14b136rFMauwXe1Z-kcwrqiK72F9jErkirAjxMWXXT5hpyc48qt2jmrSJY1rtjjj1In5SP1GPdvNQUhmh1aOCM9s0nVcMNcjABoSQfXKOzFJdU/s1600/IMG_9676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqN-LyQxl2xsFaNfJWXuZT9eNIcr19q14b136rFMauwXe1Z-kcwrqiK72F9jErkirAjxMWXXT5hpyc48qt2jmrSJY1rtjjj1In5SP1GPdvNQUhmh1aOCM9s0nVcMNcjABoSQfXKOzFJdU/s320/IMG_9676.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b> Step five</b>: Add as many letters to one piece of fishing line! I would switch up between a group of 3, 4, 5 & 6! </div>
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STEP SIX: CREATE DISPLAY</div>
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This is the fun part...SEEING IT ALL COME TOGETHER! My Harry Potter lovin' heart skipped a beat when I saw the final product. Have fun with it! You can add as much or as little as you want. You will attached the top part of your fishing line to the wooden rod. I always tied a double knot! Then, arrange the distance between each letter column. Switch up the fishing line letter lengths. This will help create depth to the display. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7SwXZ7lGRKw5MMiui6LAP4XDiKQAeBzS2I2BQY5HcEJEuDkR5t1fkSnGm0oEn0M74HWadiBGwRVqU0DhFhPBjY0eykKIdspgIBaVVxnRtyfikWUA9CetsZZSyUneX6qlrReU3ADTDjg/s1600/IMG_9694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7SwXZ7lGRKw5MMiui6LAP4XDiKQAeBzS2I2BQY5HcEJEuDkR5t1fkSnGm0oEn0M74HWadiBGwRVqU0DhFhPBjY0eykKIdspgIBaVVxnRtyfikWUA9CetsZZSyUneX6qlrReU3ADTDjg/s320/IMG_9694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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STEP SEVEN: SECURING THE DISPLAY</div>
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This is what worked for me! I use tacks for to hang anything from my classroom ceiling. Look at the pictures below to see what I am talking about. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBMSb_FBRRHuxx4AmUPlqPDvsNS-vw-t_Qs-Abs8nWmzxUjSfmRG6o1KBedWvuvWitlTzpNoVltgHgL8UB08bp3Gpcq7xXSppWugKfhZ_p1u1CCdyc1HjoMNlM6ThYYCpdzeaQY4Bdyk/s1600/IMG_9690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBMSb_FBRRHuxx4AmUPlqPDvsNS-vw-t_Qs-Abs8nWmzxUjSfmRG6o1KBedWvuvWitlTzpNoVltgHgL8UB08bp3Gpcq7xXSppWugKfhZ_p1u1CCdyc1HjoMNlM6ThYYCpdzeaQY4Bdyk/s320/IMG_9690.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I placed the tack between the end fishing line and looped it through. Then, I found a strong spot in my ceiling. Get help with this! For me, I crisscrossed my wooden rods. You can also do them in rows! Either way works. Do it to both ends of your rods and you should be good to go. You could also use fishing line and string it through your sealing title holders (I don't know the actual name of this, LOL) Be sure your rods are secure & ENJOY!<br />
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I want to give a HUGE shout-out to my local Half-Priced Books. I saw a display similar to this and it about blew my mind. I emailed the store and the employee who made it show me how to do it! Check out her display <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BegBgCYlXYv/?taken-by=mrssclassroomcraziness">here</a>.<br />
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I also wanted to thank you for all of your love and support with my classroom design. I love creating a space that not only I love, but my students will too!<br />
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ENJOY!!</div>
6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-42759375235669827252018-07-20T15:39:00.003-07:002018-08-04T11:05:20.312-07:0018-19 Classroom Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Welcome to my Harry Potter Farmhouse Chic classroom! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX07XiU0Ous1Ibb-b2VgUe06zNDdxjsek0GGfn44Gv4MTK6Llct7P-gqoYo5tIAXh9xdsf2tDqew8SG3iOWXcrIqvQG2nSx63W53dFTaqRWGNV1rlQ26svXCcDpJZZB4_hFUMYvuceMM/s1600/title+page.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX07XiU0Ous1Ibb-b2VgUe06zNDdxjsek0GGfn44Gv4MTK6Llct7P-gqoYo5tIAXh9xdsf2tDqew8SG3iOWXcrIqvQG2nSx63W53dFTaqRWGNV1rlQ26svXCcDpJZZB4_hFUMYvuceMM/s1600/title+page.png" /></a></div>
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Before I get into the nitty gritty, I want to remind all of my readers that your classroom DOES NOT have to be "Pinterest worthy". Your classroom is your space and you can do as much or as little as you want! It doesn't have to look like everyone else's! Have YOUR personality shine through!</div>
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Alright, are you all ready for some deets?! Here we go!</div>
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I knew I wanted to incorporate Harry Potter into my classroom but I was also obsessed with everything farmhouse! I mean, who isn't? Thank goodness for Ashley from @buldingbooklove & her <a href="http://www.buildingbooklove.com/2018/04/classroom-design-challenge-planning.html">classroom design challenge</a>. I wouldn't have been able to visualize what I wanted without her guidance. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-y9kqp3cceGrbktSoTdxxUTFYFeR7_FqVJGBub0VVgiQzDVYkmePOBAt4I8r6zei6z5MFEnfvQK7iFnlF6nCUzCjFuDZPCMrUB31urGdBYbh1yzp0ViDSElfEkuqX8ZN3zF65A5qwkI/s1600/IMG_9756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="750" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-y9kqp3cceGrbktSoTdxxUTFYFeR7_FqVJGBub0VVgiQzDVYkmePOBAt4I8r6zei6z5MFEnfvQK7iFnlF6nCUzCjFuDZPCMrUB31urGdBYbh1yzp0ViDSElfEkuqX8ZN3zF65A5qwkI/s320/IMG_9756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is my original mood board!</div>
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I wanted moody colors but done in a way that still made the classroom feel light and airy. Anything that was going to be a larger piece I kept it on the lighter end of the color spectrum, which brings us to....</div>
