Anchor Charts and Beanies

It's time to share what we've been learning...Comprehension Strategies with Beanie Babies!

My posters were purchased from Froggie Went a Teachin' on TPT.

At the beginning of the year I introduce each of the comprehension strategies and the corresponding Beanie Baby animals.  We create anchor charts for each strategy and practice using the skills.  The children make a mini book of strategies that they will keep with them throughout the year. 
Students are so excited to see which Beanie Baby animal and strategy will be introduced next.  They practically beg me to tell them. :)  And sadly, *tears* they are even disappointed once the last strategy/animal has been revealed.
The program that we use for reading intervention spirals back to each of the skills multiple times throughout the year.  We refer to the anchor charts, Beanie Babies, and mini-books often.  Here's a little look at a few of the anchor charts we made this year.

We use the "Click, Click, Clunk" method for self-monitoring.

                               

Students used the clues from the photographs and their schema to make an inference about what is happening in the photo.  This was a great way to introduce the concept and grasp before applying it to text.

I read a excerpt from Charlotte's Web describing the barn, and students drew what they were visualizing.

                             

I'll be back soon to share more about each strategy.  I'd love to hear some of your great ideas for introducing and teaching the reading strategies.  Leave a comment!

Classroom Tour

Welcome to "Camp Read S'more!"  I'm (finally) posting pictures of my camping themed classroom.  September flew by in a whirlwind.  We've completed our initial benchmark testing, and my intervention groups are up and running.  My fourth and fifth grade students have been reviewing comprehension strategies.  Soon the walls will display the anchor charts we've created.  Although the room still feels like a work in progress,  I decided to snap a few photos to share.

Camp Read S'more

Small Group Instruction Area
There is another similar small group area (not pictured) at the other end of the classroom for my instructional assistant.
Yes, two groups of students meet in this room simultaneously.  The room is large, so it works out perfectly!

"Read to Someone" Area

Classroom Library (book basket labels are coming soon)
Partners can read together in this area.

 "Read to Self" Tent

Computers for Read Live

Beanie Baby Comprehension Strategies

Cafe Board

Critters
I ordered these adorable woodland animal decals for the walls.
The animals pictured are my favorites, but a fox, a deer, and a raccoon were also included in the kit.  

Thanks for taking the classroom tour.  :)  I'll be posting pictures of the comprehension anchor charts we created soon.  Stop back to see them!