Featured Tips

Thank you to everyone who participated in the READ 180 Community Back to School Raffle! We received over 100 engaging back to school teaching tips. Select tips are featured below.

Do you want to share your READ 180 teaching tips and cool classroom ideas with READ 180 educators across the country? Your tip could be featured below or in the next READ 180 Community eNews! Submit Your Tip Now!

Our Pick Rich Vocabulary Word Walls “ I take all 10 vocabulary words and “words to know” from the each Workshop and create a study sheet for my students. Each student then selects a word to “call their own” and creates a word wall poster for their word. The poster shows the word illustrated vividly and colorfully, defines the word, uses the word in an example, explains 3 synonyms and 3 antonyms, and finally depicts a situation with the word in a colorful illustration. I have the posters laminated and put up on the wall above the computers. Each student will have a visual reference for each of the words by year’s end and will keep a book of all the vocabulary words. ” Diane Deltona, FL

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• A Pocket Full of Names
  “ To display names of students in each group, I found that using a pocket chart (available from School Specialty catalog in a beautiful royal blue color that matches all the other materials) is really useful. Each student gets to personalize their own index card with markers, stickers, symbols, etc. Then the cards can be placed in the pocket chart and displayed neatly and attractively. When it is time to change the groups around, you only need to move the index cards to a new pocket. It looks great, students feel they are part of the process because they get to make their own card and it gives the group a sense of community to always see their names together! ”
  – Amy, Reading Teacher, Sayville, NY
• Create a Daily Scoring System
  “ At the beginning of each school year, I create a spreadsheet with a list of all my students’ names in alphabetical order. I keep 3 copies on a clipboard. I label the first for Scholastic Reading Counts! quizzes, the second for BookWrites, and the third for QuickWrites. As students take quizzes they can just show me their scores and I record it on the sheet. It causes minimal disturbance during Small-Group Instruction. Students can also check the sheet to see which quizzes they have completed. It helps me keep track of the work that students owe me. I also create a book list of all the available books in my room. Students can fill in their scores on quizzes and if they have completed their BookWrites. ”
  – Lynne
  Binghamton, NY
• Tied Up in Words
  “ We have a word bank and choose a word for each day. Students wear the word on a piece of yarn. They are prompted throughout the day to look at their word and read it. ”
  – Tom
  Miami, FL
• Conferencing Comes Before Testing
  “ When students complete a book in Modeled and Independent Reading rotation we have an individual conference to discuss the book before they take a test. This has been very successful in increasing comprehension in addition to increasing their vocabulary and strengthening their communication skills. ”
  – Michelle
  Ft. Benning, GA
  Note from Noelle:
  Encourage students to keep track of their work using the record-keeping support in the back of the rBooks. Combine student tools with the use of the reports, teacher records, and the resource materials to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of conferencing. You'll also notice that this builds a win-win ownership with accountability.
• 
  Make Your Own QuickWrite Bookmarks
  “ Rather than copying the quick-write pages for each student to have and write on, I shrink them slightly, copy them on brightly colored paper, laminate them, and then the students can use them as a bookmark. They can use crayon or wipe off markers and erase when through for someone else to use. This method cuts down on the amount of copying needed and the children have the questions with them to refer to as they are reading! ”
  – Linda, Merrick, NY
  Note from Noelle:
  Helping students manage independent reading accountability will benefit an increase in on-task, engagement, and success. Finding ways for the tasks to be easier is fabulous! Remember, the goal for the Reading Log is to keep track of title, pages read, and important notes or comments. The QuickWrites benefit the development of responding to literature. A bookmark strategy will help students know when to stop and respond. Both independent reading tips will increase the effectiveness of the tools for book conferencing. As students complete a book, keep completed logs and QuickWrites in a portfolio.
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  Clipboards – The Latest and Greatest in the Independent Reading Rotation
  “I use clipboards in the independent reading area; they sure make it easier to write when the kids are on the couch.”
  –Debra, Cypress, TX
• “To keep students motivated, I allow them to do rBook Projects (from Scholastic Web site) at the end of each theme. It keeps them on task and moving forward. They love it and it establishes great team work!”
  –Kimberly, Reading Teacher, Richmond, VA
  Note from Noelle:
  To effectively implement this tip in your classroom, master READ 180 teacher Noelle of Ask Noelle recommends: “Think about your instructional pace and model. For example, provide students with three days to work on the project in-class. This gives them three 20-minute Whole-Group days to complete. Allow students to work on the project at home to complete if needed. Make sure to explain your expectations and how the project will be assessed. Share the projects during Whole-Group and Wrap-up at the end of the week. Display student and team work both in and out of the classroom.”