April Journals

 

In April we switched from sentences and stories to lists. The kids did so well!  It was a fun way to learn more about them.  Through the lists, we discussed a lot about capitalization, such as in titles and proper names.  Every Friday, all year, is "Free Write Friday."  I was pleased to see my students choosing to write various lists on their free write days such as "Most Dangerous Animals," "My Friends," and "Things Ms. Hahs Loves." 🙂

Some of our topics included:

• Favorite Pets
• Favorite Ways to Relax
• Favorite Wild Animals
• Favorite Places I Have Been
• Favorite Desserts
• Favorite Breakfast Foods
• Favorite Characters
• My Wish List

Finish the Picture Writing Prompts

One of my kids' favorite independent writing prompts is from Mr. L's classroom on TpT. It's called "Finish the Picture" and is just like it sounds.  Each page has a couple shapes or lines that the students turn into something, then write about it.  My kindergartners get so excited about it and usually end up putting their completed work in their Leadership Notebooks. 

Click Here for the $4 packet

Word Count Reports for Motivation

I have been a kindergarten teacher for twenty years and Accelerated Reader (AR) has been part of my classroom the entire time.  I have tried everything: some things have been great, others have failed, and others were just too time consuming to implement well. I am aware AR has its haters, but when implemented right, it is an incredible program.

Using the AR word count is hands down my favorite motivator I have ever used.  There is something about it that resonates so much with my young readers.  

Basically, what I do is set a word count goal for the month.  Once a student reads that number, they put their name on a piece of construction paper that says something like "1000 word club." No prize.  Just their name on a piece of paper. And we cheer for each child as they write their name on the paper.  Each time a child tests on a book, they report it to me, and say "I got 80% and 234 words!"  It's also a sneaky way to get them reading three digit numbers. 

The results I get are so exciting.  In the month of April, my 25 students are on track to read 100,000 words.  I am watching their confidence soar.  One day recently in the morning, a student said to me, "I wish it was AR time already."  And that is everything. 

Mystery Readers

One of my favorite things to do to end the year is start Mystery Readers!  Long story short: family members sign up to read to the class and no one can know who it is, especially the child of the mystery reader.  In mid April, I send out a sign up sheet with one mystery reader per day.  If parents need flexible hours, I try and be very accomodating with their times.  It is a huge success and the kids absolutely love it!  Helpful hints:

• Send an email reminder the day before with directions/reminders. 
• If you have a window on the door, put a sign on the door reminding the mystery reader to knock and don't look in the window. (Some surprises have been spoiled by my little spies).
• Ask parents to sign up with the book title ahead of time.  Unfortunately, there are "controversial" books that could cause problems, or some parents sign up with books that are way too long for the time block (i.e Yertle the Turtle).
• Some of my colleagues encourage parents to do a craft or bring a treat that goes along with the book.  I don't do that, but they have success with it.
• Have the child introduce their mystery reader to the class and show the reader to his/her seat. At the end, the child can call on kids to share their favorite part, and of course the child and the Mystery Reader share their favorite parts.
• Take a photo and send it to the Mystery Reader.  I have seen many of my photos show up on parents' social media pages.  It is a special memory.

Happy Reading!!!