Reading Genre Posters

I LOVE teaching reading!! My favorite time of the day is when we begin guided reading groups! I've spent a lot of time in reading professional developments and really enjoy learning the latest researched based strategies.  I'm definitely a person who likes to try new things!  I'm always looking for new things to incorporate into my classroom! With that said, I recently spent three full days at an Orton Gillingham training and it really got me thinking and reflecting upon my reading instruction.  So far, this is my thinking...

1. I will NEVER give up guided reading groups!  It is the ONLY way to provide instruction to meet the needs of ALL of my students.

2. The saying "learning to read, then reading to learn" is just SILLY! All readers need strategy instruction! ALL readers read for meaning.  It doesn't matter if they are listening or reading independently.

3.  Strategy instruction is ALWAYS present.  Sometimes it is on "high" and sometimes on the back burner but it is always there!

4. A gradual release of responsibility is IMPORTANT! Always introduce the strategy by modeling and thinking aloud {I've learned that I have to really make my thinking transparent}, provide guided practice, independent practice, and self reflection.

5. Daily assessment RULES THE DAY!

6. Round robin reading has been replaced with whisper reading, echo reading, partner reading, and silent reading {EVEN IN READING GROUPS}.

7. Teach strategy instruction ALL DAY!  Not just during reading instruction.

And now... the things I want to incorporate and really work on this year!

1. Incorporating Word Work for my advanced readers!  They still need it!! I LOVE the scope and sequence given at the Orton Gillingham training.

2. Reading stories from various genres so that my first graders become exposed to the genres!

3. Vocabulary!! I need to increase vocabulary instruction!

4. Word Wall Words - I'm going to spend more of my focus ensuring that my student learn to SPELL and read their sight words.

With that said... I am so excited about the new projects I'm working on! I just finished up my reading genre posters!  I'm going to display each poster as the genre is introduced.  Then... as I read various stories, I'm going to have my class determine the genre and we will add a sticker around the "matching" poster. Here's a little look...

I made three versions of each poster. One with the chalkboard background, one with a white background & colored font, and one with white background and black font.  I LOVE the chalkboard background but did it in white for those of you who want to save some ink! All of the genre posters can be found here.

I'm also working an a MEGA word work interactive notebook that I am SO excited about! I might have to post it in sections for now because it will probably take me until the end of the school year to get it complete! And I'm off to bed... I am so EXCITED about the big TpT sale tomorrow!  My shopping cart is full!!!