Creating Better Anchor Charts

Have you ever wondered if your anchor charts are meaningful learning tools? Well, I did.  When I saw this book, Smarter Charts,  I knew I had to read it. Marjorie Martinelli and Kristine Mraz guide you as to what to put on the chart, the language to use, how to get your students to use them, as well as, how to draw simple chart visuals.

An easy to read book, the first section begins with What Do I Put On My Charts?.  Sometimes, less is more, especially in creating Smarter Charts.  

Go here to see another comprehension chart.

When I made this chart, I knew that I needed to teach characters but wanted visuals to help trigger who can be a character.  It heavily relies on the visual literacy of my students as well as the reading schema that we had created together.  In planning this chart, I made the heading ahead of time and had selected the images prior to our lesson. Together, they recalled the character name as I wrote it for us.  This chart was frequently used in our room especially when I asked about who is the character in the story.  I always had a few kids turn their heads towards the chart.

The next section discusses how to help students use charts independently.  I have learned over the years, that manufactured or teacher made charts can be beautiful; at times, they can be visual clutter if they are not used.  This section teaches you how to teach children to use the chart instead of asking you for assistance.

This chart was created because I had many students coming up to me during Writer's Workshop stating, "I'm done!."  Our rule during Writer's Workshop is that you are never finished.  Apparently, I understood the rule but a few of my students did not.  This chart helped them know what to do next.  It contained icons (the pencil and coloring image) from other class made charts as visual reminders.

Source: midlandisd.net via Michelle on Pinterest

Finding space to hang charts can be tricky.  But if we want kids to use them, they need to be displayed in ways that children can access them.  Dedicate a space for your charts.  I only hang a few but keep most stored on a clothes rack similar to this one. I've also have kept my charts all on the chart pad and students flip to the chart that they needed.  

When is is time to retire a chart?  That is one of many questions that is posed in the last section of the book.  I found this section to be the most thought provoking.  It had never occurred to me to revise a chart instead I've always just retired it, as in, throwing it away.   Leaving white space for revising or adding to the chart gives the chart a new life.  

My students' writing improved because of this chart.  I could have made it better had I included student examples written on large post its or an exemplar from a student who was doing this skill well. Instead, after a while, it was recycled because it became dingy and ugly.  I learned other constructive ways which would have allowed for this chart to "live on."

  

Now, that I've read Smarter Charts I know that I will be creating better anchor charts.    

Visit my Anchor Chart Pinterest Board for some anchor chart making inspiration.  Remember to tailor them to fit the needs of your students. Better yet, visit ChartChums the blog by Marjorie Martinelli and Kristine Mraz to see their charts in action. You'll love it!

This was a 

post because all of the images used were from previous posts.  To read more about the anchor charts click on the links provided with each image or go here.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Learning how to Retell

There are so many elements when teaching young children how to read.  Many of my kids are so excited about the fact that they can read the words.  Our next hurdle has been to think and understand what we read.  I have been using this graphic organizer to help my students retell fiction stories.

To introduce this concept, I used familiar texts that my students knew a lot about.  I wanted them to focus on the comprehension and not "learn" a new story.  As we filled out the graphic organizer, we retold the story bit by bit.  We did it whole group or with a partner.

As you can see, the retell includes pictures and words.  I like this because it helps to "trigger" what to say.  It also asks them to think about the story rather than just learning the terms beginning, middle and end.  I don't know about your students but mine take that term literally.  Many times opening right to the middle of a book.  I also like that it is related to the Common Core; a direction that I am trying to move my teaching.

Would you like a copy of this to use with your students? Included is the graphic organizer and text to make a teacher poster like shown above.

What do you do to help young readers with comprehension?  I am looking for books and ideas to explicitly teach inference.  Any suggestions?  Your comments and feedback is appreciated.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Trees. Tree Maps, Everywhere!

Lettering Delights graphic

We have trees growing in our classroom. 

Well, not tress but Tree Maps!  

Tree maps have become a rich part of our learning experience.

Here are a few that we made this week.

First up, MLK.

We read several books which helped us learn about the life of MLK. I was inspired by many, such as this, and this wonderful resource. The kids loved the new word that they learned; equality.  

The ideas presented on this tree map are all student generated.  It came from their learning.

Here is our completed bulletin board.

Next. Penguins!

These arctic animals made an appearance during our English Language Development class.

I love this time because the students are a mixed group from every kindergarten class. I teach the highest level of English speakers. As a  result, my goal is to move them towards English fluency in all areas; listening, speaking, reading and writing.  

Here are some samples of the writing.

 
I am so proud of the writing that they produced with guidance and support from the use of the tree map.   

We can do it! Yes, we can! 


Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Anchor Charts to Support Comprehension

Do you use anchor charts to support students understanding?

Here are a few charts to help support my students understand basic comprehension skills.  The key words are color coded so that the kids can make a connection between these words.

Be sure to include animals, people and diversity. 

We are putting these skills to practice during our read aloud time. It has also helped my speech students who have difficulty understanding the W words (who, what, when, and where).

Using familiar text will help students connect to these comprehension skills.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Math Work Stations

Here is what our Math Work Stations look like.  

The I Can chart is based on our learnings thus far.  

It will be revised as we continue to grow and learn as mathematicians.

There are 11 Math Work Stations in our room.

Most games involve one of the three topics from our I Can Chart.

On average, our work station time is 15 minutes long.

For now, I am monitoring groups. 

Soon, I plan to meet with students.  

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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What is it? Letter or Number?

This week we worked on identifying words, letters, numbers and shapes.  I noticed some students were confused with these terms when I gave them their initial assessments.   This was especially true of my students who did not come to school with this basic vocabulary or are learning English.   We created this chart together.

Each child was given a card and had to think where it belonged.  I gave my experts the cards first and asked how they knew the answer.  Later, as part of their math workstation, the students sorted their own set.

Click here to get yours.

If you plan to use these with your students, please leave a comment.   Happy Friday!

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Clouds, Clouds and More Clouds

It was a great week for cloud watching in southern California!  The kids really loved watching the clouds and naming them using their newly found knowledge.  We created this anchor chart together as we read The Cloud Book.  I also had one of my students take notes for us on a dry erase board as we read.  Some of the work is displayed. As we created the anchor chart, students wrote a fact or two onto their Cloud Book.  




Later in the week, we made cloud mobiles.  Students needed to place the clouds based on where they are located in the sky.   Students also wrote a few facts about clouds. One of my little ones described cirrus clouds as "clouds that look like duck's wings."  Love it!

Lastly, we created a bulletin board displayed based on It Looked Like Spilt Milk.  I turned out so cute and will be a welcoming treat for families as they visit for conference week.  Here are a few up close views.  

  A butterfly                                                                                         An octopus

Happy Teaching and Learning!

P.S.  All the graphics are from Lettering Delights!  Go grab yours today!

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