Musical Monday: Singin' 'Bout the Strategies!

If you’ve ever observed in my classroom, you know that I can and do put anything to a tune to help with my lessons.  I have many, many favorites and will share one or two each Monday.

Today I’m going to share a series of songs I’m MOST proud of…the reading strategy songs.  I hit the mother load when I began Googling to find some songs about reading because I wanted to put together an end-of-year program for my parents for the spring.  I found nothing.  Then more nothing.  Then…jackpot!! I came across THIS website which had a bunch.  YOU HAVE GOT TO GO TO THAT SITE! Now!!

My students were doing so well with the comprehension strategies after learning these songs that I ended up creating a Christmas-themed program instead of waiting until spring!  I called it “Season’s Readings” and invited parents, administration, and our 4^th grade reading buddies that come read with us on Fridays.  They wore jeans, white shirts, and Santa hats.  I had each student memorize one short line to help explain the strategies in between each song.  It turned out A-DORABLE! 

And even though it’s not the Christmas season, I’m spreading a little holiday cheer by giving you the two additional songs I wrote to supplement what was missing from the website…AND if you comment with your e-mail address I'll e-mail you the script I typed up for my class in addition to the PowerPoint I created for our program!

I hope you enjoy!  Let me know if you choose to use this in your classroom.  It’d make my day!

Here are the songs that I added to the ones from the site:

Predictions

(to the tune of “Jingle Bells”)

When you read a book

And you find a certain clue

If you use your brain

You’ll know just what to do

Good readers will predict

Just what will happen next

It makes you want to read some more

And helps you get the text

(Chorus)

Oh! Let’s predict! Let’s predict!

What will happen next?

Look into the crystal ball and give it your best guess.

Let’s predict! Let’s predict!

What will happen next?

Look into the crystal ball and give it your best guess.

Yes!

I Can Read!

(to the tune of “Let it Snow”)

Oh when I was in kindergarten

My reading was just startin’

But now I’ve got what I need

I can read, I can read, I can read!

When I open a brand new book

I can’t wait to just dive right on in

And now when I take a look

I know strategies to begin!

Oh at first reading was quite frightful

But at last, it’s so delightful

‘Cause I’ve got the tools I need

I can read, I can read, I can read.

(Slow)

I can read…..I can read….I can READ!

Under Construction

So, I have this idea that I want to try out next year.  It's still "under construction," if you will, but I think it should turn out cute!  Here's the general idea:

Get 3 or 4 of the paper pockets (like the kind inside library books) found at the local teacher supply store, like this and laminate them.

Glue or staple them to a long laminated strip of paper, hanging down, to resemble a "tool belt."

 Then, glue laminated clip art like THESE to tongue depressor sticks.  These will be the various "tools" (strategies) I equip my students with and we'll add one tool to our belts every couple of days after a mini-lesson!  Of course, these strategies are nothing new...I'm just trying to present them in a new way!  I'm excited to try it!  I think I'm going to create a whole construction "unit" where I make some lessons/games about constructing/deconstructing numbers (expanded notation, place value, etc.) and of course constructing new words with phonetic patterns/onset and rimes.

Anyway, just wanted to share the idea even though it is under construction itself.  Anyone have any good "construction" themed activities or ideas to improve upon my strategy tool belt?  I'd love to hear it!