Give me the Finger!

Hey friends! I am planning to use a teamwork theme for my third graders this year!! I have lots of little projects going on and through my head as I plan to create a stimulating and organized classroom. I have these wonderful foam fingers that I am planning on hanging over my student tables (groups of desks). I usually have 6 groups of 4 (or some with 5 depending on how many students I end up with!). I can't wait to hang these adorable fingers. They are going to add so much color to my room. I know I am going to put big numbers on each one (1-6) but I am not sure what else I would like to do. After spending so much time painting them (it took a couple of coats), I want to get them just right! Any suggestions???

Guided Reading

Hey friends! I am very excited to be returning to the classroom to teach third grade after two FABULOUS years as an instructional coach. I have big plans to do some major overhauling of my classroom, schedule, reading program, EVERYTHING!!! I can't wait to dive in with some of the great things I have learned during my coaching days.

I have big plans to delve into my two feet tall stack of professional books this summer. I know I am biting off more than I can chew- especially since our summers seem to shrink more and more each year like a wool sweater that we just keep tossing into the dryer!! I have so much to do now that I will be teaching in the fall. I feel like I am starting over again. I will have to drag my classroom out of the garage and basement and set up shop all one more time!! It almost feels like I am a first year teacher again- the butterflies are already starting to flutter!!

Currently I am reading Guided Reading in Grades 3-6 by Mary Schulman. I am almost finished!! It has some great information in it and resources to use with my groups but I am looking for more! Do you have any book suggestions for me? How do you do Guided Reading in your classroom?