I'm so excited to be teaming up with some of the best teacher bloggers out there to bring you this brand new monthly linky, Books Bloggers Love. Check out all these amazing bloggers who are contributing!
Instead of choosing one of my go-to picture books I use during the first week of school, I decided to share something I'm going to try next year.
In years past, I've had the tradition of reading one chapter of an age appropriate chapter book to my Kinders at the end of the day. Ok, confession- it's always been Junie B. Jones, since I have so many of those. But this past year I read the first Magic Tree House book to my class (it was the first time I'd ever read one too). I know, I know, "Where have you been?!" you say.
They absolutely LOVED it! When I thought back to the reactions from my classes when reading Junie B. and compared them to those when reading Magic Tree House, I realized I had the attention of a higher percentage of my class (boys AND girls) for a higher percentage of time.
This year my goal is to read one Magic Tree House book per week, two chapters a day. I want to really maximize the learning my students get out of this so I created my first (of what I hope to be many) Magic Tree House unit.
One of the most important things we as teachers do is reflect on and analyze student data, then make a plan on how to improve said data. One of my students' weakness last year was comprehension--they knew a ton of sight words and were great at decoding but couldn't retell a story to save my life. I'm hoping this new, yet quick, activity will help this coming year's class start strengthening their comprehension skills- right from the first week.
In my unit, there are comprehension questions for each chapter, two chapters at a time, since they are pretty short and easy reads. I've also included a visualization activity for every two chapters as well, as that is another skill I want to focus on more next year.
Click HERE for a free sample of my unit (the sample is in the preview download in my TpT store). It covers the first two chapters of the first Magic Tree House book, Dinosaurs Before Dark. I'll have my unit on sale until Friday!
Now the best part! You can WIN a copy of Dinosaurs Before Dark, as well as a copy of the books Stephanie from Mrs. D's Corner, Ashley from Teach Create Motivate and Amber from Peppy Zesty Teacherista have blogged about! All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below!
Now go read all about the other books my friends have blogged about! Good luck and make sure to come back next month!
Well, you know that I absolutely love dinosaurs, so I am already sold on this book! But I really like the idea of reading a chapter book a week! I thought about it last year, but wasn't sure if it would be relevant to my friends... but now I want to try it this year!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea! I read books from The Magic Tree House series to my first graders last year and they loved them. I think you are right, that the content appeals to both boys and girls. I think your product is excellent and can be used both in whole group and in small group, as you mentioned. I might also consider giving it to my higher readers so they can read and work independently, but I can still check their comprehension. I can't wait to see more of these!
ReplyDeleteI love Magic Tree House Books. I love using them for kids who are new to the country because they fill they are getting a chapter book experience!! On to my wish it goes!!! :)
ReplyDeleteCourtney
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