|
|
|
|
| ISSUE 51 | AUGUST 2024 |
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Are you ready for another SUPER school year? We sure are! We hope you enjoyed a restful summer and are recharged and ready to get to know your 2024–25 students. In this issue of The Superkids Bulletin, you’ll find classroom tips and ideas to help you start the school year strong.
If you know a Superkids teacher who does not receive The Superkids Bulletin, please share the sign-up page. Our newsletter offers a monthly collection of teaching ideas, wisdom from Superkids coaches and teachers, and fun resources for the classroom.
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
As you begin the year, it’s important to keep in mind how many lessons you will be teaching and plan accordingly. There are 142 lessons in kindergarten, 175 lessons in first grade, and 170 lessons in second grade. Before the school year begins, look at your school calendar and determine any holidays, teacher workdays, half-days, field trips, etc., that will impact your reading block. This will help ensure you are able to complete the program.
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Superkids teachers often ask for tips and ideas about organizing their teacher and student resources. Many teachers suggest organizing your materials by unit before the year begins. Below are a few organization ideas shared by fellow teachers.
|
| |
 |
|
Storing Teacher Materials
Store all resources needed to teach a unit in a bin, box, or large zip bag. Place a label on the outside of the container that lists the materials stored inside. When the unit is ready to begin, you have everything you need to teach in one place!
If you are looking for a Superkids themed label, we have you covered! Download, personalize, and print labels for your unit boxes, bins, or baggies. Two sizes are available!
Superkids Organization Labels
|
| |
 |
|
Storing Student Materials
If students do not have desks with a storage space, it is smart to create a space in the classroom that holds materials students will need for each day’s lesson. Individual student boxes or hanging files can include the Student Book or Word Work Book, the Practice Page for the day, the Reader, and any other materials individual students will need. When it is time for your Superkids lesson, the students just grab their box or folder. No time is wasted passing out individual materials!
|
| |
 |
|
Game and Activity Storage
Laminate and store games for differentiated instruction and independent activities in pencil boxes. Label the box and every game piece with its unit number. This makes it easy to find a game when you need it and for students to quickly return misplaced game pieces to the correct box.
|
| |
 |
|
Storing Support Activities
Store Activity Pages, Ten-Minute Tuck-In materials, and printed directions in bags labeled by unit. When support staff or classroom volunteers arrive to assist, simply direct them to the storage space and indicate which bag(s) to pull to find activities that support the student or group they will be working with.
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
It can be beneficial to envision how independent work time will look in your classroom and consider what procedures will need to be in place to make that happen. Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you plan for effective and meaningful independent work time so you can easily work with small reading groups.
Where will students complete their independent work?
Some teachers prefer students work independently on tasks while seated at their desks. Other teachers like a very structured center rotation where students visit activities in groups and move to the next station at the same time. Some choose to have the children move to the next station at their own pace. You will need to determine and teach the procedure that works best for you and your students.
Do I want a mix of independent, partner, and group activities?
Students will need to know if they are to complete an activity on their own, with a friend, or in a group. Consider adding a label to each independent activity station so it is clear how they are to complete the task. Take a peek at these Superkids labels that help students know how you would like them to work.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
How will the students know what to do?
Students need to have a clear understanding of what to do when you are meeting with your reading groups. It is important to determine how you will display the tasks they are to complete. Some teachers simply write the tasks for the day on the board. Others use pocket charts, printed must-do/may-do lists, or station rotation wheels.
Where will they find the supplies needed to complete their tasks?
Many Superkids teachers use tool kits at their independent stations. They will place any printed materials, crayons, pencils, markers, scissors, etc., needed to complete the task in a box. Providing all items needed at the station location prevents students from wandering around the classroom for supplies.
What should they do if they need help while I am working with a reading group?
It’s a good idea to provide a visual “do not disturb” cue for your class that indicates you are busy working with a group. This will significantly cut down on interruptions while you teach the reading lesson. Examples of visual cues are a special “I am working” hat, an “open/closed” flip-sign at the small-group table, or a light that signals you are busy when it is turned on.
What else might they need to know?
Being proactive is key. Consider creating and teaching independent work time procedures for using the bathroom, turning in completed work, what to do if all assigned tasks are finished early, what to do if tasks are incomplete when independent work time is ending, and putting away station materials.
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Doing a little classroom redecorating as you head into a new school year? This set of inspirational Superkids signs may be what you are searching for! These serve as gentle reminders for your students to do their best, be kind to others, and more.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
