Anchor Chart Linky Party

I am definitely a newbie to anchor charts.  I've found so many good anchor chart ideas on Pinterest and other blogs, but I definitely feel new to creating my own anchor charts.  As a resource teacher I didn't use chart paper as freely and meaningfully as I do now.  That wasn't because I was a resource teacher...it was because I was in a daze from literally stumbling into teaching. 


But Ms. M. at Ms. M's Blog has thrown an anchor chart linky party.  I think this is a great linky party!  I will be able to steal put to use so many wonderful ideas from fellow bloggers!  ;) 


However, I do feel the need to contribute.  So, I looked around my classroom and I tried to find something that was aesthetically pleasing and that was 100% my idea.  I looked hard...I found NADA.


So, I'm partaking of this linky party with some hesitation.  The item I'm most proud of right now in my room isn't technically a chart.  But it is located on a pocket chart...which is close enough for me!


After scouring the internet, blogs and Pinterest I really hadn't found a Daily 5 management tool that could help both my students and me know what was going on during guided reading.  I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to this search, but nothing seemed right for my class and our needs.


In comes the pocket chart...see below.

On the left hand side are the groups, they are color-coded.  Station rotations read from left to right.


I have a card for:

• Read to Self
• Read to Someone
• Listen to Reading
• Work on Writing
• Word Work
• Puss In Boots - kids know that means they meet with me, since I'm the cat lady.
• Underdog - kids know that means they meet with my assistant, since she has dogs.

(My colleague tied hers to her university theme.)



This pocket chart has revolutionized my guided reading/daily 5 block.  While previously I struggled to find a clear way of communicating the rotations, now my students know what group they're in and know where they need to go without ever asking me!  With a quick glance I know where students should be and who I need to meet with. 


One of my most favorite co-workers (and best teachers I know!) has stolen used this idea and had so much success - she feels much more able to manage a block of time that was previously hard to manage/wrap one's head around.  When being observed by my school principal she was very impressed with this visual tool as it helped every single person in the classroom - including her - know with ease what was going on.


I switch the cards around each day, but nothing too drastic.  Generally, the slots with me and my assistant do not change much throughout the week, rather their Daily 5 rotation changes.  I have a general daily schedule that I use to help guide me each day...but it becomes very second-nature. 


This is my contribution to the Anchor Chart Linky Party – I hope it is as helpful to someone else as it has been to me!


Cheers,
Mrs. Castro