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<b>Step One: covering my ugly walls</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BSkbIndUAcX1Rx7gkiq2yx4_Qrm8nbzv3j9zI1qFkwF9XcQL7ebFmKS_xHSxBO58iaw714PEZvDWIehUkE2ZcC6Y3Vl2slRnzcpisPX1gqc5NFPQP0SdK7aM19gKf2cmeaxodbrZRkg/s1600/IMG_8525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BSkbIndUAcX1Rx7gkiq2yx4_Qrm8nbzv3j9zI1qFkwF9XcQL7ebFmKS_xHSxBO58iaw714PEZvDWIehUkE2ZcC6Y3Vl2slRnzcpisPX1gqc5NFPQP0SdK7aM19gKf2cmeaxodbrZRkg/s200/IMG_8525.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4K56PxoY4EBSVPIFaZJbtzAfR-oMee404eDSzKFn-YDYVFWWt-3iOduqjo3LA_LHLMY4Rh_Ful6INqdGRDrVcrObykMGkgiVG8EBMG0cKOu-v9sNHwcBy7jRHhziNMnmGXdgySh8tV8/s1600/IMG_8526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4K56PxoY4EBSVPIFaZJbtzAfR-oMee404eDSzKFn-YDYVFWWt-3iOduqjo3LA_LHLMY4Rh_Ful6INqdGRDrVcrObykMGkgiVG8EBMG0cKOu-v9sNHwcBy7jRHhziNMnmGXdgySh8tV8/s200/IMG_8526.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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As you can see, I have an extremely large room! I am able to do a lot in here and I am VERY fortunate to have this space!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeCmiFXSPDc4f1GTFrfMV7DI8aXBoTq-OD5lLKkhyphenhyphenVj2k-fzOBmAtyXB5VMySUZ1SESCyjFmsknYZohz1LEEdZTY_Q2Jp2cVPQIH9LBGwZafM31J0Hd2HZ0_jFHzDpnJKY1lnvzD_gp8/s1600/IMG_9757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeCmiFXSPDc4f1GTFrfMV7DI8aXBoTq-OD5lLKkhyphenhyphenVj2k-fzOBmAtyXB5VMySUZ1SESCyjFmsknYZohz1LEEdZTY_Q2Jp2cVPQIH9LBGwZafM31J0Hd2HZ0_jFHzDpnJKY1lnvzD_gp8/s320/IMG_9757.jpg" width="219" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxd88GQ26tEhOzbUvS1jUFwJfEznZRvH6HPnAyOzh0ah7InXXfRHlFD_SyA534vEJgGIvXCVJdJ3ioUADladwjjPSxZWIWrwn4RaRgKq7CumIKKtWE5rma2DNGhoJV5mMdoYrWBeJtP4/s1600/IMG_9760+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxd88GQ26tEhOzbUvS1jUFwJfEznZRvH6HPnAyOzh0ah7InXXfRHlFD_SyA534vEJgGIvXCVJdJ3ioUADladwjjPSxZWIWrwn4RaRgKq7CumIKKtWE5rma2DNGhoJV5mMdoYrWBeJtP4/s320/IMG_9760+%25281%2529.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Please excuse the blurry photos! I wanted to show you the process of hanging up the bulletin board paper. All of my walls, besides one, are drywall enabling me the ability to staple everything! It is very convenient and easy to hang anything! Now, I know most classrooms are made of cement. Don't worry, I have a solution for you! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/FrogTape-1358463-Multi-Surface-Painting-0-94-Inch/dp/B002Z8HB2A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1532119692&sr=8-3&keywords=frog+tape">Frog Tape</a> will solve all of your problems! It is a fancy painter's tape that withstands humidity. Being a teacher in Minnesota, I know first hand how much climate change can affect our walls! Many of my co-workers use Frog Tape & swear by it!</div>
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How much paper did I use? First, I always purchase the largest roll. (48 x 12) </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bella-Photography-Backdrop-Paper-Washed/dp/B00IWSGCW2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1532119506&sr=8-5&keywords=white+wood+bulletin+board+paper">Shiplap Paper</a> = 2 rolls</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pacon-PAC57465-Fadeless-Design-Reclaimed/dp/B01BIPGZ4U/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1532119930&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=brick+bulletin+board+paper">Brick paper</a> = 2.25 rolls</div>
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I found mine at Lakeshore Learning Center for $14.99 a pop. You might be thinking...."WHAT! THAT'S TOO EXPENSIVE!!" FYI, I only purchase bulletin board paper when it's on sale. I paid a total of $35. </div>
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<b>Installation Tip</b>: Cut up the paper in smaller pieces. It's much easier to attach! What's awesome about this paper is that no matter where you cut it, it will always match up! </div>
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I know many of you have rules that go against you being able to cover all of your walls. My advice for you is to create one area in your classroom that you can customize & make it your own!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggos2SvtkaeFOBDjHUVx1ccdPa7SFbOBF91Ac8gZD4GdyqJfJcfHuNzM5jXgnkGrweDe-T8NaNeOP1yIAJme7WhcZdK9HG_JXR8AcrKj7VGW0oDHg0tHyDi5hkBUaexnCd5ktq7NE78Zs/s1600/IMG_9527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="809" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggos2SvtkaeFOBDjHUVx1ccdPa7SFbOBF91Ac8gZD4GdyqJfJcfHuNzM5jXgnkGrweDe-T8NaNeOP1yIAJme7WhcZdK9HG_JXR8AcrKj7VGW0oDHg0tHyDi5hkBUaexnCd5ktq7NE78Zs/s200/IMG_9527.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5t47Jk0yNe3mpMqxqar64nATlIaurElKARxBIPLRchfj2KE4XdBSn8qtebdf6zOyBvNq_GMtDA9I88CcjQrxua1ZfUBtcTjdvyEOyafczy0KLi_3rRRamHsrVGRgiNsWRetGi9ehE7k/s1600/IMG_9645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5t47Jk0yNe3mpMqxqar64nATlIaurElKARxBIPLRchfj2KE4XdBSn8qtebdf6zOyBvNq_GMtDA9I88CcjQrxua1ZfUBtcTjdvyEOyafczy0KLi_3rRRamHsrVGRgiNsWRetGi9ehE7k/s320/IMG_9645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr37OxPbQNaGDRXTvzwZuMLm4IlgZHEKIcP-V5ZNqnSQlcaz3b_VCazPrCwsNreAd56guYQcNkHjao_KNVwvhHqVXyyw6q6Y3EpjuFjcv8XaLrX0qcq5NCqE3F71f2xx3tvvxY2Msb6Q/s1600/IMG_9506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr37OxPbQNaGDRXTvzwZuMLm4IlgZHEKIcP-V5ZNqnSQlcaz3b_VCazPrCwsNreAd56guYQcNkHjao_KNVwvhHqVXyyw6q6Y3EpjuFjcv8XaLrX0qcq5NCqE3F71f2xx3tvvxY2Msb6Q/s320/IMG_9506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Step Two: set up my library</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqPY5VBXz8ePXigghzQx-7IFeCJoqZF9GdG5Up5lWoK2dBHhVHlCd-dWnSLTC-Ct-aDYD8EbB9HDbGC0tBq1mxD-Hceg2Ay9YkgOhDe1ksHlCYNnYfmXCpsaSlpYby5RTzh2Mmw4ernY/s1600/IMG_9727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqPY5VBXz8ePXigghzQx-7IFeCJoqZF9GdG5Up5lWoK2dBHhVHlCd-dWnSLTC-Ct-aDYD8EbB9HDbGC0tBq1mxD-Hceg2Ay9YkgOhDe1ksHlCYNnYfmXCpsaSlpYby5RTzh2Mmw4ernY/s320/IMG_9727.