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Mrs. Ponton's Safari into 1st Grade

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WILD About 1st Grade!
Greetings From Mrs. Ponton!
S.A.F.A.R.I. Notebooks
Swingin' Into Reading
Marvelous Math
Literacy & Exploration Take Home Totes
Super Scientists
Kevin Henkes
Smiling With Robert Munsch
Hoppin' With Froggy Books
Laura Numeroff
2008-2009 Project Adventures
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Swingin' Into Reading



Swingin' Into Reading

My goal in reading class is to have a balance of literacy processes. We will have a balance of instruction between reading and writing, with the use of various strategies for both. The basic components for a balanced literacy program include: guided reading, shared reading, read aloud, familiar/repetitive reading, independent reading, phonemic awareness, phonics instruction and coaching groups. I can be categorized as using an eclectic approach for my reading instruction. I believe in using what proves to work. Just like a good recipe, mix a little of this and a little of that and you come up with a wonderful dish. I'm always looking for ways to improve how I serve up my reading instruction. This summer I'm researching The Daily 5 which should prove a refreshing way to manage reading instruction. Here is the site to checkout what The Daily 5 is all about. The Daily 5
Two other books for my summer research/reading are Mentor Texts: Teaching Writing Through Children's Literature by Lynne Dorfman and Reading With Meaning by Debbie Miller.




One thing I always have plenty of is Learning Stations. I've been revamping those as well and recently found some fabulous sites. I've included the links at the bottom of my station descriptions. Some of the learning stations I have include the following:


{These are ALWAYS changing}
Literacy Bags-these are homemade tote bags that contain a book, with an activity or two to be completed Buddy Reading- read with a small stuffed animal in our reading tent or reading chair
Write the Room- clipboard and paper to go around the room and write down words or phrases they find new or interesting Read the Room- use decorative pointers to read charts, focus boards, poems, etc throughout the room

Computers- starfall.com or take AR tests

Listening- individual tape and CD players to listen to books or series stories

Spelling- a variety of activities to practice weekly spelling words

Word Work-word building activities†using letter tiles

Language Arts Games- various teacher made games that reinforce reading and language arts skills

Journal Writing- free choice and prompt writing using personal journals

Ponton's Press- various formats from letter correspondence to making books

Themed Activities-activities that change with the seasons, months and hoildays

Science- a favorite spot to relax and investigate the many items in our science museum

Artist Easel-the use of art materials to reinforce skills and concepts from our reading selections
Story Retelling- props for retelling books and stories read in class as well as listened to at listening station Sentence Building- building sentences with a pocket chart and word cards


Literacy Station Links
Florida Center for Reading Research
Always a wealth of wonderful downloadable centers.

Story Props from KidzClub
I'm using many of these for my book retelling station.

Activity of the Month- Dr. Jean
These poems of the month will be used at the poetry corner, along with our poetry folders.

DIBEL's Online Literacy Games
These games will be used for computer work.

Classroom teachers are always willing to share and encourage one another. These following sites are shared by primary teachers and offer a wealth of ideas. Several have items to download and use.

1st and 2nd Grade Literacy Stations from Mrs. Nelson
Mrs. Ross' 1st Grade Literacy Centers
Primary Centers from The Primary Nook
Teachers Zone Literacy Stations Teresa Wilson's Literacy Centers
Work Stations from The Virtual Vine







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Last Modified: Saturday July 12 2008
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