Comprehensive Plan
Governing Principals:
Children’s literature is one of the most exciting ways that children can learn across a variety of content areas. Children’s literature is essential in order to have a fully balanced curriculum. Children’s literature gives students the chance to confront, discuss, and ponder different conflicts, themes, and issues. Children’s literature will serve as a link between content areas in my second grade classroom because it has so many seamless and endless benefits. Lesson plans and activities will be planned from literature and other times by using literature as a supplemental resource. My students will understand the important a role literature plays in my classroom so that literature will hopefully take on an important role in their lives as well. They should also understand that I carefully select the literature that introduce my second graders to, always with a purpose in mind so that they realize the effort that I place in my planning.
Class Activities:
I will read some form children’s literature to my students everyday. Children need as much exposure to a variety of literature as they can get. Many children do not have literature available to them at home so they rely on their teacher to provide that opportunity. Having literature read aloud, teaches students to read with intonation and prosody. I would like to have a block of time devoted to literature each day, even if this is giving students time for self-selected reading, I believe the more opportunities they are given then the better relationship they will develop with a variety of types of literature. I also plan on having literature incorporated into my other subjects everyday so that students are benefitting from both direct literature instruction and the use of literature in other content areas simultaneously. My second grade students will also have free reading opportunities throughout the school day. When they finish assignments early and when there are other breaks, I will allow time for more self-selected reading opportunities. I will encourage them to read self-selected books so that they can learn what they prefer. Students need to read all types of books to identify which ones resonate with them. I will also use literature circles in my classroom. Every week we will meet as a class and talk about books that they have read on their own and as a class. We will also talk about why they liked or disliked the books. This provides a time for students to openly share what they thought about a particular book and to know that it is okay to dislike a book. This also teaches students analytical thinking skills and how to then synthesize their thoughts into a thoughtful discussion with their peers.
Classroom Set-up:
I will have a cozy reading corner in my classroom. Comfortable chairs and bean bags for students will create an inviting and fun place to read. Next to the reading space will be the classroom library and students will be encouraged to grab a book and go to the space to read quietly. If they only read at their desk where they do all of their other work they will solely view reading as work. If they have a reading space that is much more relaxing and comfortable they will understand that reading can be done anywhere so long as you have text to read. Anytime a teacher takes up space in the room for students to enjoy themselves and read, it clearly is important to that teacher that students utilize the space. I will have all sorts of books in my classroom. For the second grade level I will probably have a combination of picture books and lower level chapter books.. Picture books are great beginning books for readers. Some short novels for beginning readers such as The Magic Tree House series will be available to my second graders so that they can begin learning how to read novels. These short novels will serve as a starting point for my students to dive into the world of novels, which typically are not illustrated and are divided into chapters. I will provide around fifty books at a time for them to choose from, and periodically throughout the year I will add new ones and take some of the old ones away. I will have themed books that go with the calendar year on the top of the bookshelf so that students will be aware that they are available. I will also use the bookbag method where each student can take a book in a bag home, but must return one to check out another. Thsi is important for students who have little or no access to books at home. In each bookbag will be a book, comprehension and application questions, star ratings notecard, a reading manipulative and a form for parents to fill out. The bag itself will be a gallon plastic ziplock bag. The bookbags will be available for the students to check-out for a week at a time. At the end of the week they will need to return the bookbag. This also allows me to monitor what books each student seems to really enjoy and what books are not so popular.
Teacher-Parent Relations:
I plan on keeping parents informed about the happening within my classroom through the use of a website such as, Weebly.com and newsletters. I know not all families will have internet access, but many prefer the use of technology. On the website I can add educational resources for parents so they know where to access grade level reading materials. There is a wealth of information to be found online for free. I will also include lists of great children’s books on the website and in the newsletter so that parents who need to access print copies can do so via their local library. Both forms of communication also inform the parents of exactly what we are working on in the classroom. The bookbags also help to keep parents involved because they know exactly what their child is reading.
Integrating Children’s Literature into Other Subjects
It would be foolish not to integrate literature across the content areas.Nonfiction books are excellent for teaching social studies, science and sometimes even math. Picture books are useful tools to introduce new unit topics especially in social studies and science. Textbooks tend to be boring an uninteresting to students, but there are a variety of other nonfiction books that can supplement or replace traditional textbooks. As well as reading, children’s literature works with all other aspects of language arts including but not limited to writing, spelling, and vocabulary. I may have students write their own poems or re-write the ending of a book so that they get a chance to view themselves not only as readers but as writers also. Literature also teaches many social lessons and teaches what it means to be a good student, citizen, son, daughter, brother or sister. Julia Cook’s children’s book address social aspects of school and life at home. Topics such as death, anxiety, and bullying will also be addressed through her very relatable and funny picture books.
Resources
Currently I use Pinterest.com, Teacherspayteachers.com, a variety of teacher’s blogs and education.com to spark ideas that I can add on to, create, or use in my classroom. These websites offer many creative ideas about teaching and doing just about everything, children’s literature included. I love to read and I plan to continue to read, especially books I plan to use in my classroom. I also plan on using suggestions and feedback from my students. During literature circles, I hope to receive genuine feedback, as well as feedback through the use of a suggestion box. I will take those suggestions to heart when I am planning lessons and choosing books for my library. The books should be books that they are interested in if the goal is to get them to want to read. Further, if they want to read, then all the else will fall into place.
