Guided Reading in the Common Core Classroom

January 28, 2013 by Wise Guys Leave a Comment

Guided Reading has been around for a while. It may have been called something different in the past, but this method is still the best way to help your students succeed in the Common Core reading classroom.

Guided Reading is designed to help students read both literature and instructional text at their instructional levels while incorporating reading strategies to help them make sense of text.

One of the most important parts of guided reading is the teaching and utilization of graphic organizers. These organizers help students make sense of text in a visual way. You can access three of the FREE graphic organizers we use in our classrooms by clicking on their names: Venn Diagram, KWL Chart, and Describing Wheel. We also have a super bundle of 25+ graphic organizers that you can access by clicking here.

A second method we use during guided reading are reading comprehension guides. These guides are designed to teach students how to use various reading strategies in a fun and engaging way. Click here to access our FREE guided reading tips, hints, and strategies. This resource has been downloaded over 35,000 times!

FREE Reading Guides

Click on the following names for two FREE examples of reading guides we use in our Common Core classroom: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and James and the Giant Peach. Each guide also includes an answer key.

To access over 50 guides we have created for intermediate level (grades 3-5) novels, you can click here. Title such as The Lightning Thief, Swindle, Bridge to Terabithia, Rules, The Red Pyramid and more can be found.

If you would like to get started on creating your own reading comprehension guides, remember to focus on reading strategies. Guides can be adapted for any grade level and any book. Try to include some fun activities as well (end of book projects, word finds) to keep the students excited about the books!

Our students are actively engaged during guided reading and it has made all the difference. Watch your district and state assessment scores rise by using guided reading in your Common Core reading classroom!

Creativity in the Common Core Classroom

December 19, 2012 by Wise Guys 8 Comments

Creativity in the Common Core Classroom

With the adoption of the Common Core Standards, states and school districts across the nation are scrambling to make sure their curricula meet the new expectations.

What has gotten lost in the shuffle with the new demands placed on professional educators is teacher creativity. Rigorous standards have often meant rigid demands on teachers in the classroom. Time that should be spent connecting with students is being replaced with more content to teach.

So the question in many educators’ minds is, “How do I still make learning engaging and meaningful for my students?” This is the million dollar question that both Eric and I intend to answer. We need to make sure that creativity in the common core classroom occurs.

Please follow our blog and our Facebook page as we will be sharing proven methods to help keep the creativity in your classroom while meeting the Common Core Standards.

Some upcoming topics will be: Games for Great Review, Using Youtube to Engage Students, Tying Music to Topics in the Classroom, Using Graphic Organizers, Electronics in Education, Energizers that Excite Your Students, Creating Assessments, and Content with Creativity.

Below are some of our most popular posts that engage students in their learning!

How to Increase Student Engagement

Engaging Students When They Finish Early

Implementing Genius Hour to Increase Student Engagement

Creativity in the common core classroom has to be a focus for student learning to take place. Teaching is an art. Let us be one of the painters of the future of education!

Brian and Eric

Common Core Standards are Here to Stay!

October 30, 2010 by Wise Guys Leave a Comment

Common Core Standards

The Common Core standards are here to stay whether we like it or not. So, it is time to hop on board and start implementing the standards in your classroom. It’s not that hard, it just takes some time to figure out what the new standards are asking us teachers to do.

We have been working on correlating our resources with the Common Core Standards that most states have adopted. It does take time and effort to do this. We suggest working with colleagues and going through the standards together. As you go through the standards, you will want to do the following:

meet with both the grade level above you and below you to find out what is taught so there is a smooth transition between grades.
unpack the standards-break each standard down into key words and phrases and be able to understand what the standard is asking you to teach
see how the standards can be tied together across disciplines. Reading and writing are natural areas for this.
invite specialists into the conversation. These would be your Gifted and Talented teachers, Reading Resource teachers, English Language Learners, and Special Education to name a few. It is always better to get a broader perspective to best meet the needs of the students.
Make your units and lessons relevant and engaging. The Common Core allows you to do this!

Using the Common Core

“Common Core” does not have to be a bad word in your school district. It does lay a solid foundation for students. It also provides rigor in schools across the nation. Take this as time to look at what you are teaching. Truly evaluate the materials you are using are meeting your students needs.

The Common Core is the foundation of your overall goals in each content area. How you get there can be up to you! Make sure that you have a major seat at the table with any curriculum adoptions in your school district. Be a voice that matters!

Eric and I, from Wise Guys, pride ourselves on creating highly engaging and relevant Common Core lessons for our grades 3-6 students. Check out our activities, lesson plans, printables, worksheets, reading comprehension guides, projects and more by clicking on our logo below!