It's Monday, What are you Reading?

It is Monday and again I am joining in the meme over at Mentor Texts.

Hop on over and join in over at the Mentor Text Blog. Just click on the picture 
                                                 
It's awhile since I took part in this, reading dwindled to a stop as the final term of the year encroached and writing reports and end of year functions took precedence.

This was my read aloud to the class book for this final term.  We had read Because of Mr Terupt in 2011 and were looking forward to this one.  I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment for me, it seemed to lack a main focus. However the students enjoyed it and I see one of them has given it four stars on Goodreads to my three stars.

Newbery winner for 2012 is where I became becalmed in my reading, so over the weekend I finished it.  As it is semi autobiographical, it read a little like a memoir. I enjoyed the humour and especially enjoyed the Grim Reaper visit to Mrs Dubicki's place. Also liked the relationship of Jack and  Miss Volker.  A possible read aloud for 2013. Will have to see what else I read over the summer holidays.






What to read next?  My bookworm students have some words of recommendation to me:
Monique says -

The most amazing book I’ve read is Gone. That’s the title by the way.  It took me awhile to read, as it is quite thick.  But it was DEFINITELY worth the time! The book is by Michael Grant, of whom I look up to greatly as an author. The book is the first of a series of five, these are the names of all the books, Gone, hunger, Lies, (I’m reading that one right now)  Plague and Fear.

I will not explain Gone, it’s too complex. Hence the reason for you to read it, otherwise you will never know.

Jordan says -
Another book I really enjoyed was one of my own books that I got given for my birthday. The second book in the cherub series, Class A.
This book is one of those ones when all you want to do is sit down and finish it off.  I would recommend finishing the first book in the series before you read this one.

Simone says -
Guitar Highway Rose by Brigid Lowry, a New Zealand author. She has a really unique and quirky way of writing that’s really interesting and I really enjoyed this book. Back in January this year I also read another book by her called Lots Of Love From Georgia. It is a really good book and I recommend you read some books by her. She wrote another book called Juicy Writing that you read out to the class last year for some writing study. There is some really good tips in there for writing and I really like all of the books by her that I’ve read, but Guitar Highway Rose was by far the best one yet :D

The Rosie Black Chronicles - Book one AND two. The first book, Genesis, was recommended to me by Carol, (librarian) and I really really enjoyed it, so much that I read the sequel, Equinox, which was equally as great. In November, the third book in the series came out, it’s called Dark Star, and I hope to get it for Christmas. But since it took ages to come out, I might need to reread the first two books so I get the hang of what’s happening because I forgot some stuff that may be required to be in your head for Dark Star. Other than that, a really great series :)

Teegan says -
My favourite books from this year were Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, The Scorpio Races by Jo Knowles, Divergent By Veronica Roth ( I didn’t like Insurgent that much) Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari and Eve by Anna Carey. All these books except for Little brother are dystopian so I have come to the conclusion that this is my favourite genre. 

Me:
I have been given these recommendations and I will certainly follow up with Little Brother and Eve as Teegan suggests at some stage. In fact hoping to read all the suggestions!

For this week I am going to read:

Leviathan by Scott Westerfield, a favourite of Moniques.  She drew a calendar picture that is going to hang in the classroom for 2013, so I need to read the book so that I can interpret the picture!  She assures me it is good.

Playground Entertainment.

As the end of the school year approaches people and things can start to fray at the edges.  Most teachers would know about this.  Today was one of those days, fortunately for me I enjoyed today's unravelling, although I must say its not always the case!  I must have got up on the right side of the bed this morning.

It began when I noticed two clusters of students in my class gathered around an ipod touch.  The first group I noted but didn't follow up on, a few minutes later, passing the second group warning bells went off in the corners of my mind.  I went over and gathered the ipod into my hand. Hmm, not what I was hoping to see.  An app that was meant for putting in appropriate words to make a story, had very inappropriate words placed in the story - a good number of known sexual words that are within the range of a Year 7 boy it turns out.  Far from subtle inquiries identified the culprit who was reminded of his ICT signed contract from the beginning of the year, and then banned from using all computers, and digital devices for the remainder of the term.  He accepted it all, said he had done it because he wanted to appear 'cool'.  The ban will hurt as we do a lot of work with computers and are completing work on Gamestar Mechanic at the moment. End of story!

