Genre Studies Series {Post #1: The SetUp}




Other Posts in This Series:


Hi friends!  I am SO excited about this series.  Teaching reading through genre studies truly is a passion of mine!  I couldn't imagine teaching reading any other way and I hope that you'll find some ideas in this series that will work in your classroom.

Today, I'm just going to give you an overview of how reading (or ELA as a whole) is set up in my day.

Here's a peek at a recent classroom schedule of mine.


Unfortunately, we usually don't have a great big block of instructional time in the mornings, which would be ideal.  We usually have our related arts in there at some point, breaking up our instructional time.  Let's just take a peek at my ELA times and I'll give you an overview of what goes on in each of those blocks.  I really do try to squeeze in as much learning as possible! 

This is the block for my genre studies.  As I stated, I don't do traditional guided reading.  I know there is a big trend to Daily 5...and trust me, I tried it.  It just didn't work for me.  I know lots of teachers have great success with it, though.  To me, it just felt like I didn't have enough time for purposeful instruction and I think 7-year olds still need lots of that!  I also felt like students who weren't meeting with me were not always engaged in the way I wanted them to be...and that I couldn't always engage with them at times that I feel is important.

I'm not a huge fan of "ELA center time" (drop the tomatoes)!!  I do use centers here and there (and will share how I do that at the end of this series) but not on a daily basis.  I found that students, again, were not spending their time as engaged as I would have liked during centers.  Sure, I can scan my room and they LOOK like they're on task and engaged, but when I would actually see the work produced, I would cringe.  "That's all they accomplished in this time??"  Sure, I could hold them accountable with "recording pages" but let's face it, that's just one more thing that I don't have time to collect and check for work that wasn't as meaningful and purposeful as I wanted.

So, I use more of a reading workshop approach during this time.  My block is usually about 45 minutes.  These minutes will look vastly different depending on which genre we are studying, but an ideal reading block would go something like this -

10-20 minutes {Mini Lesson} - I am teaching a characteristic of the genre, reading strategy, or skill (often by using a picture book)

15-30 minutes {Application} - Students apply the concept taught during the mini-lesson (usually using books on their own independent reading levels or topics of interest)

5-15 minutes {Sharing} - Students respond or share about their reading and learning

As I go through this series, you'll be able to see a little more how this looks during each of the different genre studies.


I'm a strong believer in writing as a separate block at this age.  Students at this level need so much modeling and guidance to become strong writers.  I also follow the Writing Workshop model, so this block would be structured much like my reading block - with a mini-lesson, application, and sharing.

Many teachers will skip this part of the day if time is tight.  Don't do it!!!  This is my absolute FAVORITE part of every day.  Read-Aloud is important for many different reasons.

1) It lets students hear a model of fluent reading with expression.  (You will see them begin to mimic this!!)

2) It exposes students to many different genres or authors.

3) It's a great time to point out authors' crafts - things the author does that they could also do in their writing!

4) It sparks ideas and imagination.  Students will often write sequels to stories or use characters in a different setting, etc!

5) It creates a bond - a sense of classroom community.  It's something special that you're sharing together and looking forward to each day!

6) It creates enthusiasm for reading!  I can't tell you how many times my students run to the library to check out the book we're reading or have their parents go buy it for them so they can follow along with the story....or read ahead!! <3

My read-aloud block is usually squeezed into an "odd" 15-minute block - such as between recess and lunch, or right after related arts, or at the end of the day.  It doesn't matter when you squeeze it in, just DON'T leave it out!!

I like to have a plan for my read-aloud time, so I do a rough sketch of it at the top of my planning calendar for the year.  My basic plan is to read 1-2 chapter books per month and use the remaining days in the month to read books by a specific author as an "author study."  You can find my author study posters packs #1 and #2 here for download.


My school uses AR (Accelerated Reader). I know it has its haters out there, but I actually like it.  I don't, however, dwell on it.  Of course we want students to read for intrinsic reasons and many of mine do.  That's wonderful - the goal actually.  So, I don't stress over if they are earning points or not.  If they're reading, I'm a HAPPY teacher!  But, some students at this age are not to that point.  They hate (or at least, don't love) reading....yet.  But, you know what they do love?  Using the computer, earning points, and being rewarded.  If those things help us reach the end goal of reading more, then you better believe I'll use it!  There's no way a student who doesn't love reading will ever learn to love reading without actually READING!  I have to get them reading in order to make them fall in love with it!

During this block, my students are reading books that they choose!  I do encourage them to read books on their levels, but will let them read other books if it's something they really want to love. My classroom library is organized by genres/authors/topics but each book within those baskets are also labeled with their levels.

