What are your favorite chapter books to read aloud to first graders throughout the year?
They always love Dory Fantasmagory! The kids also like Heartwood Hotel, but K teachers read that to them, so I don’t want to repeat.
I want to change up what I usually do in the mornings when the school year starts. In the past, they've done open ended things from free draw, wooden marble run, chess, reading, etc., and towards the end of the year, they did worked on a writing prompt in the morning (which they didn't always like). My first graders come in at 7:45 am and they trickle in until 8:00-8:05.
What do you all have your kids work on when they come to the classroom in the morning that's social (they like chatting with each other in the morning), but also academic enough that it doesn't feel like choice time? Something engaging/fun that will last until it's time for morning meeting!
Last year, my first graders had SUCH a hard time walking in a line (e.g. going from one place to another). They always ended up blobbing. I tried putting them in a line order, which helped, but the group was so chatty and kids either turned around to talk to their friends, or walked slowly to talk to their friends. I've also tried lots and lots of going back to the line up spot and practicing again.
What are some of your favorite strategies to get kids walking in a line at the start of the year? Or any routines I can keep building from the start to get them in the habit of walking in a line?
I'm trying to find a better way to organize my weekly lessons next year when school starts. I've been using a Google Docs sheet that I make a copy and update weekly. Is there a better format that you prefer using? Looking for all sorts of ideas on what worked well for you from Google Docs or specific websites.
FYI I teach 1st grade if that info is necessary!
Edit: Here's an example of my current weekly plans. I just copy and paste it to a new week. I just feel like it's not working for me, but I can't put a finger on why. Just by looking at it, are there tweaks you'd make to improve it?
I'm trying to find a better way to organize my weekly lessons next year when school starts. I've been using a Google Docs sheet that I make a copy and update weekly. Is there a better format that you prefer using? Looking for all sorts of ideas on what worked well for you from Google Docs or specific websites.
FYI I teach 1st grade if that info is necessary!
I'm looking for some feedback/advice on my current study routine and how I can improve on effectiveness. My goal is to have conversations in Vietnamese and to speak confidently.
Some background: I grew up speaking some Vietnamese with my mom when I was young, but over time, she just started speaking English with me. I've asked her in the past to speak Vietnamese with me so I could learn, but she ends up saying she doesn't think I can understand and English is faster for her now. I have knowledge of grammar structure, but I'm trying to build my vocab so that I can actually have a conversation in Vietnamese with someone. I've taught myself how to read and write, but I'm not too good at it. I'm not in college anymore, so I don't have connections to any Vietnamese friends or know where to find people who can help me practice speaking in Vietnamese in person.
My current routine:
-I've been taking group lessons every Saturday for an hour through NRCAL's Vietnamese Language Program (we have one last session though before the semester ends).
-I started listening to the stories on Learn Vietnamese with Annie's website. I'll write the transcript down in a notebook and I'll also write down the new vocab.
-I listen to Vietnamese music all the time, but it doesn't really help me speak or learn new vocab.
I've used iTalki in the past, but was considering using it again for the speaking practice. I also have the Elementary Vietnamese textbook in case it's worth digging into again.
Is my current routine effective enough? What would you change? I'm kind of at a loss and feel like my current routine is doing nothing for me.