I then proceeded to my duty in the playground.  We have an half hour break, the first teacher does 15 minutes duty and then has their lunch.  I was on first duty.  The 15 minutes were not boring.  I note one of my class endeavouring to climb in the class window.  He is being his best affronted self.  He shouts at me that he is having a dreadful day.  As I have seen how happy he has been most of the day I tell him so. He amends it to a dreadful afternoon!  "Mates" inform me he has kicked someone - a five year old.  My 11 year old says 5 year old spat at him and used the "f" word.  I eye him and say that is no excuse you are 5 or 6 years older than him. I ordered him to come with me.  He walked a little way and then said,  "I am not moving any further".  Hmm okay!  I give him my best steely look and say. "Come with me".  "Fine" he says in his best 2 year old voice.  We arrive inside and I direct him to sit him in the time out space.  "No" is the reply. Same steely eye and firm voice, and 11 yr old going on two, settles ungraciously into time out space!  I need to then walk through staff room to explain the sobbing outside and request "no sympathy" for the 'victim.'

I then think I better have a word with said 5 year old.  I crouch down to his level and explain we don't use the "f" word at our school.  He says he can't stop saying it.  I commiserate but explain I think he can stop using it, after awhile he agrees!!

I start to circle the playground.  A boy rushes past me, saying J..... said she would show me her........
(He is telling on her).  I think to myself as far as I know that is a reference to a boy part, but well... I'm not sure and think I must check that one out later in the staffroom.  (Chuckles in said room when I tell the story, confirm for me I'm right).  However I let it all go because....

Just nearby a door from a toilet is being kicked from the inside, and the roar of the caretaker is coming from another cubicle. I stop and demand that the 'kicker' come out.  He does so saying the boy who is lounging nearby made him do it.  I have no doubt said boy is involved but with my steely eye I explain we are all responsible for our own actions.

Three paces further along, a woeful group of girls gather around a wounded one. Two slightly skinned knees, one bleeding.  I take her to the first aid room and patch her up, donning glove first because I know I will be in trouble with our chief first aider if I am caught mopping up without one on.  The young 5 or 6 year old girl explains they have been playing a silly game of vampires and she tripped getting away.  I refrain from making a comment about blood and vampires and having patched her up, return to patrol.

I think I had better take a turn through the junior classrooms as there are still some slow eaters in there.  I am met by six year old girl who tells me a story about some one going to tell on her because....don't ask me I didn't really follow the story!  I just said, "You know in the order of things that is rather minor." The wind goes out of her sails, she smiles and says. "I know".  However another worried look crosses her face and she says,  "But she is going to tell the Principal."  I reply, "You can take it from me, the Principal is very busy and very tired today, she has no chance of getting heard by him, I know that for a fact."  (I've had to battle my way in to arrange end of the year things and rearrange things to fit in with his timetable, so I just KNOW she has no chance).  She is totally reassured and I go on my way.

Well that was 15 minutes of my day, very entertaining.  Roll on the holidays!

Gaming in my Classroom

This term I set out to experiment and do something that is quite different for me.  I decided to introduce some gaming time into my classroom time.  I was unsure whether it would be of value or whether it had a place in the classroom.  However I wanted to try it out.

I had heard of Gamestar Mechanic from Kevin Hodgson, a teacher in the USA, who has implemented it in his classroom, I had read his blog and it enticed me into exploring Gamestar.  During my sabbatical term I started out on the first quest and began to find out what it was all about.  One thing I like about Gamestar Mechanic is that there is no need to download anything onto a server.  We started off as a free classroom, but once students completed the first Quest, I upgraded them at a cost of $2 (US), per student.

Kevin had used it as a part of digital storytelling in his classroom and this is what I wanted to do too. However I am not quite as adept at game playing as he is, so I relied heavily on what he did.  Still unsure about it, I asked him to skype our classroom and tell us about the storyboarding part of it.  This he did and you can read about his visit here and access the links he has to what happened in his room.

After he had spoken to us I again explored those links, looked at the storyboarding and finally felt I was ready for my class to start this part of the unit.  His skype call gave me the confidence to keep on moving into the completion of the unit.

