Saturday, July 21, 2012

Read-to-Self Accountability and Reader's Response Notebooks

Last year was my first year using Daily 5 and boy, did I learn a lot. I think that my biggest struggle was making sure that my kids were understanding what they were reading, and not just look at the word and pictures the whole time. Especially in third grade when comprehension is such a HUGE part. So, this year I was doing some research and looking for different ways to ensure my students are accountable for the reading during read-to-self. This is especially important because I am starting CAFE next year and while some students are doing Read-to-Self, I will be doing guided reading groups and doing assessments.

I have decided to give my students a Reader's Response Notebook to help them stay accountable during Read-to-Self. 2nd Grade Shenanigan did a post about reader response and think clouds. I really like what she did here because she had different prompts with comprehension questions that focus on different skills such as author's purpose, visualize, making a connection, and summarize. I also liked how she also included a rubric so the students know what they are expected to do! Also, Amanda Nickerson's Cultivating Strategic Readers has amazing questions that are called "Chat and Go" questions. I used them last year with my reading intervention students. This year, I'm going to have my students respond to them in their Reader's Response Notebooks.

Reader's Response Notebooks:

The rubric so students know their expectations of the Reader's Response Notebooks:

Here are the think clouds for readers response:

My goal is to give the students a comprehension question that is connected to the skill that they are learning that week. Another lesson that I learned from last year is that I did not have enough emphasis in reading comprehension. We practiced a lot in reading fluency. But, not enough of reading comprehension and strategic thinking.

I'm hoping that by using a Reader's Response Notebook, think clouds, and chat and go questions; my students will benefit in understanding what they are reading more. It also keeps them more accountable for what they are reading during Read-to-Self while I am meeting with other students for conferences.

17 comments:

  1. I really like this idea! I made comprehension questions for when I work with my students during teacher/student conference reading time.

    I like how the children are accountable for their understanding!

    I too had trouble with the comprehension piece, partly because I was a first grade teacher and I was worried about getting them to learn how to read. But now since I will be moving on to third it's about learning to understand what they read!

    Thanks for the great post!

    Judy

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  2. Exactly! That's why I'm also introducing CAFE which is ALL about reading comprehension. The best part about Daily 5 is that when some of your students are doing Read-to-Self, you can do conferences for other students. With using a reader's response notebook and a rubric, students will be accountable for what they are reading.

    You should really look into Daily 5 and CAFE.

    Jessie

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  3. Oh, I have! I started it last year and I love it. It's made my life so much easier. Now I just have to adapt it to bilingual learners.

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  4. Have you looked into GLAD strategies? I was going to do a post about GLAD cognitive dictionary charts. It's really good for English learners.

    Jessie

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  5. Hi Jessie,
    I’m your newest follower! I am also a Newbie Blogger, so I appreciate all of the sharing of advice and ideas. I love Daily 5, but I haven't tried it with first grade yet. *fingers crossed*
    Corinna
    Teaching Fabulous Firsties!

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    1. Thank you! I'm still trying to figure things out for blogging :) Daily 5 is great! I'm starting CAFE next year too. I know a teacher that did Daily 5/CAFE in first grade and was very successful :)

      Jessie

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  6. I missed Hope's post on those reader response journals and think clouds. So glad that you highlighted this awesome idea. I can't wait to hear how it works out in your room. I am going to try and work it into my room this year . . . YIKES . . . I teach first :)

    Kelley Dolling
    Teacher Idea Factory

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    1. I think it is such a good idea. It really helps my students with comprehension and keeping them accountable when I am doing conferences and guided reading groups. I think it will work well in first grade. The questions just have to be a little different :) I'm connecting my questions for the reader response journals with the comprehension focus skill of the week. Let me know how it works in your class :)

      Jessie

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  7. I am so overwhelmed with awesome ideas...I feel like I might be wanting to try TOO many new things at once! I love this though. Love love love this.

    I'm your newest follower!

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    1. I know how you feel. I was going through the same thing last year. But, I feel like using a readers response journal is the best way to ensure my students are understanding what they are reading. I will probably have them respond to a question at least everyday or every other day.

      I'll be posting more as the school year goes on :)

      Jessie

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  8. I'm your newest follower. I love your blog. You have some great ideas!

    Jenny
    Teaching Third

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  9. I love the think clouds and have used a Reader Response journal with my kiddos. I found your blog earlier this summer and love it! I followed you right away. I'll try and do a better job of hopping over more often. If you get the chance, I would love for you to hop over and visit me. I shared 2 poems that I would love for you to read. =)


    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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    1. How did the Reader Response notebooks work with your students? I'm going to have them respond to questions that are tied to the comprehension CAFE skill and curriculum skill that week. Thanks for being a dedicated follower :) I'll stop by your blog!

      Jessie

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  10. The think clouds that you posted are super cute and a great idea! I just found you through the Newbie Blog Hop! I am your newest follower! Come visit soon...

    Julie
    http://msshopesclass.blogspot.com/

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  11. Hey there! I'm so happy to see these thing clouds! I saw them a while back and loved them but was way too busy to create them. Maybe I'll get a chance now. Have you used them yet? If you find time, I'd love if you came and checked out my blog!

    Kristin
    Teaching In A Nutshell

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  12. I am so glad that your kiddos enjoyed the Chat & Go activities! :)

    Amanda

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