Reading Responses aka "The Green Folder" !

My school uses TC Reading Workshop and I found it can be really hard to see if kids are "doing the work". I've tried a few different ways to have students really share their thinking--without taking away a love of reading. It's can be a hard balance! Enter "The Green Folder". When I asked for 32 folders all we had in the supply closet was green and the kids dubbed it "The Green Folder". ( Despite my awesome teacher label of "Our Completed Books and Thoughtful Responses". =) Hey-I tried!)

A few tried to get away with writing "nothing" at the beginning but it was a great way to say, "Hey this kid needs a conference or a skill group on... connections!" (Some summary help and explaining the "choose your own" aspect of this book too.)

I have shared these with a lot of colleagues in 4th grade and we all found these folders to be an insightful way to make sure students were thinking each week and about each book. We also use post-its and they select their "best" post-its to include on the back. This becomes an easy conference tool but also a great way to track progress and  leave helpful tips for kiddos they can refer back to. It's not exactly how I want it, but it really worked out well. This year I'm planning to make these more genre specific. They aren't graphic fancy, but they get the job done! Do students LOVE The Green Folder? Not exactly, but they really grew this year and I could see their thinking get more sophisticated. Great tool for teachers, students and parents- they loved to see these too. They can see my feedback and see if their student is reaching to meet their new goals. Does anyone else use something like this?

Getting closer and closer to organized and ready for students! Finished my welcome sign, my 3 Rs (our school's PBIS buzzwords)  group points, and...a little teacher motivation! ;) 32 desks feels like a TON!

Inspired by Tara @ 4thgradefrolics

4th Grade Beginnings

Another new room and a new grade...

4th Grade...The Beginning!

I had been lucky to move into classrooms that were emptied out for me by former teachers. I didn't realize how lucky I was until I was reassigned to 4th grade and walked into my "new" classroom! 

There wasn't any space for my things!! Thankfully no one was using my old classroom...

This is still clearly the beginning -- it was a long (very slow) move-in process!! Of course this was because I wanted perfection before my kiddos moved in too! (Um...Like they know if the cabinets are organized!)