Governing Principals:
Children’s literature is one of the most exciting ways that children can learn across a variety of content areas. Children’s literature is essential in order to have a fully balanced curriculum. Children’s literature gives students the chance to confront, discuss, and ponder different conflicts, themes, and issues. Children’s literature will serve as a link between content areas in my second grade classroom because it has so many seamless and endless benefits. Lesson plans and activities will be planned from literature and other times by using literature as a supplemental resource. My students will understand the important a role literature plays in my classroom so that literature will hopefully take on an important role in their lives as well. They should also understand that I carefully select the literature that introduce my second graders to, always with a purpose in mind so that they realize the effort that I place in my planning.
Class Activities:
I will read some form children’s literature to my students everyday. Children need as much exposure to a variety of literature as they can get. Many children do not have literature available to them at home so they rely on their teacher to provide that opportunity. Having literature read aloud, teaches students to read with intonation and prosody. I would like to have a block of time devoted to literature each day, even if this is giving students time for self-selected reading, I believe the more opportunities they are given then the better relationship they will develop with a variety of types of literature. I also plan on having literature incorporated into my other subjects everyday so that students are benefitting from both direct literature instruction and the use of literature in other content areas simultaneously. My second grade students will also have free reading opportunities throughout the school day. When they finish assignments early and when there are other breaks, I will allow time for more self-selected reading opportunities. I will encourage them to read self-selected books so that they can learn what they prefer. Students need to read all types of books to identify which ones resonate with them. I will also use literature circles in my classroom. Every week we will meet as a class and talk about books that they have read on their own and as a class. We will also talk about why they liked or disliked the books. This provides a time for students to openly share what they thought about a particular book and to know that it is okay to dislike a book. This also teaches students analytical thinking skills and how to then synthesize their thoughts into a thoughtful discussion with their peers.
Classroom Set-up:
I will have a cozy reading corner in my classroom. Comfortable chairs and bean bags for students will create an inviting and fun place to read. Next to the reading space will be the classroom library and students will be encouraged to grab a book and go to the space to read quietly. If they only read at their desk where they do all of their other work they will solely view reading as work. If they have a reading space that is much more relaxing and comfortable they will understand that reading can be done anywhere so long as you have text to read. Anytime a teacher takes up space in the room for students to enjoy themselves and read, it clearly is important to that teacher that students utilize the space. I will have all sorts of books in my classroom. For the second grade level I will probably have a combination of picture books and lower level chapter books.. Picture books are great beginning books for readers. Some short novels for beginning readers such as The Magic Tree House series will be available to my second graders so that they can begin learning how to read novels. These short novels will serve as a starting point for my students to dive into the world of novels, which typically are not illustrated and are divided into chapters. I will provide around fifty books at a time for them to choose from, and periodically throughout the year I will add new ones and take some of the old ones away. I will have themed books that go with the calendar year on the top of the bookshelf so that students will be aware that they are available. I will also use the bookbag method where each student can take a book in a bag home, but must return one to check out another. Thsi is important for students who have little or no access to books at home. In each bookbag will be a book, comprehension and application questions, star ratings notecard, a reading manipulative and a form for parents to fill out. The bag itself will be a gallon plastic ziplock bag. The bookbags will be available for the students to check-out for a week at a time. At the end of the week they will need to return the bookbag. This also allows me to monitor what books each student seems to really enjoy and what books are not so popular.
Teacher-Parent Relations:
I plan on keeping parents informed about the happening within my classroom through the use of a website such as, Weebly.com and newsletters. I know not all families will have internet access, but many prefer the use of technology. On the website I can add educational resources for parents so they know where to access grade level reading materials. There is a wealth of information to be found online for free. I will also include lists of great children’s books on the website and in the newsletter so that parents who need to access print copies can do so via their local library. Both forms of communication also inform the parents of exactly what we are working on in the classroom. The bookbags also help to keep parents involved because they know exactly what their child is reading.
Integrating Children’s Literature into Other Subjects
It would be foolish not to integrate literature across the content areas.Nonfiction books are excellent for teaching social studies, science and sometimes even math. Picture books are useful tools to introduce new unit topics especially in social studies and science. Textbooks tend to be boring an uninteresting to students, but there are a variety of other nonfiction books that can supplement or replace traditional textbooks. As well as reading, children’s literature works with all other aspects of language arts including but not limited to writing, spelling, and vocabulary. I may have students write their own poems or re-write the ending of a book so that they get a chance to view themselves not only as readers but as writers also. Literature also teaches many social lessons and teaches what it means to be a good student, citizen, son, daughter, brother or sister. Julia Cook’s children’s book address social aspects of school and life at home. Topics such as death, anxiety, and bullying will also be addressed through her very relatable and funny picture books.
Resources
Currently I use Pinterest.com, Teacherspayteachers.com, a variety of teacher’s blogs and education.com to spark ideas that I can add on to, create, or use in my classroom. These websites offer many creative ideas about teaching and doing just about everything, children’s literature included. I love to read and I plan to continue to read, especially books I plan to use in my classroom. I also plan on using suggestions and feedback from my students. During literature circles, I hope to receive genuine feedback, as well as feedback through the use of a suggestion box. I will take those suggestions to heart when I am planning lessons and choosing books for my library. The books should be books that they are interested in if the goal is to get them to want to read. Further, if they want to read, then all the else will fall into place.