Impressed students about how many books those students have read throughout the year. Students have kept reading logs and have collected an impressive pile of Story Bits at home. The teacher has a long list of books recorded during the Self-Selected Reading conferences with each child throughout the year. Encouraged students to feel at ease about getting up in front of the class and practicing their verbal skills. Teachers have given each child many opportunities to share in the Book Chat chair and in the Author's Chair.
Kids are usually quite comfortable by the ending of the year.
These books have all become the class favorites. Taught many, many skills and strategies through carefully planned mini-lessons in Guided Reading and Writing Blocks. This year students have learned to make predictions, plan with graphic organizers, brainstorm the K and W for a KWL chart, do a picture walk, review vocabulary, make connections with what they already know about the topic, and set a purpose for their reading. These are life-long skills. Helped students collect many new words through their vocabulary study and their word play.