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Organizing Literacy Centers

I work with 2 of my 3 reading groups daily. What do I do with my other students?

How do you organize your Literacy Centers? This post gives you ideas for organizing what the children do when you're teaching a group.


Many teachers use the Daily 5, and have some great ways to organize the 5 choices.

My district has some specific guidelines on how we spend our reading time, but we can be flexible within those guidelines.

Every child must have Independent Reading daily.  That's easy! Reading groups need to meet so many times per week, with the lowest group meeting daily.

I use little cards with magnets on the back. At the beginning of the year, I teach the children the meaning of each card, and introduce them one at a time. We start with Independent Reading, then move on to the others.

Some people call these Centers, or Learning Centers. I call them Stations. I don't know why!


I have a section of my whiteboard in the front of the room that's always about literacy stations. On some days, it might look like this:

How do you organize your Literacy Centers? This post gives you ideas for organizing what the children do when you're teaching a group.


The children know that the first row of cards tells where the children go for the first station. In my classroom, instead of "Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3", I have the children's individual names on magnets. I do change my groups often, depending on the needs of my students.  

I also have one child starred per group, per day. The starred child is in charge of handing out pillows for Independent Reading.  (I try to make this time as special as possible... who doesn't love curling up with a comfy pillow and a good book?)
In the above picture, for the first station, I'm working with Group 1, while Group 2 does word work, and Group 3 has Independent Reading. After a while, I switch the groups, and I'll have 2 groups at Independent Reading while I work with the third group.

Or it might look something like this.

How do you organize your Literacy Centers? This post gives you ideas for organizing what the children do when you're teaching a group.

In the next example, I work with Group 1, while Group 2 has Independent Reading. Group 3 has their reading time at the Library. Later, I work with Group 3, while Group 2 has Independent Reading and Group 2 works at assigned computer activities.

On a day where I have to work with individuals, it might look like this, where I only teach one reading group.

How do you organize your Literacy Centers? This post gives you ideas for organizing what the children do when you're teaching a group.

For the first station, I work with Group 2 while Group 1 has Partner Reading and Group 3 has Independent Reading.  Later, I have 2 groups at Independent Reading and Group 3 has a written reading assignment. This is the time I would pull individuals for reading or writing conferences.

Here's a Dollar Deal with some of the cards I use:
Literacy Center Cards for Centers

How do you organize your Literacy Centers? This post gives you ideas for organizing what the children do when you're teaching a group.



If you like this resource, you might enjoy this full set of Guided Reading Management

How do you organize your Literacy Centers? This post gives you ideas for organizing what the children do when you're teaching a group.
 

How do you organize your students for reading?

How do you organize your Literacy Centers? This post gives you ideas for organizing what the children do when you're teaching a group.

How Do I Squeeze in Mardi Gras?

I really like to find ways to celebrate all those special days, but it's not easy to squeeze everything in. 

How Do I Squeeze in Mardi Gras? There is so much going on, how do we find time to enjoy those "fun" holidays? Here are a few suggestions!

Mardi Gras is just about fun, and it's at a time of the year when the children really need something to lift their spirits, so I find a way to squeeze it in... by having the Mardi Gras theme overlap what I need to teach anyway!  Like Math!

Well, for one, I thought I'd squeeze a little Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day into math time with these math problems:
 


Explore this image for a link to this fun resource!


Here's another fun way to "squeeze in" Mardi Gras without losing time developing important skills: Mardi Gras No Prep Printables! These practice important skills, but have a Mardi Gras theme. These are great if you are going to be out for the day or are so busy you don't have time to plan! 



Explore this image for a link to this popular resource!

But first, I'll read them a book on Mardi Gras and let them make some masks on Monday. (That way, the math problems will make a whole lot more sense on Tuesday!)

Each title is an affiliate link to Amazon.





How do you manage to squeeze in the fun stuff this busy time of year?


How Do I Squeeze in Mardi Gras? There is so much going on, how do we find time to enjoy those "fun" holidays? Here are a few suggestions!


Myers-Briggs Part 3 : How Do You Process Information?

