Teacher "Must-Have" Items for Guided Reading: Five for Friday & Blogging Challenge Day 18

This morning, I'm linking up with Michelle over at Bigtime Literacy for her Blogging Challenge, as well as Doodle Bugs' Five for Friday, to tell you about my top 5 "must-have" items I use with my RtI groups for back to school (and all year long).  

First: Post-It Note Chart Paper!  Both unlined and lined chart paper are great for creating anchor charts with the students throughout the year.  I love the Post-It Note brand because I don't have to locate sticky clips to hang the charts.  They immediately apply to the wall, once removed from the table top stand.

Second: Post-It Notes!  I prefer different sizes and colors for various reasons.  Students record their thoughts, predictions, etc, and use them as "stop signs".  For example, I have students place Post-Its in varied places throughout a text to serve as reminders to STOP...THINK...RETELL.  Take a peek HERE for a Pinterest Board called "50 Post-It Lessons".  There are fantastic ideas on this board that I refer to  it often.  In addition, I love the FREE Sticky App for the iPads which allows students to record their thoughts, ideas, and text evidence while reading a book. 

Sticky App Icon

Third: Anything that highlights! Highlighters, highlighting flags and highlighting tape come into play when the students are asked to "mark up the text" by underlining important details, locating parts of a word, marking unfamiliar vocabulary and confusing parts, etc., while "Eye Lighters" are helpful in maintaining a reader's focus while reading.

Fourth: PRE-Sharpened Pencils.  I make sure to have pencils available in my room for students to use.  I've had the same box for years, but the best feature of the pencils below is... (drumroll, please) they come PRE-sharpened!  I don't have to waste time standing at the manual sharpener attached to my entryway door at the start of the year.  I have more important things to do! ;) 

Fifth: Bags! The Fountas & Pinnell Intervention System canvas bags are durable Take-Home bags for the students to protect their books while traveling to and from school.  If the canvas bags get damaged or lost by the students, gallon-sized Ziploc bags come into play.  Ziploc bags are much easier and cheaper to replace.  The sandwich-sized Ziploc bags are great for word cards related to different sorts, as well as simple storage for small items.  

Well, there you have it, my top 5 "must-have" items (even though there are more than 5!) for the start of the school year.  Each of these items helps me support my students with guided reading and writing.  I highly recommend them.    

I can't believe the start of the school year is just around the corner!  I return on Friday, August 15th for a Teacher's Institute Day, but know I'll go back sooner than that to get things organized in my new room.  I have to change rooms, which I don't mind at all.  Lots of changes are happening at my school this year.  However, change makes us grow as individuals, which is always a bonus.  One day soon, I'll share some pictures of my new surroundings.  Okay, I'm going to end this post with a silly quote I found online. 

Happy Friday!