Isn’t it funny how we teachers are ALWAYS in teacher mode? Two days out of school, and I’m already planning lessons, units, and ideas. I am working on a Patricia Polacco author study and a mini unit that goes with How I Spent my Summer Vacation. I love the planning and creating process! It’s good for me to have something to focus on. I’m also busy getting ready to lead VBS crafts at church next week. What was I thinking? I have to get lots of tedious materials ready for 160 kiddos. I think everything has a million tiny pieces…lol. But, it will be fun, and it will be worth it!
I had a question for all you guys. I teach in a private Christian school. We use the A Beka curriculum and it so regimented and so structured that I have a hard time fitting in all of the other ideas I have. Next year, I will be using the Bob Jones University curriculum for math. I’m excited about that change, because I will be able to teach through units instead of hitting a million different topics a week…lol. My question for those who have a reading series you don’t necessarily love…How do you make things more creative? How do you spice up the basal and make instruction more meaningful? Keep in mind that I don’t have a library with tons of any leveled books I can pull in. I can’t apply for Donor’s Choose grants because I am at a Private School. And, I make 40% what a public school teacher does. Anything I get, I buy myself. So….my resources and funds are incredibly limited. Please help! I need some inspiration as I get started planning for the upcoming year! I will be getting an Activboard this year, so I am thrilled about the possibilities for making learning more meaningful. If y’all can offer any advice, please do so! J
I like Reading A-Z. It's not cheap, but a membership lets you download leveled readers on LOTS of topics, and even activities to go with them.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I do mostly use the basal's stories... but I just do more exciting activities with them!
Good luck figuring it all out! I'm a new teacher and it is definitely tough on a budget, but hopefully those can help!
Jenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad
I've built a large classroom library from books I purchased from yard sales, Goodwill, and bonus points from Scholastic. Don't forget about your public library. Sometimes they are willing to let you check out lots of books for longer periods of time if you are a teacher. There are lots of resources on line as well.
ReplyDeleteConnie:)
www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com
I supplement with chapter book studies for my higher kiddos and utilizing things that I've found online. I use Treasures, and there are lots of teachers that have worked really hard to come up with some great items for the series. Most basals have well known series and you can usually find some great activities to accompany the story online that are little bit more lively! :) Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Stories From Second
When I was first building my classroom library I wrote in my newsletter how donations of gently used books would be welcomed, I got many excellent books. Also, I teach in a school where students often get gifts for teachers. When students have asked what I like I always tell them that donating a book to the classroom library would be an awesome gift. I then used labels to write in the student's name as the donor. Kids loved it.
ReplyDeleteI went to lots of library sales and Scholastic Books warehouse sales to create my collection of books. I loop first/second so I have to have a lot of different books to keep it fresh and new each year!
ReplyDeleteDoes your local library have book club sets? Our library puts 6 books in a book club set for kids to check out...might be a possibility.
I also use Pinterest and Google search to find a bit more substance for our basal.
Reading A-Z is a great website to print your own books. They aren't very sturdy but there is a variety of genres.
I have 10,000+ books in my classroom library (and they're even insured thanks to some add-on with my homeowners insurance!) I started building my library in college and have never stopped. I get alot of books at the Scholastic sale, with book orders, and at the Goodwill. But my favorite place to get books is YARD SALES! As for our basal, I haven't touched it in three years. I use children's lit entirely to teach reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower! I hope you'll check out my new "manly" blog about teaching and share with your friends!
Greg
Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten
I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteAshlee
http://justreed-ashley.blogspot.com/
Reading A-Z is a great (and fairly affordable) online source. The kids can play reading games and you can PRINT fantastic leveled readers! We are both hooked up with Christina's giveaway . . . how I've missed you, I don't know :)
ReplyDeleteKelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
No advice for how to teach reading in a better way, but Hubbard's Cupboard had some EASY readers to print that are totally free. I printed mine out onto regular paper and laminated them for durability.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I just found your blog through Mrs. Bainbridge's site and I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteI have an ActivBoard and LOVE it!!! This will help you tremendously. I don't like any basal series.... some of the stories are so dull and the reading levels are always wacko. I will never understand why they gave me a 4th grade level text to teach my 2nd graders the 1st week last year. Nutso! Anyways... I kind of break the rules. I don't teach the stories the way the basal says to. I use the story and teach it my way :) I use the reading strategies recommended and find fun ways online to tie them in :) Good luck!
Katie
Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans
Cute blog, Ashley! I'm your newest follower! I don't use the basal, but if you're wanting to pull in other books and just don't have them in your classroom library you could always recruit a parents "librarian" to be in charge of requesting them from the public library. In our city you can request them to be sent to one branch to pick up and then your parent librarian can get them to deliver to your classroom. I did that until my library was built up.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Teaching Maddeness
Come check out my 100 Follower Giveaway!
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteReading A-Z is free for the first 30 days, so start your 30 days when you have access to a printer and print all the books before your 30 days are up. Just a way to get them for free.