I hope you have been enjoying my series on the Myers-Briggs Personality Types as much as I have!  

If you haven't seen the other posts yet, you can read Part I: the Introduction HERE. You can read Part 2:  How do you find your energy HERE.

Myers-Briggs Part 3: How do you process information? This, the 3rd in a series, discusses the two ways in which people take in information. Some take in details, others are "whole picture" people.


A couple of very important points to remember about Myers-Briggs:
  1. Each preference is a scale. People tend to lean toward one side or the other, the place where they are naturally more comfortable. We do, however, have parts of both sides within us.  
  2. Both sides of each scale are essential in our society. No one preference is better than the other. Both sides keep each other in balance. Since I learned to recognize the qualities of each side of each scale, I have learned to cherish the differences in people, and appreciate those who don't have the same preferences as myself. 
Today I wanted to share one of the aspects of Myers-Briggs that's very important to teachers: How do we take in information?  

There are two ends to this scale.

Sensing Types (S) take information through their senses.
  • They are about the "here and now" and are concerned with facts.  
  • They are very aware of things in their immediate environment. 
  • They organize,  categorize, and focus on reality.  
  • These people are practical and all about the details.  
  • Sensing types prefer to learn in a sequenced, step by step progression. 
  • Interestingly, Sensing types make up about 75% of the population.
 

Intuitive Types (N) are about the future and possibilities.
  • They are imaginative, inventive, and idealistic. 
  • They see the big picture before the facts and details.
  • Intuitive types often jump from topic to topic.
  • About 25% of our learners are Intuitives.  
  • The Intuitive Types are the forest, and the Sensing Types are the trees. Sensing types would see the trees, but not the forest, Intuitive Types see the forest, but not the trees. 

I still remember an experiment we did in my master's program where we studied the different types. All the Sensing types sat on one side of the room, while the Intuitives sat on the other side. We were shown a poster and directed to write down what we see while we looked at the poster.

The poster had something to do with music.

 After some time, we shared what we had. We Sensing types proudly shared all the details about the poster we had scribbled.  We did most of the sharing for a while. Then one of the Intuitives spoke up about something we never noticed: the poster was in the shape of a grand piano. All the sensing types stopped and looked at each other: none of us had noticed that! We all had to see the poster again, and sure enough, it was in the shape of a grand piano. We were so focused on the details, we missed the big picture!  (Literally!)


Have you been thinking about your own type? How about your students?


Here are a few more books if you'd like to learn more!  The first one (People Types and Tiger Stripes) is one of the first books I've read on the Myers-Briggs personality types, and it's still one of my favorites.  This is the revised version.


Myers-Briggs Part 3: How do you process information? This, the 3rd in a series, discusses the two ways in which people take in information. Some take in details, others are "whole picture" people.Myers-Briggs Part 3: How do you process information? This, the 3rd in a series, discusses the two ways in which people take in information. Some take in details, others are "whole picture" people. Myers-Briggs Part 3: How do you process information? This, the 3rd in a series, discusses the two ways in which people take in information. Some take in details, others are "whole picture" people.             
Here are links to the other posts about the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator



 Myers-Briggs Part 3: How do you process information? This, the 3rd in a series, discusses the two ways in which people take in information. Some take in details, others are "whole picture" people.



Myers-Briggs Part 2: How Do You Find Your Energy?

Last week I posted about the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. (See THIS post.) 


Personality Types. This part focuses on how people find their energy -Introversion or Extraversion?

This week I want to tell more about the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. As I mentioned last time, there are four "scales". Today's scale asks how you find your energy.  

There are two ways people get their energy:  

1.  They get their energy from other people. (Extroversion)
2.  They get their energy by turning inward. (Introversion)

When I originally took the test, I really struggled over this one. I thought being an introvert meant I was anti-people. I thought it meant I was doomed to be alone, and I really questioned the accuracy of this scale. After all, I like people! I have a lot of great friends!

To some people, being an introvert can mean "terribly shy" or "prefers to be alone".  

