11 July 2012

Reader's Notebook Organization


When students come to my table for reading, I like everything neat, organized and easily accessible.  Saves me and them  a lot of time that otherwise would be lost to noneducational activities.  You know the kind:  where is that?  where did I put that the last time, I know I've seen that around here somewhere, etc...  :)  So I try to keep everything I can in these notebooks.  I can just grab the basket and hand them out.  

I like to keep different colors for different groups.


Here is what I have inside my notebooks.  What I put inside depends on what level the students are reading at and what they are ready for. 


I like to keep pointers in my notebooks as well as a pencil pouch.  For my younger students, we keep our ABC cards in there.    For the older students, see the very first picture at the top of this post, we keep sight word cards. 


I like to have an ABC chart or consonant cluster chart in the notebooks too.  We take just a minute to read these.  They are good to leave out when the students are reading to refer to if they have a problem with how letters should sound.

 We do a lot of phonemic awareness and use Elkonin boxes sometimes for this.  I like to keep them in plastic sleeves.

Do you keep Reader's Notebooks?  What do you keep in your notebooks?

26 comments:

  1. Love this idea. I think I'll be implementing this next year for sure. My wheels are spinning.
    Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten

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  2. Hi! I'm beginning the journey as a Reading Specialist this year and was browsing for other specialists. Love your idea for reading notebooks!

    The Dalton Gang

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  3. This is a wonderful idea. I never thought about a reader's notebook before this post. I am definitely implementing this in my classroom next year. Thanks for sharing!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  4. I don't have reader's notebooks, but I can see how helpful they would be. You're so very organized! (Love elkonin boxes!)
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  5. I like the idea of using the pencil pouch in the notebook. I keep my little cards in a basket nearby, but htat would make them more convenient.
    Erica
    Sprinkles to Kindergarten
    erica_crowder0612@yahoo.com

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  6. Great ideas!! I use notebook's similar to yours for my lowest groups. Having a reading tracker, blends list etc. (and my kiddos knowing where it is in their folder and how to use it)seems to help them alot more. My other groups use a composition book.
    Danielle
    Twirlybird Teaching

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  7. I have a notebook but not nearly as good as yours:)

    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers

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  8. Kerri, I hope you find success with the Reader's Notebook. I know it works for me!

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  9. Thanks Melissa! Good luck with being a reading specialist! I think you will find it challenging, but very rewarding. :)

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  10. Lisa R., good luck with the Reader's Notebook! I think you will find it works well.

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  11. Thanks Tammy! You know I like to be organized! :)

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  12. Erica, the pencil pouch just makes it quick and neat for getting out whatever supply they need. :)

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  13. Danielle, we think alike! I have my first grade through fifth grade use spiral notebooks for reading journals. Gotta get those great thoughts down on paper!

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  14. Thanks Barbara! The notebooks are always evolving depending on their needs or new ideas that I get. :)

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  15. These are great! Its always great to peek into another person's classroom and see how they are doing things. I'm new to your blog but you have so many practical ideas for teachers, I'll be back... ;)

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  16. Jackie, thank you so much! I love that about blogs that we can see other's classrooms!

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  17. I was just wondering where you got your ABC and consonant charts from! Thanks!

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  18. I believe those particular charts came from Fountas and Pinnell's When Readers Struggle: Teaching That Works. It is a fabulous resource!

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  19. I use my Reader's Notebooks for independent reading.I love the idea of adding a section for reading groups. They include a genre chart and a reading log in the front so they can record what genre the book is and the title. Then I have 2 other sections:
    Reading response: Where they respond to their reading usualy with sticky notes and can be anything from retelling the b,m,e to connections.
    Mini-Lessons:This is where they keep things we do together during lessons and other papers that they are given to remind or help them with a skill.
    Thanks for the additional idea!

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  20. Anonymous, I like that idea of adding in a genre chart. That is a good thing to add! Thank you for coming by!

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  21. Hey, I have notebooks for all of my groups also. I have kindergarten through 5th grade. I even also use different colors for each grade level. LOL!
    I am constantly searching for new ideas for my students. Love you stuff!

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  22. That's a great idea, Dee, to use different colors for the different grade levels! Thank you for sharing that and for coming by to join in the conversation. :)

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  23. I am not a school teacher but I have 2 sons. Education is important to me. I think this is a great idea. My sons are 4 and 10, prek and 5th grade. I'm going to try this method with them. Thank you.

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  24. MzAudacious, I love hearing that education is so important to you for your boys! I hope the reader's notebook helps you!

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  25. HI Lori. Love your idea of reading notebook. It definitely keeps things organized. I wanted to know where did you get your mini pointers. Thanks.

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  26. Thanks Overachiever! I think those linking charts are from the book When Readers Struggle: Teaching That Works by Fountas and Pinnell. Thank you for coming by!

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