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIn4r9fA-L2E6XyRLFXQqvl_49Qorh9WdbjWwjq1tboTWfbjzXlnmeRNgPJkq1iA9p8AyAny45Ixympivsed4EoEGocaBxB3_zfFMxPpp-IfkmKlrhRtVt6361dpzsUc69AjITB8IW9s/s1600/IMG_9729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIn4r9fA-L2E6XyRLFXQqvl_49Qorh9WdbjWwjq1tboTWfbjzXlnmeRNgPJkq1iA9p8AyAny45Ixympivsed4EoEGocaBxB3_zfFMxPpp-IfkmKlrhRtVt6361dpzsUc69AjITB8IW9s/s320/IMG_9729.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9GDBEXLFV52qIbZn8Qgm26IEeH2UUcBiKccc0EQGVL1t4zrWWLnclEhqARgd56FY4rXtJJWGknBkpIOK9vaOhAI-ohAgrd2NiVnrrRziayue-dP-SoDSL9HaBDuqt6DQ0RODLg-TlkA/s1600/IMG_9729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9GDBEXLFV52qIbZn8Qgm26IEeH2UUcBiKccc0EQGVL1t4zrWWLnclEhqARgd56FY4rXtJJWGknBkpIOK9vaOhAI-ohAgrd2NiVnrrRziayue-dP-SoDSL9HaBDuqt6DQ0RODLg-TlkA/s320/IMG_9729.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2ym3cjQBWl3ni6ylf3hOQTdHPHqTzG_vXBWEC3Rjtb5dP1jsd6O6A6QRhwT51vpTvNqTyLUAUaFQ5Pq58T1D0Uh_kAkuxPc0v6cQwqKxuOi_L71yUjOnuzB7XGtgnknDknjC76puduo/s1600/IMG_9728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2ym3cjQBWl3ni6ylf3hOQTdHPHqTzG_vXBWEC3Rjtb5dP1jsd6O6A6QRhwT51vpTvNqTyLUAUaFQ5Pq58T1D0Uh_kAkuxPc0v6cQwqKxuOi_L71yUjOnuzB7XGtgnknDknjC76puduo/s320/IMG_9728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For me, the first thing I do is put together my library. It is the heart of my classroom and I want to make sure it is perfect and well organized! This is the spot in my classroom where I want my students to spend the most time in!<br />
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This is where I started my Harry Potter Design. Everything you see in the collage is attached to my drywall. I am able to hang it all up with tacks! All frames and mirrors are from the Dollar Tree. I created my quote posters in ppt with these two fonts. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/468636361/font-fonts-digital-font-swirly-font?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=calligraphy%20gont&ref=sr_gallery-1-1">Nostalgia </a>& <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/546076980/5-fonts-sethandwritten-fontfontcricut?ref=shop_home_active_4">Green</a>. Both are from Etsy! You will see these two fonts through my ENTIRE room! Everything else you see I found for free on Google! When in doubt, make it yourself!</div>
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<b>Signage:</b></div>
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-<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/187180928241972309/?lp=true">Beginner's Guide to Wand Motions</a></div>
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-Hogwarts Acceptance Letter</div>
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-"Swish and Flick" (made in ppt)</div>
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-"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy" (made in ppt)</div>
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-<a href="https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=gTcwoF%2fI&id=B063C8F95F0FED2BBD12C6E9BD25A5269B7C45CB&thid=OIP.gTcwoF_IsxLOI9VavEZ3hAHaKd&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2f736x%2fcb%2f3b%2f38%2fcb3b3837f5fbd2e219a4c71c53f9dda9.jpg&exph=1040&expw=736&q=undesribale+number+one&simid=607993751813162793&selectedIndex=1&ajaxhist=0">Harry Potter Undesirable Number One </a></div>
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<b>Library Organization:</b></div>
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My entire library is organized by genre/student interest. Confession--I used to organize my entire library by levels. I've seen first hand how that system affects a student. There is nothing worse than when someone or something tells you cannot read a book because "it's not in your level". I want my library to promote reading and it starts with all students being able to choose whatever book their little heart desires! You will notice colored bands around each book spine. Those are apart of our reading intervention program called American Reading. Yes, that is a leveling system. What is really great about American Reading's leveling system is that it takes into account vocabulary & content. Although I try to read most of the books in my library, I cannot possibly read them all! The colors are their to help me see what might be inside each book. My students have no idea what the colors mean and I will always keep it that way! Great example of the effectiveness of American Reading's leveling system is this example!</div>
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"Thirteen Reasons Why" is labeled as a 3.9 (3rd grade, 9th month) by Accelerated Reader versus a purple (6th grade level) by American Reading. I'm sorry, but NO 3rd GRADER SHOULD BE READING "THIRTEEN REASONS WHY"!</div>
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Anywho, I could talk about the classroom library for days so I'm going to stop myself there! </div>
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<b>Design Elements You See:</b></div>
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-Wired bins are from Target Dollar Spot--last season</div>
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-Tall plastic bins are from <a href="https://www.containerstore.com/s/multi-purpose-bins/d?productId=10022942&refinements=~register_price%3A0..10&q=plastic%20storage%20bins">The Container Store</a> (Size M)</div>
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-Genre labels are from my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wizard-Themed-Classroom-Decor-3735879">Harry Potter Decor Set</a><br />
-Black rugs are from <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Manchester-Shag-Area-Rug-or-Runner-Collection-Multiple-Colors-and-Sizes/45702218?variantFieldId=actual_color">Walmart</a></div>
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<b>Step Three: Bulletin Boards</b></div>