Today I asked my class what they thought was the learning involved in a site such as Gamestar. This is what they shared:

• During the Quest we were learning about game design, the components, the mechanics, the rules, the points, and how a game has to be balanced.
• We were unlocking components that we would be able to use when designing our own games.
• While doing the quest we had to develop strategies, it involved thinking and problem solving.
• We needed to be patient, we needed to persevere.
• We experienced challenge and eventual success.
• We were reading and following instructions.
• Hand/eye coordination has to be good.  (I am not very good at that part!!)
• We are called on to be creative, as we have to create our own games.
• We are writing - a storyboard, comments on others games - giving them feedback.
• There is lots of helping going on, we are communicating and cooperating.

At the moment my students are putting their storyboards together, some of them are ready to start building their games.  I am hoping we will manage to complete them before the holidays swoop down on us.  It is actually a great unit to be doing at this time of year, when often energy flags.  The students  and myself are finding this highly engaging.  Often in the morning I am seeking their help with my failed efforts of the night before! Great for their self esteem. Actually one of my students who struggles with many aspects of learning was delighted to tutor me this morning!  I think he may know some of the despair teachers experience when they tutor those who 'just don't get it' very quickly!

I am coming to the opinion that this does have a valid place in the classroom. It has linked nicely into what we have already done this year. It is also another social media site really, where the students can interact and comment.  Next year I will most likely include it and see where we can go on from here.

Savouring the Small Moments.

I often wish that over my years of teaching I had kept track of some of the comments and happenings in my classroom. Those moments that warm my heart. Perhaps if there had been blogging back then, I may have!

This week: 
Tuesday: As I am sitting at my computer marking the roll before I go to lunch, the last student out says, "Thanks for the  gaming Miss T".  ( We have just started the Quest in Gamestar Mechanic.)
Still focused on the roll I reply, "You enjoyed that?"
"I didn't just enjoy it, I LOVED it!"

Wednesday: At the end of the day we are reading the 12 Tasks of Hercules. We have a bit of a conversation about Greek and Roman gods.  Unknowingly I offend one of the Year 8 boys with my opinion about them. ( I only have limited knowledge of them based on Rick Riordan's books!). Fortunately his mother clues me in on how he is feeling. I realise I brushed over his opinion.  I understand he hasn't felt heard, so the next day, while seemingly having a reading conference with him, I apologise for not listening to him properly, explain that my knowledge of the gods is limited, and after some deep discussion we are on the best of terms again.

Thursday: After morning tea, we are again on Gamestar Mechanic and completing the next mission. I am watching the whiteboard, where one of the student's games is showing as he plays it. His Year 8 partner stands beside me viewing it as well.
"What if we don't get this finished today?" he enquires.
"It can be finished for homework." I reply.
"Hmm, not bad, gaming for homework!" he says in his understated droll way, a slight gleam in his eye.

Friday:  Friday has a few large chunks taken out of it each week with other curriculum areas so we have shorter time for Literacy and Maths.  This Friday I took the Literacy time to administer a STAR reading test. After morning tea, someone is demanding in the background, "When is Literacy today?" The look of disdain and disappointment on her face when she learns we've had it for today, warms my literacy loving  heart!

As we leave for the day, I remind students that Monday is Labour Day, that we have a long weekend, so don't come to school. "What's Labour Day?" someone asks. The bell has gone so my answer is short! "Labour means work, we've worked hard all year, Monday is the day to appreciate it and rest!" (Probably not accurate but....)
"Oh, says a Year 8 girl, I thought labour was the birth of a baby!"
"Well when a baby is born, the mother does a lot of hard work, so I guess that is why it is called 'labour'." I reply.
"Oh, I never knew that," she says, and others nod their head.

And so the week ends.  A week to savour!

Is Daily Five for Ten to Thirteen Year Olds?

A question that I hear sometimes asked is: "Does Daily Five work with older students, for example in New Zealand at the intermediate level - Year 7 and
 8?  Eleven to thirteen year olds.

In my opinion Daily Five is highly suited to working with this age. I have only been using it now since mid 2011, and I would never go back to any other way of organising my literacy.

• It gives students choice and they love that.
• It encourages them to be independent and take some responsibility for their learning.
• Students spend time reading and writing, rather than prepared sheets etc by the teacher.
• The teacher is able to conference one on one with students or..
• Work with a group with no interference
• The engagement of students is mostly 100% all of the time. 
• It enables flexible grouping.

So if you wanted to implement it in your class where might you begin?

