Ok...so this is two posts in one day, but it's a great day to be linking up and this one is too hard not to weigh in on!
I love Guided Reading with the 4th and 5th grades because you are helping your kids become fluent and MATURE readers, so this tends to take on a Literature Circle feel.
Another opportunity to work with this age of students is in the form of "Anchor Texts." Using Anchor Texts with the whole group helps the teacher to better model what goes on inside a fluent and mature reader's head as they read more complex/sophisticated texts.
This year my teaching partner, the AMAZING LINDA, and I chose Jerry Spinelli's book, Maniac Magee, as our Anchor Text with our fourthies and were totally floored by how our kiddos responded to this text!
In addition to being a Newberry Award winner, Maniac Magee is also chock full o' great similes and metaphors. Spinelli really has a way with words and many of our kiddos try to emulate his style in Writer's Workshop. Needless to say, Linda and I get a ton of bang for the buck with this book!
In order to do Anchor Texts well with our kids, we purchase each student his/her own copy of the book. Not only does the kid own the book, but he/she is encouraged to make "tracks in the snow" by underlining text that appeals to them and making notes in the margins. Our kids get really involved in reading the book and go much deeper than we ever thought possible.
How does this translate over to Guided Reading? Well...we don't allow our kids to write in the copies of the book, but we do encourage them to take those "tracks in the snow" over to their books by making notes on sticky notes and putting them in the book. The kids love this and stay super-engaged during the process.
I'd love to hear how you use Maniac Magee in your classrooms! Drop me a line and let me know!
Have a Wonderful Workshop Wednesday!
Nikki
I love Maniac Magee, but our 5th grade has claims on it. so glad your kids enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHunter's Tales from Teaching
Awww shucks! I hate it when other grade levels lay claim to really terrific literature. Hopefully you have plenty of other fun books to share with your kiddos!
DeleteThat is great that you buy each student their own copy so they can mark it up with their thinking - what a great way to teach!
ReplyDeleteI wrote a Donors Choose grant the first time I did this. I've gotten more creative since then. You know how Scholastic offers $1.00 books? This is an AWESOME resource to pick up books that can be given to your whole class. I'd highly recommend giving this a try!
DeleteI just picked this one up at a second hand store this past weekend! YAY! I'm so happy to see a post about it. :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBrandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners
You'll have to let me know what you think. Maniac Magee is a great book that begs to be talked about! Have fun and read on!
DeleteManiac Magee is a great book. I really like Jerry Spinelli for this age group!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is the first in which I've read about anchor texts. My school purchased a bunch of books and labeled them anchor texts, but I'm not sure what makes a book an anchor text. Is an anchor text different from a read aloud?
Sarah
MissKinBK
Hey Sarah! An anchor text is kind of like a read aloud, except that each student is also holding a copy of the book and is following along. The teacher reads aloud and stops frequently, grabbing teaching points and sharing with the students. For instance, I often stop and grab figurative language, similes, metaphors, idioms, etc. During the anchor text reading, I also stop and do "think alouds" with my kids, letting them in on what I am thinking as I'm reading. I also will figure out vocabulary in context and we'll talk about and share strategies they can use in their own reading. After we've read a chapter in the book, I'll send kids into Readers' Workshop to practice what we've just learned about when working in the anchor text. A really great resource is Leslie Blauman's book, The Inside Guide to the Reading-Writing Classroom, Grades 3-6: Strategies for Extraordinary Teaching. I can't rave about this book enough. Let me know what you think!
DeleteOh man- I haven't thought about Maniac Magee in forever! Thanks for the reminder, and thanks for linking up! :)
ReplyDeleteJivey
ideas by jivey
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Thanks for putting this one out there Jivey! This was a fun link up!
DeleteAnother book that I've heard a lot about but never read. It's going on my list. I am finding so many new blogs to follow on this linky party. I thought I was following everyone out there already! Yay! Thanks for sharing with your newest follower, Heather
ReplyDeleteThanks for following Heather! I look forward to checking your blog out too!
DeleteI love Jerry Spinell! I haven't seen this book though, so another one to add to my list!!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Amanda
Collaboration Cuties
You want to read this one Amanda! Racial tension, homelessness, finding a place to belong...all big ideas addressed in this one book. What's not to love?
DeleteI might have to check this one out. I was actually turned off of Spinelli after reading Star Girl, but perhaps he deserves another chance!
ReplyDelete:) Erin
I'm Lovin Lit
Hey Erin! Don't let Star Girl be the baseline for Spinelli. (I personally don't think it is one of his better pieces!) Maniac Magee feels a little more "Spinelli-ish"...kind of a sandlot book that probably has small autobiographical tidbits from his own life. Maniac Magee is actually a child who is facing homelessness. He's resourceful and scrappy and lots of fun. I personally think Spinelli does a better job with boys as his main characters. Give Maniac a try...I think you'll love him!
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