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In years past, I have used bulletin boards for more "pretty" displays versus purposeful displays. This year, I wanted to use EVERY SINGLE INCH of my classroom & this started with me changing up my bulletin boards. </div>
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<b>+Interactive grammar board</b>- I use @thehungryteacher5th's mentor sentences. If you are a middle school teacher and wanting to change they way you teach grammar, Martina's <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mentor-Sentences-for-Middle-School-Grammar-6th-7th-8th-CCSS-Aligned-BUNDLE-3229003">TpT product</a> is a MUST! </div>
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Over 77% of my school is identified as ESL. Grammar can already be quite tricky for many of my students and I wanted to add to my already awesome grammar instruction. This is where @hello_fifth's <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Language-Wall-Pieces-to-Build-Grammar-Skills-3692497">interactive grammar board</a> comes in! Student's will be able to interact, discuss, & dissect our weekly sentence & I cannot wait to see this in action!</div>
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<b>+Anchor Chart Central: </b>You will notice that I have 3 different spots for anchor charts. One will be used for math and the others are for reading and writing. I always create anchor charts for every lesson. They are a great resource for students to use when they become stuck while completing independent work. </div>
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-Black paper is from <a href="https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/teaching-resources/classroom-essentials/fadeless-paper-rollssup-sup/p/TA301">Lakeshore</a></div>
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-Curtain rods are from <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Spring-Tension-Window-Curtain-Rod-7-16-Diameter-18-28-Length/50015124">Walmart</a> (silver finish)</div>
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-Hung curtain rods with <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Command-Small-Stainless-Steel-Metal-Hooks-6-Hooks-8-Strips-Holds-0-5-lb/822572922">hook command strips</a>. I secure the area by stapling around the command strip and coloring over the staple with black permanent marker to camouflage it. I attached the anchor chart to the rods by using <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bali-1-Curtain-Rings-with-Clips-Available-in-Multiple-Colors/44555959">this</a>!</div>
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-Magnolia garland is originally from TJ Maxx & I found it on clearance for $17! Here is a great substitute from <a href="https://www.hobbylobby.com/Floral-Wedding/Bushes-Garlands/Garlands/6-Green-Magnolia-Leaf-Garland/p/151418">Hobby Lobby</a>. I have this by my calendar. There is always a coupon for Hobby Lobby and I paid about $7.50 for it!</div>
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<b>TIP:</b> Use your phone as a leveler! If you swipe left on the compass app, it turns into a leveler! This is how I kept everything straight!</div>
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<b>Step Four: Adding fun Harry Potter elements</b></div>
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Keeping with the farmhouse theme as my base, I implemented different elements to tie in Harry Potter. </div>
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<b>Classroom Norms: </b>These are based off of Ron Clark's "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Award-Winning-Educators-Discovering-Successful/dp/0786888164/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532123865&sr=8-1&keywords=essential+55">Essential 55</a>". This is my second year doing them and I will never go back! Obviously, I had to redesign them to match my theme...this is where the educational decree design comes in! It was so much fun redesigning my norms that I think I will keep them this way for years to come! This display was super inexpensive too. I spent a total about of $13. All frames can be found at the Dollar Tree. Don't be afraid to mix and match the frames! </div>
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<b>Floating Candles: </b>THEY WERE MUST! I created my own for my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf_6RVmhH6-/?taken-by=mrssclassroomcraziness">Harry Potter room transformation</a>, but I wanted to step up my game. I purchased these remote controlled candles from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E16CHW2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a>! Used hot glue to attach the fishing line & attached the fishing line to the ceiling with a tack! Place the candles are different levels. This will help create the look you see in the movies.</div>
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<b>Floating Letters: </b>They were much easier to make than you think. All you need it <a href="http://www.michaels.com/cardstock-value-pack-by-recollections/10145989.html#q=brown+craft+paper&start=1">brown craft paper</a>, a printer, fishing line, two wooden rods, & tape! I will be doing a separate blog post with a step-by-step tutorial on how to create these yourself! </div>
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<b>Large Farmhouse Harry Potter Quote: </b>Using the fonts I listed above, I used my Cricut to cut out all of the letters. It took me about 2 hours to get them all done, but it was well worth it! I used a glue stick to attach each letter to the bulletin board paper. You will also notice book pages! I recycled one of my old "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and began gluing chapters 1-7. I did this BEFORE I did the second half of the quote! </div>
