Junie B. says, "Reading Rules!"

Dear First Grade Journal,

I am really excited to be a member of Mrs. Cooley's First Grade Class!  I love sitting over in the corner listening to all the little smarties read books to themselves and to their buddies.   I might just actually stay in Mrs. Cooley's Class forever, I think.  

Love,

"Junie B."

Many of you have asked me where I got my Junie B. cut-out!  This summer, Books-a-Million was having a Summer Reading Program with Junie B., and I just asked the sweet people over there to save her for me, and they did!  I was so excited to finally set her up in the reading corner!  She reminds us everyday that "Reading Rules!"  We have been so busy learning new routines and modeling and practicing expectations during reading.  We learned that there are 3 ways to read a book, and my sweet baby Emma was the "model"  for our anchor chart!

We have settled into The Daily Five, and I couldn't be prouder of how well my little friends are doing by taking charge and working so hard to become great readers!  When it is time to share something they have learned during reading, or something that they are proud of, I am amazed at the variety of answers I get!  Some are excited that they read a whole Dr. Seuss book to themselves, while others have written a story and beam as they share it aloud.  Others share a favorite part of a favorite book they read, and some smile as they tell me they have learned to spell our new "Challenge Words".  One of my favorite moments every year comes when I am teaching a small group at my back table, and take a moment to just look around and see the kids enjoying reading and writing and learning new words.  Even though everyone is busy, and the room isn't exactly quiet, it is still one of the most peaceful times in our classroom.  Junie B. is right.  Reading Rules. 

This is my "new and improved" Daily Five Chart.  I seriously love it, because this year it has real photos of the kids modeling how you should look at each station!