Using Read Theory with 3rd Grade

I've posted about Read Theory before, but I have been using it for about 2 months with my 3rd graders and it's been a great tool for assessing and tracking their reading. Best of all, the students love reading and can't wait to take their quizzes! 

The class progress report gives you an overview of how each student is doing. The students enjoy seeing the graph that tracks their Knowledge Points.

  Student reports give you an overview of how they are doing. You can also print off a report to share with parents. Each student is assigned a level once they reach a certain amount of Knowledge Points. You can also see the grade level they are currently reading at and even click on one of the quizzes and see what their answers were.

You are able to print off paper assessments by grade level, but you are limited to the amount you can print off.

If you want to know more about Read Theory, you can check out their FAQ page. It gives you more information about what the website offers and how to use the information.

As a reading teacher, I highly recommend Read Theory. It's a great FREE resource that gives you data and tracks reading!

Using Word Rods with 2nd Grade

Today I used the word rods with my 2nd grade groups. They loved using them! I had them make words with ending blends and then write the words on a dry erase board.

Word Rods

I was trying to find a creative way for word building and I created these word rods from pool noodles, plunger handles, dry erase tape, and my husband's 3D printer (totally optional).

The rods come from small plungers I got on NAEIR. If you aren't familiar with NAEIR, go here and check them out! 

I screwed off the plunger part. The rods held the pool noodles perfectly. My husband made end pieces for the noodles, which makes for easy turning. This isn't necessary but it is nice to have. If you have a 3D printer, you can access the file here.

I used dry erase tape to write the letters with Sharpie and it comes off very easily with dry erase board cleaner. Each piece is almost 2 inches long. I used one color for vowels and another for consonants. I cut the dry erase tape in about 1 inch pieces and I could fit 3 of them on one pool noodle piece. The tape fits really well to the pool noodle and won't come off. 

Watch this video to see how they work! 

Word Rods Video

DIY Bucket Seats

Last year I was looking for some alternative seating options for my classroom. I thought about the crate seats but then I saw a way to make seats out of painter's buckets. Best of all, they are cheap to make! Each seat cost about $5.

To make them, you'll need the following:

• buckets
• lids
• foam
• vinyl or fabric ( I prefer vinyl)
• duct tape (optional)

 I tried sanding and painting the buckets, but after the end of the school year, most of the paint chipped off.  This year I decided to try duct tape. It was fairly easy to put on. I got two buckets covers with one roll.

 

For the seat part, I cut the vinyl circle larger than the lid and cut slits around it. I glued smaller foam circles to the top and then covered it with the vinyl. I attached the fabric by folding over the vinyl slits and pushing them into the rim of the lid and securing with rope.  You can hot glue the rope to keep it in place, however I don't so I can switch out the vinyl or foam if I need to.

 

The buckets themselves hold up very well. The lids were are cracked by the end of the year, so all I need to do was replace the lids and foam.

 

The bucket seats are strong enough for adults to sit in. For the best results, turn the bucket upside down and have the lid on the bottom. I attached the lid to the bucket with wall putty (to hang up pictures) and it stays on pretty well!

 

My students love the bucket seats! They are a little short for desks but they don't seem to mind.