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<b>TIP:</b> Always walk back from a large design to make sure you can see the big picture pan out! Make sure each line is straight and you like where the design is going!</div>
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I think that's everything! I'm so in love with my classroom this year. I still can't believe how well everything turned out. Thank you all for your love & support during this process. You made it more fun! Remember, you can create a space you love too!</div>
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<br />6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-27693793369393652072017-11-21T13:28:00.001-08:002017-11-21T15:51:38.669-08:00Historical Fiction Picture Books for Middle School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwOqNb6dX2R1t8qL8ID4oGJp3W21rTesYurJsgIEQf2vfBsI-bc_B4W9mXKFqlXWvQKtvx-4SqHnDoeA6BNrvLN71F_VpdvOKGrvzZEuZaXoZv4LVObIUgZvEW457Vbj4YDXRiW8SlfM/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwOqNb6dX2R1t8qL8ID4oGJp3W21rTesYurJsgIEQf2vfBsI-bc_B4W9mXKFqlXWvQKtvx-4SqHnDoeA6BNrvLN71F_VpdvOKGrvzZEuZaXoZv4LVObIUgZvEW457Vbj4YDXRiW8SlfM/s1600/Slide1.PNG" /></a></div>
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<b>Picture books can be used in ANY classroom.</b> They are a perfect tool to use to teach skills and strategies in reading and writing! In Jen Jones' recent post on Instagram she stated, "If there's one thing that we can help readers, teachers, parents, and principals understand...picture books are NOT easy books. Like ANYTHING, the level of sophistication and complexity with questioning and discussion is on us. Elevate the thinking expectation and your students will blow you away." </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzfaTsD_cz1pJoG8LHFFX0Yz6o1-xCSWRDhd5ap_tXnCFyG4U99dMgoyYtmAAS14iKHXvYOg7kcO_erBAL_jd5ghBM-Rfr-3jxXfaph6reVD5Z30cS_T3yZriFWUkH3yCwk9hv33LEsM/s1600/jen+jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzfaTsD_cz1pJoG8LHFFX0Yz6o1-xCSWRDhd5ap_tXnCFyG4U99dMgoyYtmAAS14iKHXvYOg7kcO_erBAL_jd5ghBM-Rfr-3jxXfaph6reVD5Z30cS_T3yZriFWUkH3yCwk9hv33LEsM/s1600/jen+jones.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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I model with picture books <b>every single day</b> in my 6th grade classroom. I use them to teach conflict, setting, character development, synthesizing, inferring, context clues, and even decoding skills. One of the most powerful statements I heard from a student last year was, "When Mrs. Schrempp uses picture books to teach, it just clicks!" (cue tears)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDdw_Mm9bt4tHhFPAlSokCLxYiuDTkR_RafYtfqnbBwvzk2YQ-p9LnZ7xeFERIIDPdW8RT7w9ZWUhSqZ4LmWrpGbcDs2_MhsjORrw_-DkQXvup8CIqEQspQmTabTMQAj6gmFrloK5eok/s1600/one+more.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="1092" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDdw_Mm9bt4tHhFPAlSokCLxYiuDTkR_RafYtfqnbBwvzk2YQ-p9LnZ7xeFERIIDPdW8RT7w9ZWUhSqZ4LmWrpGbcDs2_MhsjORrw_-DkQXvup8CIqEQspQmTabTMQAj6gmFrloK5eok/s1600/one+more.png" /></a><b>Your library should reflect the students in your classroom. </b>Displaying diverse books throughout the year helps children discover who
they are and where they fit in the world. It is crucial that children
gain an understanding of their own culture and the cultures of other
people, in order to create a global respect for each other’s
differences. Be sure that you are providing your students the opportunities to see the struggles that EVERY culture has gone through. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p2kpmpUYJhIrtmvQzAXPp39FXG5anHsDfxmOAI6Hyc29Z91oxdYt1B4jJexxNrwuhvRbOMV4gNXqRazLsGoFY1YuUHLVBUsYv0PGM7w1D96krfF97tPc0bY2uvP70G5mJyL17ugzjlk/s1600/book+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="1092" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p2kpmpUYJhIrtmvQzAXPp39FXG5anHsDfxmOAI6Hyc29Z91oxdYt1B4jJexxNrwuhvRbOMV4gNXqRazLsGoFY1YuUHLVBUsYv0PGM7w1D96krfF97tPc0bY2uvP70G5mJyL17ugzjlk/s1600/book+2.png" /></a></div>
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<b><u>A New Coat for Anna</u></b> | A beautiful story about a mother trying to provide for her daughter after WWII in Europe.<br />
<u><b>The Bracelet</b></u> | This is a story about a young Japanese-American who is struggling to understand why the American government decided to place ALL Japanese-Americans in internment camps during WWII. It is a story about the power of friendship and family.<br />
<b><u>Saved by the Boats</u></b> | This story focuses on a part of September 11th that many of us never heard about in the news or read about in newspapers. <i>Saved by the Boats</i> talks about the heroic sea evacuation of September 11th.<br />
<b><u>The Whispering Town</u></b> | Through the eyes of Anett, you learn about the bravery of families hiding Jews in Denmark during WWII.<br />
<b><u>Henry's Freedom Box</u></b> | A true, but unknown story about an African-American man's will to survive during the mid-1800's in America.<br />
<b><u>Baseball Saved Us</u></b> | In 1942, the United States was at war with Japan. The U.S army moved all people of Japanese descent to internment camps in the middle of American deserts. This story follows how baseball brought a community together during and after the war.<br />
<b><u>Heroes of the Surf</u></b> | On April 22nd, 1882, the British steamship Pliny left Rio de Janerio, Brazil headed for New York City. A storm caused the Pliny to run aground off the coast of New Jersey. This story follows the tale of how the United States Coast Guard was created.<br />
<u><b>Train to Somewhere</b></u> | From the mid-1850's till the late 1920's, an estimated 100,000 homeless children were sent by train from New York City to small towns and farms in the Midwest. This is the story of fourteen orphan children, going West, dreaming of a better life. All aboard the Orphan Train. <br />
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<b>Listed below are the 26 titles I have available in my classroom library!</b></div>
