Rotation Explanations
My classroom structure is based upon a rotational schedule as well as a whole class instructional model. Each day, students will spend approximately 25 minutes in a different rotation. The rotations are as follows: Literature Circle, Comprehension, Writer’s BINGO, Literature Circle Paperwork, and Reader’s Rotation. They will receive a rotation schedule to keep up with throughout the school year. I do not assign nightly homework, but there will be times when homework is assigned. Also, if classwork is not finished in class, it automatically becomes homework.
Literature Circle: Students will have a weekly literature circle assignment from a book that is not the book they have from the library or my classroom library. This means they will be reading two books at once. However, they have five (5) weeks to finish their literature circle book. Each week when they go to their literature circle rotation, they will discuss their assignment and be given a new assignment as well as a new set of pages to read. They must participate and have their assignment finished to receive credit. Also, a parent/guardian is required weekly and is part of their grade. While this assignment is a little overwhelming at first, I find that students quickly get into the routine of literature circle and enjoy having a designated time to discuss the book with other peers that are reading the book as well.
Comprehension: Students receive a weekly comprehension assignment during their comprehension rotation. They have exactly one week from the day they receive the assignment to turn it in. This rotation places emphasis upon learning to answer comprehension questions by using a variety of strategies as well as short answer writing prompts that focus upon text-based evidence.
Writer’s BINGO: Students receive a new BINGO sheet each month. The prompts require students to use critical thinking skills to create a response. This rotation allows students to use their creative skills as well as their analytical skills to compose responses that follow the prompt. A rubric is provided to students so they know how they will be graded.
Literature Circle Paperwork: Each week, students will receive class time to work on their literature circle packet. There should be NO reason why students show up to literature circle with nothing completed in their packet unless they are not utilizing their class time appropriately. Students must have their literature circle pages read prior to working on this assignment.
Reader’s Rotation: Students work in a group to read a short passage based upon a specific reading skill. For example: cause and effect, author’s purpose, main idea and details, point of view, etc. The short passages have a few multiple choice questions that students must use text based evidence to answer. This rotation not only enhances critical thinking skills, but enhances students’ social skills through a collaborative effort to find the correct answer. Students become “text talkers” in this rotation.
Click here for a copy of the literature circle packet. Students DO NOT complete the entire packet in one week. They will have one job per week for a total of five jobs in a five week period.
Click here for a copy of the literature circle grading rubric. Students will receive a new grading sheet each week for the job that they were to complete. Students need to keep up with their grading sheets for the duration of the time they are reading the book.
Click here for a copy of the montly Writer’s Bingo Cards. Each month, students will be required to make a BINGO from the card. They may complete extra squares for bonus points. (+2 per each correctly done square)
Click here for a copy of the Writer’s Bingo grading rubric. This outlines exactly how this assignment will be graded. Each square will receive its own rubric.
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