T.G.I.F.

Fridays are my favorite school day of the week.  I try to plan events that the kids know will happen just about every Friday to give them something to look forward to all week. 

Throughout the week the class works so hard in each subject, that setting Friday's tone to be just as hardworking, yet more fun and a little bit relaxing is a great way to end the week.

Each Friday the class has the chance to empty their "buckets."  All week classmates work to fill buckets so on Fridays everyone has a kind note to read.  

Another event that occurs on Fridays is Book Shopping Day!  This is the chance the kids have to return books they finished reading or chose to abandon and fill their book bins with new books for the upcoming week!

We talked about how great readers choose books that are just-right for them.  This means students should pick books based on their reading level determined by the DRAs and running records, as well using the Five Finger Rule (put a finger up for each word you cannot read on a page - if five or more fingers go up, the book is too challenging).  Readers can also choose choice books such as picture books and nonfiction books.

Each book from my classroom library has a pocket card inside of it as well as an index card with the book's title.  When checking out books (no more than five a week), students take out the index card and place it in their numbered pocket on our Look What I'm Reading chart.

 During Reader's Workshop students practiced Partner Reading.  They sat EEKK (elbow to elbow, knee to knee) and could share a book or take turns reading from their own book. 

On a closet door in our classroom hangs a Boggle board.  We practiced this activity as a class since this will become an early finisher activity or word work center.

During math students had two math journal pages to complete independently.  Once completed and teacher checked, they could play the Number Grid game.

We've discussed the possibility of having a Fun Friday for students who've completed their homework all week.  During the discussion we talked about being responsible and that of course occasionally events do come up where homework could not be completed.  In that case a parent note will excuse the late homework and it can be completed the following night.  Since this was the first Fun Friday all students were able to participate (last 20 minutes before our end of the day special).  We took advantage of the gorgeous weather and played outside!

After music, students came back to pack up and collect their bucketfiller slips.  I loved seeing their faces light up as they read notes from friends.  I saw children walking around the classroom to thank each other and even answering some of the questions, "Yes, we should have a play date!"  It was so sweet and this truly helps build our classroom community!  Have a great weekend!!!