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<b>Happy Reading!</b>6thgradeteachersforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286641543419293378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1199623110952602848.post-28858976928971322132017-10-14T13:28:00.001-07:002018-08-04T11:10:20.313-07:00Spy Lab Classroom Transformation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgncZeidZzbZaqfLtHN_bYvo51cVm_hJEytjIKAiwtK3RFnE932RFB_Kgp-cfI34QTj7c9BOBpqOLWlLV9ngd8sUS9cq-NleNNdsxICh9kMJlk5upmLd9OKrN_iKmCjwgScTQDJ8CWXk/s1600/title+page-spy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgncZeidZzbZaqfLtHN_bYvo51cVm_hJEytjIKAiwtK3RFnE932RFB_Kgp-cfI34QTj7c9BOBpqOLWlLV9ngd8sUS9cq-NleNNdsxICh9kMJlk5upmLd9OKrN_iKmCjwgScTQDJ8CWXk/s1600/title+page-spy.png" /></a></div>
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This is by far one of my favorite room transformations I've ever done! My students demonstrated mastery of over 10 reading, writing, and math standards. They were even reading a high school level text! BUT before we get to the niddy griddy of the content standards that were covered, let's first talk about....HOW THE HECK DID YOU DO THIS TO YOU ROOM? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXk4OOn9DBZ1imVZkC33nRzFzRfZx5I9Oav2_cZhOHwDk-h50_6UuZkhyrd9j9AFgU-9zauZxSX6M-E8GU4LzyPAwzq8QqvvGsON02846xk97UoJvkXChy9FOSOQelG8utY5mYUyEN7I/s1600/line.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9" data-original-width="1600" height="2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXk4OOn9DBZ1imVZkC33nRzFzRfZx5I9Oav2_cZhOHwDk-h50_6UuZkhyrd9j9AFgU-9zauZxSX6M-E8GU4LzyPAwzq8QqvvGsON02846xk97UoJvkXChy9FOSOQelG8utY5mYUyEN7I/s640/line.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ6pq6K3EjJqyeaVBQD0CUyy-6T1u-Rm3-WwIBxnAyzJlsy42e8tpBDpKdsZ1xp_26SCVvBtSNiv88BHPRUsogcXdjCVEqyr5v9P-MsJZktB5EvLhLkghQysRMVkr0yL0fX514EOp3B8/s1600/the+set+up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ6pq6K3EjJqyeaVBQD0CUyy-6T1u-Rm3-WwIBxnAyzJlsy42e8tpBDpKdsZ1xp_26SCVvBtSNiv88BHPRUsogcXdjCVEqyr5v9P-MsJZktB5EvLhLkghQysRMVkr0yL0fX514EOp3B8/s1600/the+set+up.png" /></a>It seriously only took me a hour after school. THAT'S IT! All I had to do is hang up was white string and black paper. So easy! Remember, room transformations are not about you spending an arm and a leg. Its about changing your room in a way that creates an atmosphere for your students. I'll let you in on a little secret....kids are super easy to impress!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR73L2CBAXK8xeK717LfAB1tzWe2hrVrcttOrHhim_ieqIi_zhMI0SfnxNjbjrSUe9M7_eAm6ugswRTKkdxMEGCEnacbbdguC4ydG1Fr5mEEJxK0nc9XRRX6DjanxGXfKrl0rHbUahPI/s1600/stepone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR73L2CBAXK8xeK717LfAB1tzWe2hrVrcttOrHhim_ieqIi_zhMI0SfnxNjbjrSUe9M7_eAm6ugswRTKkdxMEGCEnacbbdguC4ydG1Fr5mEEJxK0nc9XRRX6DjanxGXfKrl0rHbUahPI/s1600/stepone.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KAbecyFPdfRRi_CIpuZVNh_c5pGoS5wudffGnehk-ihtzunI3xc7BbBI3G6QFWQ6m9v7InOetebZwUzlw43yZA8kPo401tuSbCKi949RPX1gr1YsHHrgwVXPU9A0iACKL22lVt6OX9s/s1600/string.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="844" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KAbecyFPdfRRi_CIpuZVNh_c5pGoS5wudffGnehk-ihtzunI3xc7BbBI3G6QFWQ6m9v7InOetebZwUzlw43yZA8kPo401tuSbCKi949RPX1gr1YsHHrgwVXPU9A0iACKL22lVt6OX9s/s320/string.png" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbpoTzC4gl3kK9NX-wvbiHximpXl6WYVaaAvEGw8F-KXQHaozszouzBaZyf03OLaDaUrOf1G67sb8uQBEuEAy6bCJkypqysBvlTP6l2mJSsM8AxbfhBn3D9H9EPuSrD_eVV9RG3QZv0k/s1600/black+lights.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbpoTzC4gl3kK9NX-wvbiHximpXl6WYVaaAvEGw8F-KXQHaozszouzBaZyf03OLaDaUrOf1G67sb8uQBEuEAy6bCJkypqysBvlTP6l2mJSsM8AxbfhBn3D9H9EPuSrD_eVV9RG3QZv0k/s320/black+lights.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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........and black paper! You can decide how crazy you want to get! You can create walls of black paper OR you can cover up all of the posters/objects that will glow because of the black light! Don't forget your windows either! THE ROOM MUST BE DARK! I used two high powered black lights! Each cost $35. Yes that is expensive, but I do plan on using them for multiple transformations and for years to come. My teammate purchased less expensive ones. I will link both below! The bigger your room is, the more lights you will need! I recommend at least two be used!</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/OPPSK-9LEDx3W-Black-Light-Metallic/dp/B01HCSEFEY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1508203512&sr=8-3&keywords=black+lights">expensive lights</a> & <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002F5544/ref=sxr_rr_xsim_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3008523062&pd_rd_wg=okFkm&pf_rd_r=Y7MCFCSKQM8K60ZNYKVZ&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B0002F5544&pd_rd_w=T738v&pf_rd_i=blacklight&pd_rd_r=59b5ca56-b2da-11e7-b5b7-db3e6f7ca885&ie=UTF8&qid=1508203653&sr=1">cheap lights</a><br />
