Metacognition Masters

We spent the better first half of our year really focused on different strategies for thinking while we read (aka. metacognition). Here are a few different tools of the trade we use on a daily basis that have helped us become "Metacognition Masters".

First up, our "Metacognition Wall" found in our classroom library.

It contains the anchor charts we utilized as we learned about each strategy along with key phrases the students can use in sharing that type of thinking.

The students also have a mini copy in their reading notebooks shown below. You can grab a free copy of this printable here. (Note: It looks small/does not take up the whole page, so that when you print it will fit on a notebook page.)

In addition to key phrases in their notebooks, the students also have thought bubbles that they use while reading to remind them to be thinking as well as quick reference bookmarks that they often use during read-to-self.

The bookmarks can be downloaded here.

As a final project to demonstrate their understanding of the various thinking strategies, our third graders this year each selected a "good fit", fiction text to read, think about and utilize to create a piece of writing titled "Metacognition" in which they shared information about the strategies and how they used them with their readers.

Here is an example of how the students jotted down their thinking to begin "generating their ideas" on post-its.

After reading and jotting down all of their thinking, I asked the students to go back and star 3 of the post-its, each a good example of a different type of metacognition that they would like to use in writing their piece.

They then went through the writing process to develop a multi paragraph piece about their writing like the one shown below.

They read all of their pieces and shared the books they utilized in small groups before we headed out on winter break. It was a great way for the kids to engage in discussions about reading and writing and learn about different book options for future reading in the classroom as well!

What are some of your tips, tricks, and goodies for teaching metacognition?

Hidden Treasure Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everyone! This is our first full week of school so I am trying to brace myself for another 3 days ahead! 

To spice up this day of the week a bit for myself and for you all, I thought I'd try something new. 

Thus, welcome to the very first edition of "Hidden Treasure Tuesday"!

Graphics/Fonts: Kevin & Amanda, Erin Bradley, MyCuteGraphics

I realized in trying to locate and gather resources for many of our new staff members, that I have a lot of hidden resources tucked away in all of my trusty computer files and folders that I created prior to my blogging life and/or simply didn't get around to sharing with you! I thought to myself, what better time then the present to potentially unlock some of these beauties for all of you! It's proving to be a good review for me as well to remind myself of all that I have!

That being said, this Tuesday, I am sharing with you all some retelling guides that I created last year based upon our district expectations for this task that my students used as a resource in writing about texts.

The first is a fiction retell guide which gives the students sentence starters as well as key ideas to think about in organizing and writing a fiction story summary. In my dual language classroom, I printed these back to back (English/Spanish), cut them in half, then laminated them and presented one to each student. My students then utilized Expo markers and worked to check off the boxes as they completed writing each portion of the summary. Obviously, they utilized the English or Spanish side depending on the language of the text read. 

Later in the school year, we switched our focus more toward retelling a non-fiction text. My students also had a guide of a similar format that they used to organize their writing of this type of summary. Once again, I printed, cut, and laminated them back-to-back for my kids. 

You can click on either of the images to grab you own copy of these guides to help your students organize their writing of story summaries!

Graphics/fonts for each: Kimberly Geswein, Krista Wallden

Look forward to more hidden treasures next Tuesday!

Announcing...my new position and a new product!

Well for those who have not already heard about it on my facebook page I have accepted a new position as the "Dual Instructional Coach" at my current building! I know you are all probably wondering what this entails (as am I, as it is a new position ;)), but so far I know that I will be working with our dual language and bilingual staff to mentor, model, co-teach, provide feedback and professional development, help new staff members get accustomed to the dual life, etc. I will be working with K-5 classroom teachers along with any involved support staff as well. I am quite excited, as I know this next year there is going be such a huge learning curve for me as well as will provide me with so many opportunities to grow as a teacher and professional! I still intend to share ideas with all of you as my journey continues and will be looking to you all more than ever for new ideas as well! Thank you for your endless support!

That being said, I have a new product!

My students use these posters during whole class lessons, independent retells, oral retells in centers, you name it. They are quite the useful resource for them!

To celebrate my new position with you all (particularly because networking with my blog family has made me the stronger teacher I am today!), I am giving away this product away for free to the first 5 who comment sharing how you would use these posters or even better, who share one of your favorite "story summary" activities you do with your class! (I need to build my K-5 idea bank ;)!) Don't forget to include your email in the comment so that I can send them to you!

A little anchor chart action...

Just a few of our latest anchor charts to share with you guys today! Some are in English, some Spanish- but they could work for either or-- just a little translatin ;)!

On Friday, we went over the parts of a plant and created this quick anchor chart:

Then my students created these cute little flip books describing the purpose of each part:

Today, we discussed what a plant needs to survive and created this anchor chart:

You can grab the flip book as well as activity pages to go along with these anchor charts in English and Spanish as part of my "A Little Dirt Never Hurt" unit. Click on the image if you are feelin the urge to check it out!

To continue on our anchor chart journal...we finished up our review of long vowels today and created this anchor chart as a source of reference for our "sound" wall!

(Don't judge the "Hola!"- I realized I wrote it in Spanish after I snapped the photo. A little language confusion on my part! - Gotta change that tomorrow ;)- It's hard to keep it straight sometimes!)

Finally- I just recently ordered these genre posters from "Really Good Stuff" -which I love! They are super colorful- and the best part is they come in English...and are you ready for this....SPANISH too!

Aren't they pretty. There is the big yellow one that shares all of the genre names. Then there are little definition posters that go along with it, and a space to select one of the definition posters to put in the middle of the main one. It's great because you can place your focus genre there! I just love them because they are so colorful. Check out how they spice up our library area "reading" wall...

Are you lovin' that pop of color as much as I am?!