centers · Expanding the Reach with Small Group Work Blog Series · foundational skills · high frequency words · letter formation · phonics · phonological awareness · small group

Favorite Ways to Teach Foundational Skills in the Primary Grades: Expanding the Reach with Small-Group Work Blog Series

This post covers the how, the why, and the what of introducing stations or centers to support small group work on foundational skills in the primary grades.

academic choice · centers · poetry · teaching tools · writing · writing center

Haiku Writing Station

Earlier this month I shared an idea about a writing station (aka: center) for older students.  Another product from Chronicle Books has crossed my desk and has piqued my interest as something that can be used in the classroom.  This time, it's a poetry-related writing station using Haikubes, which are 63 word cubes that can… Continue reading Haiku Writing Station

academic choice · centers · choice · reluctant writers · teaching tools · writers · writing · writing center · writing process

(Writing) Center Time for Older Students

Whenever I used to hear the words "Center Time" I immediately thought about early childhood classrooms.  However, that notion changed in 2008 when I created a Poetry Station for my fourth graders.  The Poetry Station was created for students to use during the "morning work" period of the school day.  It was a choice, not… Continue reading (Writing) Center Time for Older Students

academic choice · centers · diamante · george ella lyon · poetry · responsive classroom · word · writer's notebook

Poetry Station: READY FOR LIFT-OFF!

I think I'm going to have my students sign-up to use this for one week at a time since there are seven activities. Though it'll take two weeks to complete all of the activities in a meaningful way since they're pretty elaborate. Here are the titles of the activities I put inside of the station.… Continue reading Poetry Station: READY FOR LIFT-OFF!