For the Myers-Briggs scale, it doesn't mean that at all.  
  • Introverts prefer small groups of people to large groups.
  • Extroverts prefer large groups of people to small groups.
  • Introverts "recharge" by spending time alone.
  • Extroverts "recharge" by surrounding themselves with friends.
  • Introverts think, then act.
  • Extroverts act, then think.
  • Introverts are very reflective.  
  • Extroverts are very social.
  • Introverts feel drained after a social get together, even if they had fun.
  • Extroverts feel energized after a social get together.
  • When extroverts get together, they all talk at once.
  • When introverts get together, they take turns and speak one at a time
These last two comments remind me of the two staff rooms in my school, and the groups of people who have lunch in each room. Being an introvert, I go to the "quieter" staff room for lunch. It's a smaller group, and there is one conversation going on in the room. We all take turns and listen to each other. The other staff room has several conversations going on at once.They are clearly having a great time in there, but I can honestly say, the days I've gone in there, I was so drained I could barely go back to my classroom and face the afternoon with the kids! That's just not how I "regroup"!

I think what I've learned most about personality types is that our society needs all types. I've learned to value who I am and appreciate the other types. I've come to recognize the different types in other adults as well as the students I work with. Life would be boring if we were all the same! 


Some famous introverts:  Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, George Washington, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Julia Roberts, Audrey Hepburn, Johnny Carson, J.K.Rowling, Mozart, Steven Spielberg 

Some famous extroverts:  Oprah, Martin Luther King, Ben Franklin, Winston Churchill, Andrew Carnegie, Margaret Thatcher, John Kennedy, Bill Gates, Aristotle, Mark Twain, Anne Frank, Ronald Reagan

Great jobs for introverts: Accountant, Software Engineer, Market Research Analyst, Graphic Designer, Translator, Writer, Fine Arts, Designer, Chef, Scientist, Editor, Mechanic, Truck Driver, Lawyer, Teacher

Great jobs for extroverts: Emergency Medical Technician, Dental Hygienist, Physical Therapist, Public Relations Manager, Human Resource Specialist, Sports coach, Event planner, Corporate Fund Raiser, Hairdresser, Customer Service, Nurse, Financial Advisor, Teacher

Check out these book recommendations by exploring the images. (These are affiliate links,) Type Talk is the one I bought when I first learned about Myers Briggs Personality Types, and it has helped me understand people in all parts of my life.  


The second part of a series on the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. This part focuses on how people find their energy Introversion or Extroversion?     The second part of a series on the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. This part focuses on how people find their energy Introversion or Extroversion?     The second part of a series on the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. This part focuses on how people find their energy Introversion or Extroversion?
           

Here are links to all my posts on the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator:



Myers-Briggs Part 2: How Do You Find Your Energy - the second part of a series on the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. This part focuses on how people find their energy -Introversion or Extroversion?



Valentine Fun

 What is it about Valentine's Day that's so much fun for kids? 


Valentine Fun- continue learning and have some fun on Valentine's Day. Here are several ideas and resources for the primary classroom.


They're not involved in romance, so that couldn't be it! 
 
Valentine Fun- continue learning and have some fun on Valentine's Day. Here are several ideas and resources for the primary classroom.

We give them some class time to exchange some silly cards. Well, that's definitely fun. And there's all that candy... plus, it's something fun during the "longest" month of the year!


synonyms and antonyms
Yes, I know, February is really the shortest month of the year, and around here we have the last week off. But for those of us in New England who are totally sick of the winter cold by this point, February is the "longest" month of the year! Valentine's Day is a nice break from the mundane.


Well, as I was strolling through the Dollar Store yesterday, I saw packages of plastic heart containers. Immediately I started thinking about what I could do with them in the classroom. (Do "normal" people stroll through the Dollar Store and try to find stuff they can buy for their jobs?)

I found myself thinking of the activity I did last year with Easter Eggs, and I thought I'd adapt it to Valentine Hearts.


Valentine's Game

I made Valentine Synonym or Antonym Match Up.  I can't wait to show the kids!  I even found some shiny red bags to put the pieces in! 

Explore this image for a link to this fun word work activity!