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Next, you will need to have 5 vanilla folders. You will then paste on the "confidential" signs on each file and place the biographies, code, blank profiles, and loose leaf paper inside! Be sure to label the corner of each file so students know where they are going once they were cleared! I placed a cross, check, star, square, or circle on each student's hand in highlighter. When students entered, they will see the code! The code leads them to their group's file. Be sure each table has enough highlighters and small flashlights!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FXYZAGIwJbo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FXYZAGIwJbo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh78c38icLld2ZzEaQm6g8aLIXLR1iuSlDhRFP9mdlPdyYn3cHs4LHyxmLeTF3xqqFJKlt6-ZBNDqugdM8d03BCZDbjWMOgwHcj-9e8TnDsEn5y8hau7rqdhE3D1rDZGlAbyDeW4nlRxg/s1600/file.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh78c38icLld2ZzEaQm6g8aLIXLR1iuSlDhRFP9mdlPdyYn3cHs4LHyxmLeTF3xqqFJKlt6-ZBNDqugdM8d03BCZDbjWMOgwHcj-9e8TnDsEn5y8hau7rqdhE3D1rDZGlAbyDeW4nlRxg/s320/file.png" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXXU1rRkxZU649A3Dmm5JB4MO_3odqXS-DdJBzjsIrPXlvRfOOM6SAxzcdGxUZegcJ6SMmfM5YmbSw6XUwZ90r11NO70K0CgjDF8E1t5M8zuzZHgBpMljOspAyTesSBfVEK23bLygOkQ/s1600/flashlights.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXXU1rRkxZU649A3Dmm5JB4MO_3odqXS-DdJBzjsIrPXlvRfOOM6SAxzcdGxUZegcJ6SMmfM5YmbSw6XUwZ90r11NO70K0CgjDF8E1t5M8zuzZHgBpMljOspAyTesSBfVEK23bLygOkQ/s320/flashlights.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before students entered the spy lab, they had to be cleared. I download this free app! It makes super cool noises and gets the job done! <br />
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Task one takes the longest! Remember, I teach 6th grade so I was able to ask a little more from my students. Although my students completed three large tasks, you can easily cut down the amount based on your grade level.</div>
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Earlier that week, my students were learning about non-fiction text structures. Determining text structure of a text isn't the most fun thing in the world, so I knew I had to find a different way to spice it up. All week I kept telling my students that they will have a "pop" quiz and that they needed to pay close attention to text clues. The day before, I read a chapter out of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Game-Stories-Invisible-Moles/dp/0763660663/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1508206422&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=the+dark+games+book">The Dark Games</a> titled <u>Invisible Ink</u>. I had to really play this up because they had no idea why I pulled this random book out of my library. It's a quick read and is full of super cool information about how spies shared intelligence.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHbUesbMRu9L8nKGAXmyeXp_8xsha4dQ_DLK5r7_jOXv214oInMkJMQfhaPCPnSDpAuBy8RuPlLHE-hlnKOS585rvAtyfDBV56S652RIDuImX_a7LdpeRtV6ltF6rF-EMcAwZ8CvsIa4/s1600/all+the+things.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHbUesbMRu9L8nKGAXmyeXp_8xsha4dQ_DLK5r7_jOXv214oInMkJMQfhaPCPnSDpAuBy8RuPlLHE-hlnKOS585rvAtyfDBV56S652RIDuImX_a7LdpeRtV6ltF6rF-EMcAwZ8CvsIa4/s320/all+the+things.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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One thing to keep in mind if you plan on using this text IT IS RIGOROUS! The text is meant for high school students (9th or 10th graders). I would not recommend this text for a 4th grade classroom. It worked well for me because most of my students have developed the skills to comprehend most text no matter the level. You can easily find other biographies about the spies I used so that it is more appropriate for your classroom. Listed below are the spy biographies that my students analyzed. </div>
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<li>Virgina Hall</li>
<li>Juan Pujol</li>
<li>Elizabeth Van Lew</li>
<li>Rose O'Neale Greenhow</li>
<li>Robert Hanssen </li>
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Each group had enough copies for each student. This will help keep EVERY student accountable. Here are the steps to complete task one</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Read Biography! This will take each group at least 30 minutes!</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Determine the text structure by finding text clues</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Once group determines the correct text structure, it is time to crack the code!</li>
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This is where most groups become frustrated and I loved it! I mean, you can't be a secret agent and now be expected to crack a code! Remember how I read the chapter on invisible ink? Well, I was able to tell who was actually paying attention. Students did not realize that the simple white sheet of paper that was in their file actually contained a code! I also placed a "bl" in the corner to give them a clue. Once students noticed the secret code it was time for them to crack it! Each code started with the phrase "All clues lead to..." and ended with the biography's text structure (description, cause and effect..etc). To create a code, I had each phrase either be the letter before or the letter after! Here is an example.</div>
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zkk bktdr kdzc sn <b>OR</b> bmm dmvfr mfbe up </div>
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(add text structure at the end! Be sure to follow the same pattern all the way through!)</div>
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Typically, you have to give the some clues to help! I do let each group struggle for a good 10 minutes before providing clues! I did have 2 groups out of the 5 actually solve the code without my help so it is possible!</div>
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Once each group completed task one, I added a little surprise!</div>
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It was time to spice things up. Students were working hard, but I couldn't let this mission be that easy. Que the government break in! Luckily I already had a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/COIDEA-Karaoke-Portable-Activated-Festival/dp/B01JO7AEK0/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1508208561&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=disco+ball&psc=1&smid=A1LG56YLCK76N3">disco ball</a> attached to my classroom speaker. I slowly walked over to my computer, stopped the current "spy music" and turned on the blinking red light. All of the sudden, this sound went over the speaker.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y4w9qfrvboU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y4w9qfrvboU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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I created a PPT that stated someone was trying to break in. Obviously I had to play this part up. I did not break character the entire time! I would not respond unless they called me Agent Shadow. I wore sunglasses the entire time and crawled across the floor. THE KIDS LOVED IT!!!</div>
