after lunch recess

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : August : 26

after lunch recess
By Cathy-Dee

I have the same type of schedule - although our day goes to 3:24 p.m.

I have the first 30 minutes blocked off as a reading time - they read for the first 15 minutes - silent reading or looking at books - then I read for
the last 15 minutes. This has always worked well, but it takes about 2 weeks to really get them to the point where they come in and sit down with a book.
I have found the most important aspect is that I need to be in the room right away - just before the bell rings so that they come in and settle down quickly.
I have sticker charts and use them as well - I sit at my desk as they

come in and have a notepad on my desk. I jot down the names of those who come in and do what is expected and then they get a sticker on their chart (10 stickers they get a trip to the prize box). So this works well, especially when they see me take out my pen and notepad.

You may also want to try the lights off, quiet music for the first 5-10 minutes, and then begin the reading just to get them settled even more quickly.