2nd grade Reading Response Journals

Hey Everyone!

Happy Hump Day!!

I have SO many fun things that I am currently working on! My "TPT in progress folder" has too many things going on at once!

SO I'm here to talk about Journals today. Now that I survived my first year in a new teaching position, new school, new district, new house, everything, etc. I decided to "up my game" this year when it comes to accommodating student handouts. My first HUGE task at hand has been making printables for my 2nd grade reading class response journals.

Skill: Locating words that tell about the setting of a story, and using evidence to support

After seeing an overwhelming amount of sadly overwhelmed second graders when it came to reading response journal time, I quickly picked up on the fact that some students were unable to figure out where to write the title and date, let alone draw a T-chart and follow the prompt (of course, some tried really hard and did really well. But I was not allowed to leave any child behind). I immediately began making handouts that they could fold and glue to their journals. They were differentiated so some students who were more independent could actually fill out both columns themselves. Then I realized... with the GA Milestones test coming up in the spring, we really need to work on supporting evidence and reasoning.

So then - the guided reading response journal idea was born. My co-teacher and I got together one afternoon and listed 7 different skills to work on for the remainder of the 9 weeks. We would practice them in my group so that once they learned it with me, they could do it independently during their day to read to self. We co-plan weekly, so at the end of this unit, we will brainstorm the next skillset. 

With my new motor running, I eagerly started them a couple of weeks ago, but it took me weeks to see each group due to testing, early release days, etc. However, I did get a couple of pictures to share with you! 

Skill: Asking thoughtful questions before, during, and after reading. 

Another example

 I'm now putting final touches on my first unit. If you like what you see, please comment below with your name and email address (or email me personally at saustin614@gmail.com) and I will email you the ENTIRE unit for FREE, to get your feedback before it hits my store this weekend.  

Deal?! You get to KEEP it. For Free. Just promise me to leave your feedback within one week! 

Now ....... please keep in mind, I am a new blogger! I've been accommodating assignments for YEARS, but finally now just getting around to jumping into this business, which is why I need your help! I'll take the first 5 people who contact me, so please don't hesitate. You get the product for free, you get to look over it and try it out with your own kiddos if you like! 

Also, I must add. These journals are not like any others that you've seen. I've taken time to make several differentiated versions, and labeled each at the top with an "A, B, C" etc. Some are made for students that need larger lines. Some are made with sentence starters. Some are more open-ended. It really depends on the skill. 

These are geared towards the 2nd grade curriculum, and currently I use them with the entire general education class. Some students need the step-by-step practice, and some don't. But everyone can use a little interactive~ness in their journal responding! ;) Dont'cha think?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Now presenting............

The Grand Opening of my TPT Store!!!

I've had ideas flowing all summer, and I've finally taken the time to pull it all together! First, I would like to share with you my *FIRST TPT PRODUCT!!* 

I use this 5-star Leader Poster Pack to provide a visual for my rules and expectations. The 5-Star Leader Program uses a mnemonic device to remember the expectations: 

S= Stay positive (Always bring a positive attitude to class!)

T= Try your best (Never be discouraged!)

A= And participate while following directions (You must participate AND follow directions! It's two different points! That's how it adds up to a 5-point star!)

R= ...Respectfully and Responsibly (You need to be respectful and responsible at all times!)

During my social skills classes, that I call Lunch Bunch, I use a self-monitoring positive reinforcement system to keep kids accountable for their behavior, while rewarding them for making good choices. In Lunch Bunch, everyone "wins" regardless of how many points they earn. The prizes are ranked, so that they can usually earn something (as long as they earn at least 5 points). Usually, this system works well enough that it's easy to earn the maximum number of points. However, when a kid is having a rough day, this system reminds them to improve on a certain skill so that they can earn the desired prize next time. 

Setting up for Lunch Bunch! Students pick a sheet and a twistable crayon, write their name & date, then color their score for the day!

Below is a picture of the self-monitoring sheet that I use. I copy them on colored paper, and then slice them on the dashed lines. My groups come to me twice each week (either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) so I have a separate format for each. The kids are taught to color in their score, so if they earned all 5, then they color in the number 5. On the second day, they add their points up, and prizes are as follows: 

This is the MW self-monitoring sheet. **FYI: There is also a TT template, as well as a 5-day template if you want to use it for a group that you have every day. 

Available Prizes (organized in Drawers): 
5 points = 1 sticker
8 points = washable tattoo
9 points = pencil/eraser prize
10 points = STAR SLIP (A PBS System that my whole school uses...kids go nuts over them, which makes them EXTREMELY desirable!)

Here's a sneak peek of what's included when you purchase this packet! Click the picture to get it from my store!

AND GUESS WHAT?! 

For the next month, I am giving it away FOR ONLY $1! I want users to try it out and give me feedback for this system, so the price will increase on 10/8/14. Please, please, PLEASE help me out and let me know what you think!

While you're visiting  my store...

Please check out my new freebie! (Click the picture below to find it at my store)

Please be mindful that these are the very first products that I am posting in my store, and the best way to help a new Teacher-Author out, is to give feedback! 

Thank you all for your help in supporting a new TPT Teacher-Author!! :)

TPT Social Skills Purchases That I 100% Recommend...

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE TECHNOLOGY?! 

In my previous posts, I complained about how my snipping tool wouldn't work (because Windows 8 is a little over my head in some areas). Well, in an effort to solve my excessive pop-ups problem, I found that I had "Launch [-ed] Google Chrome in the Windows 8 mode." Is anyone else a fan of Google Chrome? I love it until I can't figure something out. Well, now that I've got it back to "desktop mode," I can now have the internet window open at the SAME TIME as Snipping Tool. WHEW! I feel like I got my life back....

Moving on.... to what I came here to write about in the first place: 

So, the other day, last week, I finally submitted my receipts for PTA reimbursement. The deadline honestly snuck up on me, so I took advantage of some of the things on my wishlist, and I bought a million great activities to use during morning priming and lunch bunch. I can't wait to prepare everything and put it to use, but here's just a few of the amazing products that I purchased:

This is SUCH a great skill to practice with students who have Autism. I purchased this gem from the all-star Jivey! :) I've had my eye on it for a while. Click the picture to pick it up and place it in your shopping cart!

And I got the following items from the AMAZING Dabbling Speechie! Click each picture to go to the TPT store and pick them up! I just bought the bundle for $30, and if you're interested in that, click HERE.

These are all amazing, and I'm still in the process of printing, preparing, and organizing them all, but I recommend them to anyone who needs materials to teach social skills. You can read the Dabbling Speechie's blog here, to see more of the amazing things she does!

Some of her ideas come from the wonderful Michelle Garcia at Social Thinking.com 

Have you ever heard of SUPERFLEX? 

Well, Michelle Garcia and the Social Thinking team are to thank for this wonderful curriculum, and I have a Pinterest board of ideas to get you started. It may have some social materials mixed in, but it's a pretty great collection of ideas!! :)

That's all for now! Enjoy your new products! (Because I know you'll go buy them.... right?!)

~Sarah :)