The Creative Classroom - Accommodations

I've had the chance to test students on our district's universal screener.  It's also the time of year that it's time to focus on student needs to prepare them for the next school year.  Since the first part of my year was invested in student IEP's and getting them better aligned to the student's academic needs, I can really focus on student goals and making sure they are addressed.

Recently, I read a book that was, as they say, a "game-changer" for my thinking in terms of supporting student reading.  The book is from Donalyn Miller and its title is "The Book Whisperer". Ms. Miller, a veteran reading teacher, takes the reader through her ideas for increasing student literacy rates with this idea:  give students time to read independently.  Though it sounds so simple, it isn't really, in light of the myriad of curriculum demands and other day to day obligations a teacher has.  After reading the book and doing some soul-searching, I revamped my center work in my classroom to include a listening center, and a growing book library.  Moreover, I have doubled-down on my small group rotation with the help of students universal screener scores and their IEP needs.  This small shift in thinking has created in me a new energy as I see students excited about reading on their own or listening to great chapter books.  Included in this strategy is a reenergized focus on a writing center to support students in their written expression.  These pencils (above) are some of my favorite ways to excite students with this center because of their ease of use, fun colors, and great writing! 

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