By: Mary Kienstra on: April 14, 2017 in: #tlap, Engagement, reading
Every teacher in every school is looking for ways to generate reading excitement. How do we get kids more excited to read? How do we motivate them? How do we make reading fun for everyone? This year was our first One Book One School. It was a huge success. We started with the idea that […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: April 2, 2017 in: #tlap, creating, Engagement, reading
Filling out a bracket for March Madness is always exciting. Which team will be this year’s “Cinderella?” How will my favorite team do? Which team will win it all? A few years ago I decided to capitalize on this excitement. In my classroom, it’s Book Madness 2017: Reading in the Brackets! If the brackets […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: February 6, 2017 in: Engagement, hyperdoc, reading
I’m not sure when I first saw a HyperDoc, but I knew right away that was something I wanted to try. After reading the book with my PLC, I was ready. I created my first hyperdoc to use with my reading class for our historical fiction unit. I know it will not be my last. […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: December 3, 2016 in: #tlap, Engagement, reading
I have to thank Pernille Ripp and the Global Read Aloud crew for the inspiration! One of the picks for this year was The BFG, one of our curricular novels. That was a perfect fit! Find out more about The Global Read Aloud here. It’s fabulous! My students and I embarked on our read aloud […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: May 14, 2016 in: #tlap, community, reading
Some classes have the “IT” factor. That’s the class where the kids all care. Not about just the content. They care for each other too. They are a true community. They work together well and all seem to be pulling in the same direction. I look at this year’s class and wonder what we did […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: April 28, 2016 in: Engagement, non fiction, reading
When kids care, it changes everything. Engaging kids in non-fiction reading is all about bringing the topic to life. The trick is finding an issue to make them care. Tracking sharks and learning about the ocean is just that issue. And www.ocearch.org brings it to life. This week my students met Chris Fischer, the founder of Ocearch. […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: March 24, 2016 in: #tlap, Engagement, reading
Teachers see The Trial of Sponge Bob as a reading lesson where kids practice using evidence from the text to support their ideas. Kids see it as FUN! The week before Spring Break is a difficult week in an elementary school. As the excitement level continues to rise, it’s more and more difficult for the […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: March 21, 2016 in: authentic audience, Engagement, reading
March is a time for new beginnings as flowers sprout up through the soil and the sun begins to shine just a bit brighter. March is also known for March Madness as college basketball takes over our world of sports. In my class in March, it’s time for Book Madness 2016! Book Madness is a […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: May 31, 2015 in: reading
Since I always try to focus on continuous improvement, there are a few things I do at the end of every school year. I assess students and enter grades. I wrap up classes with game days and choice time. I clean and organize my classroom. But most importantly, I ask for my students’ advice. Asking for […] Read more
By: Mary Kienstra on: April 14, 2015 in: Engagement, enthusiasm, party, reading, book of the year
Today was the great reveal for the book of the year for 2015. It was a very close race, but HOLES by Louis Sachar won. My students voted for the book using a March Madness style bracket to narrow down the choices. I love this unit as it engages all readers in talking about books! […] Read more
Recent Comments