Saturday, August 16, 2014

The "SECRETS" to Guided Reading 101

The New SECRET STORIES® Guided Reader Series- In the Fall

SECRET STORIES® READER- In the Fall
I'm so excited about this that I couldn't wait to share it! 

I sometimes feel like a broken record when I say that the SECRET STORIES® is not a program, but easily accessible, reading and writing tools to be used throughout the instructional day, and across all content areas. In a nutshell, the Secrets™ simply provide learners with logical explanations where otherwise there would be none!

That said, it's rare that I create something specifically for their use, since pretty much anything kids can read or write will work just fine!  

However, there are times when shining a spotlight on specific skills, or groups of related skills can be extremely helpful- especially for targeted reinforcement and assessment-  and there's no better time or place to do this than in small, guided groups! 

With the help of some amazing teachers from Stonewall Elementary in Virginia,  I'm releasing a new series of SECRET STORIES® Guided Readers with highlighted SECRET STORIES® sound patterns!  

The SECRET STORIES® are in RED and OUTLAW WORDS are in prison-garb' font!                                             
In addition to the targeted phonics Secrets™, the Outlaw Words words are also identified within the text and printed in "prison-garb" font!

The outlaw words are the "SECRET STORIES®-equivalent" of traditional sight words, with the only difference being that they can't be sounded-out! And so they must go to Jail! (Word Jail, that is!)

The Word Jail is similar to a typical Word Wall, except that it houses only the worst rule-breaking offenders!  We put these 'worst-of-the-worst' words in Word Jail so that we can "remember what they so that they don't get by us again" when we're reading or writing!

For more details on how to create a Word Jail for Outlaw Words captured in your classroom,  check out the series about them on my VLOG, or click below to watch the video below!

Each reader includes three different version of the story: a highlighted color version, a black and white 'easy-print' version, and a teacher copy- which has all Secrets™ highlighted (not just those targeted) for quick and easy visual reference when introducing new Secrets™and reinforcing older ones during guided group time.

Notice the "Mommy e" in PINK, as well as the vowel that she's telling to "say its name!" 
This first reader, In the Fall, will be followed by additional readers to be posted by the end of this week, so stay tuned!  

Okay, so back on track.... While it is critical that learners are equipped with the reading and writing tools they need to "crack the codes" in text, it's equally important to realize that the Secrets™ are simply the "keys" that unlock the door to world of reading and writing. 

Making meaning is the true goal of the game!
We read and write for a purpose... and that purpose is not to accurately decode words on a page! While learners do need to know the Secrets™ to gain easy and early access to text, what develops them into fluent  readers and writers is what happens after that!  

Teachers spend so much time trying to teach kids HOW to read, that often there's not enough time left over for thinking about WHAT they're reading... which pretty much defeats the purpose of WHY we read in the first place!

Below is an example of Deanna Jump's Guided Reading 101 (from my guest post on her blog) with  some key SECRET STORIES® posters to show how easy it is to help kids sound out words with those tricky letter and phonics sounds....even in Kinder! Download the free poster SECRET™ phonics poster sample set and see for yourself!



Click here to download the FREE Secret Stories® sampling set!
Until Next Time,
Click for the previous SECRET SESSIONS post!
PS  And don't forget to download the FREE Common Core Science Poster Sets for PreK-3rd! 

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Monday, August 4, 2014

Social Studies Standards Posters for ANY State!


Common Core Social Studies Posters for PreK-3rd Grade (w/link to FREE made-to-match Science Posters!)

Cutest EVER Common Core Social Studies Standard Posters(made to match the FREE Science Poster Sets!)

FREE Common Core Science Posters for PreK-3rd Grade

This post is going to be short, but sweet!I just wanted to be sure and let everyone know that I have posted preview sets for the Common Core Social Studies Standards Poster Sets that match the FREE Science Standard Poster Sets already posted!

Although still in preview-stage, I have posted them for sale now so that you will be able to take advantage of the TpT "Back-to-School" Sale! The completed sets will not be uploaded until the end of this week.

What's so neat about these sets is that they include an extra "FLEX-SET" of posters embedded with the same graphic templates, but without any text, allowing for easy add-ons of additional state-specific standards or re-wordings, as desired! (for more specifics on this, see product description)

The exact standards addressed for each grade level is listed in each product description and will be worded in the "WE CAN" format.

Below are the grade level sets available, each with links to the matching FREE Science Standard Sets listed in the product description.


PreK/Kindergarten

Common Core Social Studies Posters for PreK-3rd Grade (w/link to FREE made-to-match Science Posters!)

First Grade

Common Core Social Studies Posters for PreK-3rd Grade (w/link to FREE made-to-match Science Posters!)

FREE Common Core Science Posters for PreK-3rd Grade

Second Grade

Common Core Social Studies Posters for PreK-3rd Grade (w/link to FREE made-to-match Science Posters!)
SECOND GRADE Social Studies Standard Posters 

FREE Common Core Science Posters for PreK-3rd Grade

Third Grade


Common Core Social Studies Posters for PreK-3rd Grade (w/link to FREE made-to-match Science Posters!)


FREE Common Core Science Posters for PreK-3rd Grade

And don't forget to download the FREE PreK-3rd Common Core Literacy Posters too! 
(Math combo & Essential Questions Posters are also available! Just follow the links to view.)
FREE Secret Stories® Phonics Common Core Literacy Posters for PreK-3rd Grade

FREE Secret Stories® Phonics Common Core Literacy Posters for PreK-3rd Grade
FREE Common Core LIteracy Posters for PreK-3rd w/ Secret Stories® Phonics Graphic-Supports

Hope you Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
Katie Garner :-)

And if you don't already have the Secrets, but would like to try sharing them with your students, you can download this mini-sampler poster pack FREE! 
FREE Secret Stories®  Phonics Mini-Poster Sample Pack
FREE Secret Stories® Phonics Mini-Poster Pack
Until Next Time,
Katie :-)

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Secret Stories® Makes Phonics Make SENSE!
FREE Secret Stories® Phonics Mini-Poster Sample Anchors
Try a "taste" of the Secrets with YOUR class 
and see the difference they make!
Click to Download the FREE Secret Stories® Mini-Sample Poster Pack!

For a list of upcoming conferences, or for information on scheduling a school or district professional development workshop, click here. 

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