Speaking of Valentine's Day, be sure to check out this fun resource: Valentine's Day Mini-Books!

Explore this image for a link to these fun mini-books!


There's a mini book with Valentine's Trivia, and a mini book for the children to list all the things they love!  Plus, it comes with directions on how to fold and cut the mini-books.
 
Here's my newest treasure! If you're a fan of Boom Learning like I am, you'll love this one: Valentine's Day Fun Facts Trivia

Explore this image for a link to this fun digital trivia activity.


Do you have a day off or a meeting coming? These activities are one way to continue keep the children engaged and learning, without making extra work for you! 

Explore this image for a link to this time saving resource!


I have one more activity to show you:  it's a math facts board game:  Have a Heart Math Facts Game! It practices basic addition and subtraction facts. The kiddos can play just addition, just subtraction, or combine both!

Explore this image for a link to this fun math facts game.

I can't blog about Valentine's Day without mentioning my very favorite Valentine's Day book: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch!  This book will warm your heart, without a doubt. It can actually be read any time of year, but it's a MUST-READ for Valentine's Week!

I love children's books!  I can't resist once I start looking at books, but here are several more with a Valentine's Day or a LOVE theme.  Be sure to click on each book for a link to Amazon to learn more about that book.  (For the Love of Autumn is another one of my all-time favorites - Patricia Polacco is an amazing author!) Each link is an Amazon affiliate.

Have a great Valentine's Day!  I hope your kiddos LOVE the day!

Valentine Fun- continue learning and have some fun on Valentine's Day. Here are several ideas and resources for the primary classroom.

Myers Briggs Personality Types

I got my master's degree in the late 80s in Creative Arts in Learning. It was a fabulous program with some incredible instructors, and fantastic content. We had classes in music, visual arts, acting, storytelling, and movement. We also had a great class called Arts in Society which helped us develop a deep understanding of what Art is and the importance of Art in our world. 
Myers-Briggs Personality Types: In the studies of Carl Jung, there are 16 different personality types. This series of blog posts helps you understand the 16 types.

We met one weekend a month for a couple of years. We were lucky to go through the whole program with the same group of teachers. It was a variety of educators, from classroom teachers, to art teachers, music teachers, and even a school nurse! We came from all over New England to a little seminar house in a small town in New Hampshire. When we were done, we not only had a masters degree, but we had a core of deeply trusted friends in education.

Although these courses were 25 years ago, they left a profound impact in my teaching as well as my personal life. I draw on these experiences daily in my teaching. 

 


Probably the most valuable thing I got out of this masters program was learning about the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. It was one of the first things we learned in the program, and it kept coming back through the whole 2 year process. It helped me understand myself, and it helped me understand my students. It helped me accept differences in people and realize that all different kinds of people are valuable and important in our society.

It's based on 4 different scales, or preferences. It is important to remember that these are just preferences. It's not an IQ test or aptitude test in any way. Just like you might prefer to write with your right hand, because it's more comfortable for you. If you had to, you could use your left hand, but it's just not as comfortable. Using your right hand (or your left) is your preference.

The first scale is about how a person interacts with their world. Some think of this scale as how a person gets their energy. These preferences are Introversion (I) and Extroversion (E.)

The next preference is how a person prefers to process information. These preferences are Sensing (S) and Intuition (N.) 

The third preference is about how a person makes decisions. These preferences are Thinking (T) and Feeling (F.)

The fourth preference is how a person organizes his life. These preferences are Judging (J) and Perceiving (P.)


Since each of the 4 scales has 2 preferences, there are a total of 16 possible personality types.

The word scale is appropriate here. Some people land all the way on the edge of a scale, and some people land close to the middle of a scale. My own scales have some extremes, and some scales where I land almost in the middle. (Almost like ambidextrous, with the dominant hand analogy.)

There are links to more information about the Myers-Briggs Personality Types all over the internet! Just google it, and you'll find plenty of information!

Here are links to the other posts in this series:



Myers-Briggs Personality Types: In the studies of Carl Jung, there are 16 different personality types. This series of blog posts helps you understand the 16 types.
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