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Monday, May 27, 2013

Next School Year...

So I have officially survived my first year of teaching!! And I didn't jump out of a window or drive off the Grand Canyon! 

Woooo!!!

But is it sad that I am already thinking about next year?? I can't help it. I mean, this year went really well overall, but there are some things I definitely want to change for next year. Lucky for me, Kim at Finding Joy in 6th Grade is having the perfect linky party - What Will You Do Differently?

I was definitely too sweet with my kids at the beginning of the year. Luckily, I had an amazing class so it wasn't too detrimental, but I might not be as lucky next time. So I need to toughen up right away and let them know that there are consequences to sad choices.

I still can't get over how much paper accumulates over the course of a day. So. Much. Paper. All. The. Time. Before school ended, I tried to get my filing cabinet somewhat organized and I have gotten a ton of plastic paper trays to help combat the paper monster. I also need to recycle things that I don't need right away too instead of stacking it up somewhere in case I "might" need it later.

Fluency is a big deal in Arizona. In fact, a new law was recently passed that if a 3rd grade student is falling far below for fluency/RCBM, that student will automatically be retained. Just like that. Parents and teachers have no control over it. So it's really important that my students make their fluency goals so they have an easier time reaching fluency goals in the later grades. Fluency at my school is a struggle for kids. Only 8 of my 21 students achieved their fluency goals and I had the most growth in first grade!! Not too hot at all.
So right away, fluency is going to be a huge focus of mine. I've got some ideas mulling in my head so hopefully it will help out my kiddos!

I was a lot better with math journals in the beginning of the year, but as the year continued on, we did them less and less until never using them. Next year, I want to do them (ideally) daily, but at least a few times per week. I've got some great resources from TPT that I am planning on putting to use.


What will you do differently next year?!

9 comments:

  1. Wow! That is crazy for fluency. I hope they are taking prosody into consideration. Sometimes students read too fast to "beat the clock" and have no clue what they read. Good luck with your goals for next year!
    Andrea
    Reading Toward the Stars

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    1. Do you have any tips or advice? Since you are a reading specialist?? My kids obviously need all the help they can get!
      Liz

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  2. Congratulations on finishing your first year! I'm a Phoenix teacher too, so I know how crazy it can be...I'm in Middle School though so I do not envy the reading fluency problems you have to face.

    teachunscripted.blogspot.com

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  3. Congrats on getting through your 1st year. It's definitely the most difficult year.

    Thanks for stopping by. I'm your newest follower!


    Just Wild About Teaching

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  4. I would recommend any of the books by Tim Rasinski for fluency. I did my master's thesis on fluency and he was the ultimate resource. You can also visit www.gigglepoetry.com for some great silly poems to improve fluency that the kids really love. Good luck!

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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    1. Thanks Jennifer! I am going to check those our right now!
      Liz

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  5. Congrats on surviving your first year! I also teach first grade and LOVE it!
    Fluency is very important, but retaining over it alone? Try one minute reads with some of your slowest reads. My kiddos also love performing Reader's Theatre scripts and LOVE LOVE the Poems for 2 people. Check out my post here.
    http://www.myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com/2012/05/you-read-to-me-ill-read-to-you-fluency.html
    :)
    Tamera
    P.S. If you tame the Paper Monster, please share!

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    1. I'm going to your blog right now! Thanks for sharing!
      Liz

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  6. Congratulations on finishing your first year. I'm going to check out the fluency ideas. I had a little guy who had a fluency in the teens in 1st grade in December...yikes. He improved considerably by the end of the year, but it was a struggle.
    Tammy
    Primary Paradise

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