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Multiage Classroom Chatboard

1st time teaching lang/lit in a mulitage 5/6 - suggestions?

by mary

Jul 22, 2009

I have never taught language arts/literature before. I'm apprehensive about how to structure my 85 min block of time five days a week. I'm very 'left' brained and need routine to get through this. I'll listen to any advice.

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G. Johnsen Mary - I have a few ideas...hopefully you can use something from this...

First off, I'm a HUGE supporter of chunking time. I believe it helps you take advantage of student focus during the day. :) I split my time into three parts: an hour for "Protected Reading Time" (required by our district), 45 minutes for Language Arts, 15-20 minutes f...See MoreMary - I have a few ideas...hopefully you can use something from this...

First off, I'm a HUGE supporter of chunking time. I believe it helps you take advantage of student focus during the day. :) I split my time into three parts: an hour for "Protected Reading Time" (required by our district), 45 minutes for Language Arts, 15-20 minutes for a mini-lesson. I'm certain you could fit this into your time frame if needed. I do this structure EVERYDAY.

During protected reading time (9-10am), I rotate and meet with small groups (3 or 4 groups, up to 6-7 kids per group). While they are not meeting with me, they work on literature projects, language arts games/websites on the computer, partner read, or independent reading activities at their level (basically, I create rotating centers - start easy. This time is leveled and differentiated for them.

During the language arts block (mid-morning), they correct 2 sentences on the board (2 mistakes per sentence), then move on to their 1 vocab word for the day. As they're doing activities for their vocab word, I am walking around spotting their sentences and making correction marks. After we go over sentences and vocab together as a class (and they correct theirs), we do Measuring Up!. In Measuring Up!, you're focusing on one ELA standard per week (or thereabouts).

In the last 15-20 minutes (usually after lunch or afternoon recess), I teach them a quick mini-lesson. e.g. spelling patterns, idioms, synonyms, etc.

I find this to be very easy management-wise. Also, they know exactly what to do every day...without my immediate assistance! It's great. I also believe in keeping things simple - not too many different types of concepts or problems all at once. I like them to focus and get really good/comfortable with certain skills.

Hope you find this helpful!

On 7/22/09, mary wrote: > I have never taught language arts/literature before. I'm > apprehensive about how to structure my 85 min block of time > five days a week. I'm very 'left' brained and need routine > to get through this. I'll listen to any advice.

Jul 24, 2009

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Jan Zeiger Mary,

Have you looked into the Four Blocks approach?? I'll be using a modified version of this. :)

Jan

On 7/24/09, G. Johnsen wrote: > Mary - I have a few ideas...hopefully you can use something > from this... > > First off, I'm a HUGE supporter of chunking time. I believe > it helps you take advantage of ...See MoreMary,

Have you looked into the Four Blocks approach?? I'll be using a modified version of this. :)

Jan

On 7/24/09, G. Johnsen wrote: > Mary - I have a few ideas...hopefully you can use something > from this... > > First off, I'm a HUGE supporter of chunking time. I believe > it helps you take advantage of student focus during the > day. :) I split my time into three parts: an hour > for "Protected Reading Time" (required by our district), 45 > minutes for Language Arts, 15-20 minutes for a mini-lesson. > I'm certain you could fit this into your time frame if > needed. I do this structure EVERYDAY. > > During protected reading time (9-10am), I rotate and meet > with small groups (3 or 4 groups, up to 6-7 kids per group). > While they are not meeting with me, they work on literature > projects, language arts games/websites on the computer, > partner read, or independent reading activities at their > level (basically, I create rotating centers - start easy. > This time is leveled and differentiated for them. > > During the language arts block (mid-morning), they correct 2 > sentences on the board (2 mistakes per sentence), then move > on to their 1 vocab word for the day. As they're doing > activities for their vocab word, I am walking around spotting > their sentences and making correction marks. After we go over > sentences and vocab together as a class (and they correct > theirs), we do Measuring Up!. In Measuring Up!, you're > focusing on one ELA standard per week (or thereabouts). > > In the last 15-20 minutes (usually after lunch or afternoon > recess), I teach them a quick mini-lesson. e.g. spelling > patterns, idioms, synonyms, etc. > > I find this to be very easy management-wise. Also, they know > exactly what to do every day...without my immediate > assistance! It's great. I also believe in keeping things > simple - not too many different types of concepts or problems > all at once. I like them to focus and get really > good/comfortable with certain skills. > > Hope you find this helpful! > > > > On 7/22/09, mary wrote: >> I have never taught language arts/literature before. I'm >> apprehensive about how to structure my 85 min block of time >> five days a week. I'm very 'left' brained and need routine >> to get through this. I'll listen to any advice.

Aug 2, 2009

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Steve On 7/24/09, G. Johnsen wrote: > Mary - I have a few ideas...hopefully you can use something > from this... >

Here's a nice website that might help. Click the link below.

Steve superiored.com

Aug 2, 2009

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