TBT: Secret Snowflake Freebie & Guided Reading Growth!

Happy Throwback Thursday!

It's almost here! We will say goodbye to the students tomorrow (Friday) for 16 days! Teachers get out a bit early Friday (no meetings, so hopefully by 3:30!) and then we return January 2-3 for Professional Development. The students will return Monday January 6. What is your schedule for break?

Today my Power Hour group will say (and write) goodbye to Justin. With snow days and general craziness, we didn't get to spend that much time with him, but he brought so much joy to our reading intervention group! I'm already thinking ahead for next year.

We will also be wrapping up testing for end-of unit assessments, exit tickets, and F&P. Our Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment window is open until January 17, but I was able to read with a few firsties this week to measure their growth. This is the lowest group of incoming first-graders I've seen, 

but we're getting there!

This is what we have so far...

 The * indicates a student with IEP goals/objectives related to early literacy. I hope to catch a few more today so I can have a clear picture of what I'm going to do (what AM I going to do?) while I plan for January. I have to admit, I was a little surprised and bummed out by the B to C growth. This is a student that has been working with Leveled Literacy, receiving grade-level phonics, and participating in my reading intervention group. She barely made it to "instructional level" with "Socks" (C book). I've got to figure this out ASAP...any ideas are welcome :)

For Throwback Thursday, I'm revisiting this week in 2012. 

Looks like I was testing that week, too!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2012

Guided Reading: Celebrating Growth!

Happy Almost Friday!

Although this has been the s-l-o-w-e-s-t "teaching" (testing) week of 2012, I still didn't find a spare minute to post. This will be short & sweet as I'm ready to fall asleep! Tomorrow is a half day & then our sweet students will be staying home until Jan 3rd (staff returns on Jan 2nd for Professional Development).

I attended the Special Needs conference last weekend & it was SPECTACULAR! 145 outstanding educators sharing laughs & knowledge. I can't wait to post about everything I learned!

We wrapped up the Fountas & Pinnel Benchmark Assessment this week & I'm SO pleased with my little group's progress:

Font by Kevin & Amanda

I feel very proud of ALL of them and already reflecting on what I can do better next time. On Jan 2nd, we will reanalyze all the data collected and reconfigure the literacy groups. Since there are students with IEPs that I will continue working with, I'll be following their groups (& any other students who are at the same level). Most likely my group will consist of Level D and E :)

At the conference, I attended a session that discussed grouping by F & P levels for Guided Reading & then considering RIT bands (MAP-testing) to subdivide the groups for rotations. Brilliant! I'm definitely trying that when we come back from break!

Please visit my Guided Reading posts by selecting the label (on the right column of my blog) to read what we did to reach these results.  I will be back soon with updates!

Back to December 2013, this morning we reveal our Secret Snowflake at our morning meeting. My Snowflake has rocked! I've received delicious tea, veggie snack-packs, and some awesome magazines! So sweet....I can't wait for the reveal! Whether you're doing a Secret Snowflake at your school or not, these little notes may help us finish the week strong! 

Please click here to download your own set!

Have a wonderful day!!