Reading Marathon

This is another idea taken from a 4th grade teacher at my previous school and I love it! It's called a "Reading Marathon" and the students love it!

Materials: (for each child)
-white paper, folded into 6 sections- plain printer paper or white construction paper will do
-leveled text
-crayons, colored pencils, pencil

Time: about 90 minutes

Pass out a book(should be the child's independent level) and a sheet of folded paper to each child. Students may use books that they are currently reading. Explain that they will be participating in a Reading Marathon. Students should  complete each section in the time alloted.

10 minutes: Section 1- Make a new cover for you book. Color the cover, be sure to include the title and author.

10 minutes: students reading silently.

10 minutes: Section 2- Write three important details about your favorite character. Draw and color a picture of the character.

10 minutes: students reading silently

10 minutes: Section 3- Write a quick summary of the book part you just read.

10 minutes: Section 4- Draw a visualization from the book. Write a sentence explaining your visualization.

10 minutes: students reading silently

10 minutes: Section 5- Write 3 questions you've had about the book so far.

10 minutes: Section 6- Draw a picture and write a sentence about your book's setting.

I've done this a couple of times and I've been impressed with the results. I will try and figure out a "nonfiction reading marathon."

Classroom Tour

Reading Strategies and Skills Posters- Hollywood Themed

Front of the room (student book boxes)

Birthday Poster and Bucket Filler reminders

Writing Materials

Reading Mini Lesson Area

F.A.C.E.S. of a Reader Strategy Board

Classroom Library

Pop Into a Good Book!

More books...

Books, bulletin boards and workstation storage.

Guided Reading and Strategy Group Materials

Christmas Ornaments

Have you ever made these acrylic paint glass ornaments? They are truly adorable!

Materials:

1 glass ball per child

assortment of acrylic paint (Plaid from Walmart)

assortment of matching ribbon

ornament hooks

Tilt ball and pour paint into top allowing it to run to the bottom of the ball.

I have the students choose two colors and then I always add white.

So for the ornament pictured I poured in pink, white, purple, pink, white, purple, white.

Then the student covers up the opening with a paper towel and shakes it until it is completely covered in the inside. 

I turn it upside down in the tray (writing their class # next to it).

I let it drain and dry for 2-3 days.

Affix topper, tie on coordinating ribbon, wrap in tissue paper and send home!

I hope you understood all that!