• Obtain and read the book The Daily Five by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser.  This step is essential.  Read it and assimilate it.  The process of setting it up is important, expect about your first month to be given over to this.  Do this part well and you are set up for a great year.

• Obtain and read their book The Cafe Book, Engaging all Students In Daily Literacy Assessment and Instruction.  Daily Five is really only the organisational structure, Cafe relates to the literacy teaching - they complement each other.

• Although not a daily five book I would also highly recommend The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller, to teachers of older students. This will really fire up your own enthusiasm for children's literature and enhance your Daily Five literacy.

• Prepare and begin. Don't be overwhelmed, it may seem difficult but it really is okay once you get going.

In the beginning I taught all five aspects of Daily Five - Reading to Self, Reading to Others, Listening, Writing and Working with Words. As 2011 passed I realised that actually for older students not all five are needed. So for 2012 I have Read to Self, Writing and Working with Words.  However this does not cut out the option of listening; some students might opt in their read to self time - to listen.  As we generally have students at different levels of reading - read to others might be appropriate too as a choice.  The great thing is Daily Five is flexible.

On a good day I do three rounds and it goes like this:

• A ten minute teaching time with the whole class - in the beginning this is about process and practice of the structure of Daily Five. Later this will become input around Reading or Writing or Vocabulary.
• A breakout, where students make a choice of what they are going to do - caution this comes after you have established Reading, Writing and Words work individually.
• During the breakout time I meet individuals and conference reading around reading and writing - or take a group for a short while.
• Another ten minute gathering time - more input from the teacher.
• Another breakout
• Another ten minute input time.
• Another breakout
• Share time.

With older students breakout time is usually 25 - 30  minutes for me.  It just depends on the day.

Now not every day is a good day! (I define a good day as heaps of time for literacy!) Sometimes we only have one round or two rounds on other days.  I warn students at the beginning: today we have .... rounds. Then they can make their choice accordingly.

The two sisters Daily Five website is another place to visit.  I have a subscription to it because I find all the answers to my questions there!  I started out with a three month sub to see if it would be useful to me first. It was! Excellent video that models so many aspects.  If you don't subscribe at least sign up for the newsletter as it is great value.

Follow or/and join in with the Daily Five chat on Twitter. It goes under the hash #d5chat.  In New Zealand the chat time is on the 1st and 3rd Saturday at 1pm.  That is Friday evening in the States.

If you have a question, as you decide whether it is for you - don't hesitate to ask.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It is Monday and again I am joining in the meme over at Mentor Texts.

Hop on over and join in over at the Mentor Text Blog. Just click on the picture 
                                                 

This past week I have been reading The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan.  It was the usual enjoyable roller coaster of:  into one challenge, out of it and into the next. I especially enjoyed the humour, and often found myself chuckling out loud.  As these characters age, a little more romance has been introduced! Of course in true style it ends with a cliff hanger.  I found I had to keep my wits about me as I read as there is so much to remember about relationships and gods....  One of my students is well prepared for this book, he has read the previous one a couple of times, so I am sure he is enjoying this one at the moment. In the meantime I have this one finished  and ready to go into the hands of another boy, who asked could he have it as soon as I had finished.  The boys in my class are the ones who enticed me into reading these books, now I am in the process of trying to get more girls hooked. I can't see why they wouldn't be.

My read for the coming week is Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos, this year's Newbery winner. I haven't read anything by him before so I am looking forward to it.

It's Monday - What are you Reading?

It is Monday and again I am joining in the meme over at Mentor Texts.

Hop on over and join in over at the Mentor Text Blog. Just click on the picture 
                                                 
Since I joined in with the meme last I have read:

The sequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. This book was good but I wasn't as caught up in it as Roll of Thunder. I notice some of my students now reading Roll of Thunder, so maybe they will give this a go, possibly!

The Scorpio Races - I am sure lots of readers have loved this. The writing is very good and the story is as well. It just didn't appeal so much to me because of the violence.  However now having taken part in #titletalk chat just now, I think I will book talk it and see what happens in my class.  My class know I don't like gore in books - however they probably handle it better!









I am not sure what I am going to read in the coming week, I am hoping Rick Riordan's latest will be in our NZ shops tomorrow but not sure. If it is I will be reading The Mark of Athena. One of my students wants it after me - we are on spring break here, so I should have it read by time we go back to school.