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Once I started the PowerPoint, students were informed that if they wanted the vault to be shut, they'd have to solve the math problem before time was up! It was a multi-step problem that was solved in minute. I WAS IMPRESSED! </div>
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Once the vault was shut, each group resume back to their normal tasks. I linked the timer I used below!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K4Ik18QswHo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K4Ik18QswHo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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Task three and four go by quickly, but are the most important steps! This is where students are showing mastery of academic standards. Based on each biography's text structure, students were asked to place information inside a graphic organizer. This helps each group decide what information is most important and will set them up for success in task four. Be sure you are looking closely and coach groups when needed!</div>
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Last but not least, task four! The National Security Agency needs each spy profile to be recreated. Each group is required to record the most important information on the provided sheet. This requires them to go back into the text and use their already create graphic organizer to help determine what is needed! Once you approve of each profile, students have then completed the spy lab!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEVTrBGnDqOQfm8_WBJexhkbgfpW-yNd0xZUMoJjYmGug2r_pcFLV30IMpsBWCbDPKwaH57IZWdYT9pODtegSWonoO5MEVl4o_nrgPj6YpjB4j2GIwZLlDF4FkE2__J6j07qWE3OW2Ds/s1600/students+in+actoion.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="844" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEVTrBGnDqOQfm8_WBJexhkbgfpW-yNd0xZUMoJjYmGug2r_pcFLV30IMpsBWCbDPKwaH57IZWdYT9pODtegSWonoO5MEVl4o_nrgPj6YpjB4j2GIwZLlDF4FkE2__J6j07qWE3OW2Ds/s320/students+in+actoion.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnCBa7Akh07HgwpLy8h3yRifwm38FzcsD9JNOdtrUBdY2JAgXqunr4pc58I1gj3dg7qkGgSahaDdYiIjTOtJ3R0fRhPAKWiMR1M-9mQRkHOgZ2w8XtlaEnZgx7x1NpUI6469qyjIcBYY/s1600/picture+of+students+highlighting.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="844" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnCBa7Akh07HgwpLy8h3yRifwm38FzcsD9JNOdtrUBdY2JAgXqunr4pc58I1gj3dg7qkGgSahaDdYiIjTOtJ3R0fRhPAKWiMR1M-9mQRkHOgZ2w8XtlaEnZgx7x1NpUI6469qyjIcBYY/s320/picture+of+students+highlighting.png" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeeM-vEv7xNKEvgp8IAyKyp-bcF-o4wVJUAnTbg2Pq0phzcLWiOFRpvTZa60sjsrSxcs9uckhFLeVAktFd8P1j0DBQvf59wM0Cgf7Lmkkk2tqCkZ4vadvw0XXeX5fzQht0BaWbDUAz4s/s1600/code.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1125" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeeM-vEv7xNKEvgp8IAyKyp-bcF-o4wVJUAnTbg2Pq0phzcLWiOFRpvTZa60sjsrSxcs9uckhFLeVAktFd8P1j0DBQvf59wM0Cgf7Lmkkk2tqCkZ4vadvw0XXeX5fzQht0BaWbDUAz4s/s320/code.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Here are the reading standards covered in this spy lab:</b></div>
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<a class="identifier" href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RI/6/1/" name="CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1">CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1</a></div>
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Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.</div>
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<a class="identifier" href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RI/6/3/" name="CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3">CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3</a></div>
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Analyze
in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced,
illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or
anecdotes).</div>
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<a class="identifier" href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RI/6/7/" name="CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7">CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7</a></div>
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Integrate
information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually,
quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding
of a topic or issue.</div>
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<a class="identifier" href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RI/6/10/" name="CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.10">CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.10</a></div>
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By
the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the
grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed
at the high end of the range. </div>
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I adapted all of my documents from Elizabeth Ruff! Here is the link to her <a href="http://elizabethraff.com/2016/12/04/spy-lab/spy-lab-docs/">documents</a>. </div>
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Please do not hesitate to emailed me or comment below with any questions! </div>
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