Responsive Classroom

I try to follow the Responsive Classroom Program in my classroom. I am better at implementing some aspects of it than others. We do have a morning meeting every morning. I am looking for some new greetings though. We are getting pretty tired of the same ones. I try to keep them quick and simple. Any ideas? I often include a read aloud into morning meeting as well because I like starting the day off with a good book. If I don't read a book at morning meeting, we do some sort of activity. I don't like to get them too fired up first thing though. Sometimes its hard for them to settle down after a silly activity.

I definitely like the Guided Discovery portion of the program. I find myself using that language all year long. There is so much value in spending time teaching the kids how to use even the simplest materials or tools. I find myself reminding them less and less about the appropriate use of a tool, the more time I spend at the beginning. This is especially important in math. When a new manipulative is introduced, it is so important to give them time to play with it before expecting them to use it as a tool.

I also enjoy the Responsive Classroom newsletter. I think it has valuable and applicable articles highlighted. It's definitely worth signing up for it.

Non-Fiction Readers in First Grade

I am a first grade teacher who enjoys integrating science into reading and writing as often as possible. I am excited about the fact that there are more low leveled and easy reader non-fiction texts available now. The children love learning new facts and information. It is especially nice when they can read about the topics they are intersted in, on their own. I love it when a child tells me about something they are interested in or tells me a story about something and I can go get a book for them to read more about the topic. They are so proud when they can do it on their own.