Data, Data, Data!

So, one aspect of teaching that's FOREVER changing is the way that we teachers collect data in the classroom. It seems like the expectations put on teachers each year grows and grows. Our to-do list is forever long! The last couple of years I've tried multiple different strategies to collect reading/literacy data in my classroom. I've found one method that truly works for me!


Each year I start by digging out my trusty 3 ring binder. I bought numbered tabs from Staples to keep my data organized. I assign my kiddos numbers at the start of the year...so each number corresponds to one student in my classroom.

Behind each numbered tab I keep copies of reading and comprehension assessments, writing samples, or any other piece that will be useful during conferences. I then copy 3 of my reading data sheets (one  sheet each for the Fall, Winter, and Spring). I use these sheets during independent conferences. The post-it note section is where I keep sticky notes from guided reading, book clubs, or whole group observations.

 At our school we use the Fountas and Pinnell BAS reading assessment to determine reading level in students. For this reason part of our school-wide reading assessment includes keeping record of each student's independent reading level (what they can read and comprehend on their own) as well as their instructional reading level (what they can read and comprehend with the help of their teacher). So, I went ahead and included a reading scale for reference. I've also listed some independent reading behaviors that are expectations during my reader's workshop. Together, I talk with each student about the reading behaviors and whether they showing those behaviors during reader's workshop. At the top of this data collection tool I've listed some reading skills as strengths and goals. I highlight these objectives while listening to students read.


I've used this tool for the last 3 years and have found that it is great to reference during parent/teacher conferences as well as at problem solving meetings. I would LOVE to hear about the data collection tools you use in your classroom! Comment and share your ideas below! If you'd like a copy of this data tool to use in your classroom click here to download the pdf or click the data collection tool above! ENJOY! :)

Student Centered Reading Binders

Okay...so this summer one of my many goals has been to create a reading binder that fits my reader's workshop block like a glove! & I think I've done just that! Each year my kiddos bring a 3 ring binder to start the school year and I've found that I am often rushing to throw things together that we may or may not use throughout the year! I wanted a solid resource that was student centered...so BEHOLD, my reading binder was born!

So, I started by creating a SUPER cute binder cover that each student can decorate and make their own. As you can see, I chose to go with a little rainbow action! My reading binder has 5 literacy tabs, color coded that are just peeking out of the side of the binder. This was intended to help with easy use and organization for my kiddos. I went ahead and printed the binder tabs on card stock for durability, cut the circles out and glued them to each cover page.

The first tab of my reading binder is entitled "read to self." During my reading block this is where students are reading independently from books chosen from their book bins. This tab has several different tools that students may use during the school year. The first is a reading stamina bar graph. This is an activity that I do at the beginning of the year, where, as a class, we graph how long we can all read independently during read to self. This graph is a HUGE motivator for students. The rules are everyone MUST be in their reading spot, MUST be focused, and MUST be really reading. The kids love to watch the bars grow. The second is a rating system that students use to grade their reading behavior each day for read to self. You will see a calendar for each month. The rubric is below...a 4 means EXCELLENT reading behavior, while a 1 is could be better. The last part of this tab includes a "flag your thinking" reading strategy used in my classroom. Students use sticky notes and symbols to track their thinking as they read independently. The students really love this tool!

The second tab is called "My Reading Progress". This tab includes reading data collected by the students throughout the year. It includes a reading log and a reading goal page. Again, the goal page has a rubric for students to choose from. This will make a GREAT tool for one-on-one conferences!

Third, is a tab titled "My Mini Lessons". Do you find that you copy really awesome anchor charts for students to reference and then find those very charts in the recycle bin the next day? AH! This tab gives a home to all of those useful charts that you encourage students to reference during the year. I created a mini lesson handout table of contents.

This is perhaps my favorite section of the reading binder!! Behind the "Working with Words" tab is a student dictionary for letters A - Z. Each letter page has Dolch sight words for grades PreK- 3rd. The lines on each letter page allow students to add words throughout the year. My plan is to have students add spelling and sight words to this section weekly.

So, the last section is a tab reserved for reading groups. I've called it "Reading Groups and Book Clubs". I know, first hand, how different every teacher's reading block looks. For this reason I've only included a story review and map that can accompany any book. This year I am excited to try out book clubs, but wanted to keep a tab for guided reading...in case I experience any epic fails! :)

That pretty much sums up my new reading binder. I am SO excited to give this a try this year! I think my students are really going to enjoy the freedom that this binder offers. You can find this reading binder at my TPT store! I would love to hear about what others use for their reading and literacy binders...comment below!!

Don't Let Pigeon Eat the Pumpkin Pie!

Are your students as into the Pigeon books as my third graders?! If so they will love, LOVE the fall-inspired Pigeon craft I created and used in my classroom. First, I started by reading Don't Let Pigeon Ride the Bus, by Mo Willems. As a class we brainstormed ideas related to fall and autumn.

Our list included:

• Playing in/raking leaves
• Hunting
• Carving pumpkins
• Spending time with family
• A Thanksgiving feast
• Wearing warm clothes

Then, I encouraged my students to relate these fall-esque ideas to Pigeon. I shared with them my example...Don't Let Pigeon Eat the Pumpkin Pie.

I asked that students write on their "Don't Let Pigeon" half sheets before starting on their craft. Here are some of the ideas they came up with. 

I put all of the little cuties on the bulletin board outside of our classroom....and VOILA! Fall craft complete! 