During this time, I conference with my students DAILY!  They are short, brief conferences, but they tell me so much and they let my students know that I'm keeping track of their reading.  I can usually get through about half of my class per day.  I call students up with their reading folders and record any recent tests that they've taken on AR.  If they scored 80% or higher, I record it in their folders (they have certain requirements to meet that will let them move on up to the next level before we STAR test again).  I will also talk with them about the books they've recently read, types of books they're choosing, etc.  This is another favorite part of my day.  It lets me see a glimpse of them as a reader (when they're on their own).  It's during this time I can set little reading goals or challenges with individual students. <3


This is when I teach spelling patterns and grammar.  Each week we'll have a spelling pattern focus (you can read more about my spelling unit here) and one grammar skill focus (such as nouns, contractions, etc).  Monday is completely focused on spelling - pretest/word sorts, etc.  After that introduction, each day will just have a few minutes of spelling practice time with the other time spent on the grammar skill of the week.  I know many teachers teach this during writing, but I like to spend writing on ideas/writing genres.  While I do hit on grammar skills as I model writing, I like to initially teach it separate from my writing block and then just reinforce there.


I hope that gives you an overview of my ELA time.  I'll be back in a few days to post about my first reading unit - Strategies.  Then, I'll blog through all of my genres.  At the end of this series, I'm thinking about using Periscope (get the app!) to broadcast live with you to answer any questions you have about this series!  You can find me on Periscope at @teachingmaddeness



23 comments

  1. Yeah! The genre series has started! I hear you on the Daily 5...I love the whole idea and have used it my own way over the last few years but never truly been 100% happy with it for the exact reasons you stated. Can't wait for the next post.

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  2. I feel the same way about the Daily 5, I have tried that and other methods in my class and a combination of them all and never been 100% happy with any of them. I am new to the blogging world (just started with social media and working on my 1st blog post) but I am really looking forward to your next posts in this series!

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    1. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone, Christy! Welcome to the world of blogging! :)

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  3. What a great post! I agree with you about centers. I am never satisfied with the work produced, let alone the learning. ✰Becca
    Faith Filled Teaching

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    1. Thanks, Becca! I knew I couldn't be alone in that! :)

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  4. Thank you for such an informative post! I have been struggling with trying to make Daily 5, or even 3 work in my classroom, so it's very refreshing to hear how others have nixed the idea and moved on! I can't wait to hear more from you!

    Teaching Special Kids

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    1. It's all about finding what works for YOU, right? Every new "trend" isn't going to work for everyone. Do you! :)

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  5. Hi Amanda,
    I am SO excited to see the start of this series. You kindly helped me figure out a "curriculum map" (complete with helpful links) and now you are putting the icing on the cake with this very valuable information. Thank-you. Marsha ivanym49@gmail.com

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    1. You are so sweet, Marsha! I'm thrilled to hear I was able to help a fellow teacher! :)

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  6. I absolutely agree with you about a daily read aloud. It is the first item I want to scrap if the day is running late, but it is probably one of the most important tools I have. We often don't have time for the important because of the urgent (Hello, mysterious vomit on the classroom carpet. Goodbye, reading time.).

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    1. Right?! But, it's such a powerful block of time!

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  7. I really enjoyed this post. I can't agree with you more about read alouds. I am back in 3rd grade this year and one thing I want to do this summer is make sure I plan out my read alouds for the year!

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    1. Yes! Do it! It helps so much to have a flexible plan in place. :)

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  8. YAY! DEFINITELY using your info to guide my "plan" for this year. It's only my 2nd year teaching, and I'm "going against the grain" at my school a little bit, so it's a little challenging. You are just taking the words right out of my mouth with the way you teach. So excited! Thanks SO much!!

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    1. I LOVE it, Haley!! Go YOU! You will not regret doing what you know is best! :)

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  9. Amanda, I'm adding to my last comment. haha I am trying to take your ideas and run with them, but I have to hurry. Lol! We start preplanning 1 week from now. I'm not expecting you to have time to work constantly on your genre series, but if you could even give me a super quick overview of your plan for teaching strategies, I would be SO grateful (wanting to share with my coworkers as well). I have my long range plans pretty much finished thanks to the one you shared! I am so excited to have found your blog! My email is haley.arnold@appling.k12.ga.us. Thanks!!

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    1. I've been out of town this week (and will be this weekend) so I've only written one post this week, but I hope to speed up this process with at least two posts per week starting next week! I hope the strategies post from yesterday answered most of your questions! If not, feel free to email me. :)

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    2. Yes..perfect! Thanks so much :)

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  10. Hello Amanda! I agree with you about the Daily 5. I'm so concerned with the lack of engagement going on around the room, that I don't pay attention to the small group right in front of me! If I don't meet with small groups I'm "stuck" with a whole collection of leveled readers. Any ideas on how I can use these? I know you don't use a basal, but you might have a suggestion. Thank you!! :)

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  11. I am SO impressed with your blog. It's everything I believe in and simply not respected much in my district. However, I have an amazing principal that lets me do what I believe in. I just would like to know some of your favorite read alouds.that you LOVE!!! I like to read new ones all the time so I would appreciate at least your top 5.
    Thanks so much!

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  12. Great post Amanda! I look forward to reading the rest of this series!

    :) Shelley

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  13. Hi Amanda,

    I'm wondering if you have any suggestions on chapter books you read every year to your second graders. Do you read the same ones every year? Or do you change it every year based on your class? I also teach second grade, and I am looking for a list of great chapter books to read aloud to my class.

    Thanks,

    Sarah

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    1. I just did a post on my Top 10 Read Alouds! Also, if you look at my planning calendar post, my flexible read-alouds are listed at the top of my calendar. :)

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