Launching the Reading Block

Here are my reading posters and charts I use to start off the school year. Each day, I will focus on a reading strategy so we can refer to them all year.

Class Contract

This is a first day activity for going over our class rules. My school had the rules respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. I started with a T-chart of what a good classmate is and is not, and had the kids brainstorm attributes. Then we agreed that all of the categories fell under the 3 Rs and charted some top specific attributes. I wrote the 3 Rs on the bottom and left space for everyone to sign. I also started the lesson off with playing a Despicable Me clip of Gru listing off his hilarious rules. They loved it!

First Day Activity: What can your teacher do to help you be successful?

Got this idea from fellow teachers and it was really great to read their responses. Kids have to hear so many rules the first day of school so it’s good to let them feel like they have a say, too. Great first day activity!

Expository Text Chart Reading and Writing

This can be used for reading and writing. This chart includes the definition of expository texts, its attributes, author’s purpose, and then left space for always, sometimes, never. Always, sometimes, never is a great strategy for deconstructing different types of texts. I use it at the beginning of every new unit and even in math. My husband teaches high school and I got the idea from him. It works for every grade! Here are some examples of ways to use it-
Expository is always informational, sometimes funny, and never poetry.
Quadrilaterals are always four sided, sometimes parallelograms, and never triangles.

Nonfiction Text Features

Before making this nonfiction text features chart, I had students go on a “hunt” for these features in our books. They marked what they found with sticky notes. I then made copies of those pages to create this chart.

Small Moment/ Personal Narrative/ Slice of Life Writing Checklist

I created this with my second graders a few years ago. Students can use it as a checklist and a rubric for self-assessing. Glitter words make your writing shine!

Math Workshop: What is a mathematician?

A poster created with my students to launch math workshop. Could be used for any grade level or content. The border makes the chart stand out on the wall and gives it a more finished look.