A Fluency Reading Log

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I took a much needed personal day today.  The hubby and I went to a movie (Reese Witherspoon's new movie:  This Means War)  It was very funny!  I highly recommend it for a date night;)    Now, tomorrow will be Tuesday.  A very BUSY yet much shorter week is ahead.  Today was full of fun...

But...I did do a little work today...

Once I get an idea, I just have to start working on it right away!  Conferences are approaching and my kiddos need a little extra help remembering to read each night.  Since they're all working on their "storyteller voice" I thought I'd create a reading log reflecting that focus.  My goal is to send it home every Monday. During the week students can record the number of minutes read and choose a specific fluency goal.  Reading logs are to be returned the following Monday for a new one.  If anything, perhaps this will help guide their reading time in the evenings!


Click {HERE} to get the reading log.

The Fluency Reading Log is formatted for 2 weeks.  I plan to cut the sheet in half for a 1 week version:)

Readers Use Many Strategies So They Don't Sound Like Robots!

Happy Sunday!  Most of my report cards are complete and I have scheduled a personal day for tomorrow.  Not a bad way to start a busy week of report cards and conferences!

Last week I created bookmarks for my students to use at home and school reminding them of the ways they can work on their fluency.   After listening to several of my sweeties read aloud last week, I decided to make a poster to hang in the popular curl up and read areas of my room to gently remind them of the qualities of a great reader!  See an earlier entry from last week for the bookmark.

Have a wonderful week!

Click {HERE} to download the fluency poster!

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Follow Your Heart!

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Following the ever popular Heart Map from Pinterest, I created a sign to use with my students' heart map display.  Feel free to use it in your classroom, too!

Click {HERE} to download the Follow Your Heart sign!

Fluency Bookmark

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Just a quick post tonight!

My students are working on fluency skills...as are most second graders!  After reviewing qualities of a fluent reader, I sent my kiddos off to practice with a partner.  One student asked, "Mrs. Meurlin, do you have a bookmark with the clues for me to follow?"  At that moment, I did not...but I do now!  I already sent these to the copy center for tomorrow!

Click {HERE} to download it!

Oh, Beautiful for Spacious Skies...

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My second grade sweeties will be diving into the wonderful world of LANDFORMS this week!  After much searching and scouring of the internet, I was quite disappointed in the materials I found for this science unit.  I am tying the study of landforms in with our informational writing unit.  I created a few powerpoint presentations introducing mountains, plains, and valleys.  Next week I will add plateaus, oceans, lakes, and rivers.  In addition to the power point presentations, I created a Learning Log for each landform which corresponds with the information presented in the powerpoint.  My students will complete the Learning Log for each landform as we view the powerpoint.  At the end of the unit, each student will choose one landform to present on.  I am still working out the details of the final project...I'll keep you posted!

Landform Powerpoint Presentations... (hills, plateaus, oceans, lakes, and rivers are COMING SOON!)

Landform Introduction
Mountains
Plains
Valleys

Landform Learning Logs...

Landform Learning Log Cover Page
Mountains
Plains
Valleys

I MUSTACHE you a question...

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The glitter covered valentines have all been passed out, the HEART bingo game was a huge success, and our "I MUSTACHE you a question...will you be my Valentine?" craft project brought smile to the parents faces.  Overall, I think our Valentine's Day party was a hit!  I hope your Valentine's Day was just as wonderful:)

Click on the link below to download a copy of the phrases used in the project above!

I MUSTACHE YOU A QUESTION...WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?

Editing Checklist

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To encourage my students to work through the editing process with fidelity, I have created an editing checklist for them to keep in their writing binders.  Feel free to use this Editing Tips Checklist in your classroom!

Be sure to check out Regie Routman's suggestions of how to model editing and rereading with your students.

Click {HERE} to download the two page editing checklist.

The Secrets of Second Graders!

I discovered a hidden gem of a lesson in Regie Routman's Writing Essentials titled "The Secrets of Second Graders."  My students have been divulging the cutest little secrets of their 7 and 8 year old existences.  This unit explored the expansion of ideas through sharing of stories with other authors.  Here is the assessment I plan to use at the end of the unit.  Each student will review one classmate's writing using this tool.

Enjoy!

Click {HERE} to get the assessment tool!

For The Secrets of Second Graders unit my students will use these graphics to decorate their Top Secret File.

Send me a message if you would like the title to say a different grade level.  I'd be happy to send you an updated file!

Click {HERE} to download!

Let's Make Valentines!

Today Darling Daughter, Hunky Husband, and I made valentines for our little angel to pass out to her friends.  I adapted this idea from an idea on Pinterest. (Surprise, Surprise!)

Click {HERE} to see the idea on Pinterest!

I created the label in Pages using the curly cue frame from Fancy Dog Studios (see her shop on ESTY!).  The fonts (smiley monster and wish i were taller) are from Kevin & Amanda at kevinandamanda.com.   Each baggie is filled with Teddy Grahams and gummy bears.  Since some of her friends are in the 1 and under age range, their bags only have teddy grahams.

I hope your little sweetie enjoys making these as much as mine did!

DD couldn't wait to open her own Valentine, so I made an extra bag for her to snack on during this lazy Saturday afternoon.

Welcome to Blogging!

After discovering Pinterest this summer and then exploring all of the great teacher blogs out there...I've decided to try blogging!  I am a second grade teacher in Caledonia, Michigan and hope to share the amazing work my sweeties create as well as the resources I use to design our learning adventures!

In addition, I enjoy creating craft projects with my darling 2 year old daughter, Lilian.  You will see many of our projects on this site as well!