Find this NEWLY UPDATED craft  in my TPT store! :)

That's just the way the Cookie Crumbles

How do you manage student behavior? Something new I've started this year, called smart cookies, really has my students motivated! I've created a document with a smart cookie template. Once I've printed the document I'll copy the page on multi-colored paper from Staples and cut out the cookies individually. They end up looking like this...

At  the beginning of the school year I gave these out like crazy for coming into the classroom quietly, quickly showing me that they were ready to learn, etc. I award them for many different reasons. When students earn a smart cookie they know to put their name on the back of the paper.

They then put them into the massive cookie jar! On Friday afternoon I pull anywhere from 10 to 12 cookies from the jar. The students' names that are pulled will get a piece of candy. See the gold smart cookie pictured above? I award the golden smart cookies for EXCELLENT behavior! In the case that I pull a golden smart cookie at the end of the week that student has the opportunity to pull from a prize box (filled with dollar store goodies..oooh yah!)

This approach to behavior management works well for my students! Because I don't always pull everyone's name from the jar I also have a 20 - 30 minute block of time set aside at the end of the day on Friday called "Fun Friday." This allows the well behaved kids a reward despite not being pulled from the cookie jar.

If you're interested in using this idea you can find it for free here. If you choose to use it please share your experiences and comment below!! Thanks!! :)

Dog Breath...Piu!!

What do we do when we notice that our students are struggling to understand an idea? Well we create a fun craftivity to make a memorable learning experience! That is the exact result of my latest creation!

I observed during writer's workshop that many of my students were failing to organize their writing using a beginning, middle, and end. Even their reading response retells were lacking organization. Right now my students are loving Dav Pilkey...mostly his Captain Underpants books I keep in my classroom library. I chose to use one of his picture books called Dog Breath...the kids got a kick out of it! All in all it's about a family's dog that cannot get rid of her dog breath. After reading it all together I decided that we would create a cute craft that went along with the message of the lesson.

I modeled for students how to write on the inside pages (check out the dog bowl and inside pages on my TPT store). I then wrote Hally Tosis (the name of the dog) on the front of the dog bowl. My third graders really enjoyed cutting and gluing the dog food on the bowl!

When everyone finished I filled up our empty classroom bulletin board. I love the way it turned out...a cute AND effective lesson...what a success!

Halloween on the Horizon!

Love, love Halloween! It's one of my favorite times of year...I'll admit it's madness, but I love it! This year I decided to include a fun, festive craft. Gritch the witch made an appearance in my classroom. The kids loved Margie Palatini's Piggie Pie. If you've not read the story...check it out! You won't regret it!

Anyways, as a class we read the story and talked about the recipe Gritch was using to make her pie. Then, we brainstormed different ingredients for spooky halloween food. The objective was to create a recipe that could go into Grtich's recipe book. Here is my class sample...

 Cat ear cupcakes...mmm' boy!

What I loved most about this craft and activity was that it really allowed students to explore their creativity!

I printed off a picture of Gritch to accompany our recipes..and voila! A page from Gritch's recipe book..done! I hung them in the entrance to my classroom for all to see!

This was such a quick, easy, and fun activity to do as a class. If you're looking for the recipe card you can find it here at my TPT store!

Happy crafting!

Classroom Design

I should start by introducing myself! My name is Molly Whetstone and I am a first year teacher at an urban school district in central Illinois! I teach third grade and could not be more in love with my job. The start of this school year has been crazy...especially since it's my first time putting everything altogether. I have to say that putting together my classroom has been one of my very favorite parts of the start of the new school year. Because I've had so much fun getting organized and decorating I thought I would take an opportunity to share some of my ideas! I hope you enjoy! :)

I decided on a colorful, but gender neutral color theme! I love the bright colors..they really allow for some creative thinking! Here are a couple pictures of my classroom library. The colorful pillow came from Gordmans...and they were relatively cheap I might add! The bins came from Big Lots as part of their "back to school" decor. I attached the library labels by laminating, hole punching, and running a ring through the label and the container...(I know how much of a pain stray library labels can be!!)

I am so fortunate to have many bulletin boards in my room. I love designing bulletin boards inside and outside of my classroom! My favorite is probably the bulletin board dedicated to our current anchor charts!

Aren't these huge google eyes adorable? As soon as I found them at Michaels I knew I had to use them somehow! :) So, so cute!

This bulletin board is reserved for student work! ...SUPER STAR student work! The kids love looking at their hard work in the classroom!

 This is how we keep track of our math workshop rotations!

I saw the idea of a move-able word wall on Pinterest. I can't wait to start using the word wall for word work activities!

Along with our math workshop rotations we practice the Daily 5 in reader's workshop using a similar schedule. I printed, cut, and laminated the labels. I hot glued magnets on the bag so that the labels can be switched out easily! The labels include (read to self, reading response, listening to reading, buddy reading, and word work). My students rotate through the rotations using the tables they sit at!

 My super talented father built me a book bin organizer! This was before the bins arrived. On top of the book bin organizer are our word work centers. I purchased the color coordinated bins at Dollar General. Below the counter are the students' math bags (each student has their own). They are held up by a shower curtain rod. Below the bags are our math center games!

...Finally! The book bins I ordered from really good stuff were on back order forever! The kids were oh so excited when they finally arrived.

I hope you've enjoyed the tour of my classroom! A lot of the design inspiration came from a classroom decor blog and shop. Check out Schoolgirl Style! Her classroom themes are amazing and at a reasonable price too!

Please, please borrow any ideas and comment with questions or suggestions! :)

The Sunny Side