I teach fifth grade and use sticky notes all of the time. Kids write on them and then we attach them to a "four-square" page (a paper that simply has been divided into four squares with room for the title of the book at the top) that is kept in their individual reading binders--pages of direct evidence of the kids' thinking while reading. GREAT for classroom formative assessment, report cards and parent-teacher conferences. By the way, the kids also have the option of simply writing directly on the four-square page, bypassing the sticky note. Most use the notes though because of their portability and small, non-threatening size.
Whenever we begin a new strategy focus, my kiddos have a little bit of time figuring out what exactly to write on those notes: how to write just enough information and how to SUPPORT their thinking with evidence from the text. That's why it's SO important to follow the GRADUAL RELEASE model beginning with MODELING. Modeling is not just a one time shot. You need to model, then model again, adjust instruction according to the needs of your students, model some more, and just when you think they JUST about have it, model AGAIN! :-) If the kids aren't "getting it" they need a MODEL of what "it" should look like. Of course, don't forget the other steps in the gradual release including shared, interactive, guided and independent practice. Your 5th grade teacher may be modeling, but skipping some of these other steps. Each is important in developing active readers. The Strategies That Work book does a nice job of explaining this process. Not only a good way to teach reading, but simply a good way to TEACH, period. -Michelle TG/ IA/ 5th This message sent from the home of Scott and Michelle TG www.mrstg.com -----Original Message----- From: Linda Buice [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] A teacher in my building is having difficulty with fifth graders use of sticky notes. Does someone have a lesson that helps them focus on just writing real connections on the notes - they are not getting her point. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
