Putting a Little Magic in Reader's Workshop and a Freebie

I LOVE to play games with my students. This game is a class favorite. I revamped the game after reading Laura Candler's Power Reading Workshop. (A MUST HAVE for every teacher.) She made me look at AR testing in a different light. AR is huge in our school district and therefore required, but I've made it less of an emphasis in my classroom. The old version of the game allowed students to draw a card after they passed an AR test.

But back to the game, it is played like Candy Land.
Here are step by step instructions for those that aren't familiar with Candy Land.
1. Students complete their book log, book notes, etc. (Anything you want.) and they receive a card. [You will need to make the cards using the free printable at the bottom of this post.]
2. The cards have a colored square on them. They move their game piece to that color on the board.
3. They continue to go around the game board until they reach the finish line. That last color on the board is green, and they need to draw a green card to win. [This allows you to limit the number of students that win the game. I have fewer green cards in the deck.]
4. When they make it to the finish line they get out of the treasure box and place their game piece back at the start.
I use this game during my Reading and Writing Conference. The students keep binders that include book notes and book logs. I was having SO much trouble getting the students to keep up wither their book log, and it was driving me CRAZY! It didn't seem to matter that they were losing 5 points from their notebook grade EVERY week. When I started handing out Bookland cards for accurate book logs and completed book notes (one card for each), it was like MAGIC. It just amazes me how positive reinforcement works.

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I made the bulletin board using scrap-booking stickers. I got all of mine at Hobby Lobby during their 50% sale. They run this sale a few times a year, and you will definitely want to wait until then because those babies are expensive. The game pieces were also purchased there. They're like mini buttons, and I looped some string through and applied a little hot glue. Each student has a different game piece. I made the books by printing a picture from Amazon, laminating, and folding the picture. I'm sure someone much craftier would do a better job. 

There are infinite possibilities for books and character pieces you could choose. You don't have to use the ones I've created. Just browse the craft store and find the inspiration for your favorite picture book or novel. I'm sure you could also find other reasons to hand out the game cards. I just personally wouldn't give them out for reading and testing on a book. I would love to see what you come up with. There is still space for me to add more:) Click HERE or on the picture below for the game cards. Print on card stock or glue together the two copies, laminate, and cut out. You will need several copies.

A Book Review 

I have no idea if Laura would approve of my playing a game or giving prizes for completed reading binders. I do know her book changed my "Teaching Life". Seriously! If you've read my blog, you know I'm a big fan of hers. This is by far one of my most beloved professional books. For me it unraveled the secret to the Reading Writing Workshop. I had been to countless workshops on this model but it just never seemed to go smoothly for me in the classroom. When I read this book, it was like having a mentor teacher whisper all the secrets to running a successful workshop model in the classroom. The book can be read in a day and feels like you're reading a note from your best friend. By the way, I haven't been paid or compensated in any way to write this. I had written in an earlier post about my students being 100% advanced in literacy, and several people wanted to know how I managed it. This is the book that transformed my classroom, and I give it the credit for the test results. If you teach literacy, you MUST get a copy today. Click the cover to grab a copy. 

If you are a fan/follower, and I sure hope you are, you know I usually keep it short and sweet. This is a marathon post for me, but I have so many things I've been wanting to tell you about. I've just finished my second week of school and have been super busy. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. My class is AWESOME this year, and I can't wait to share this year with you. I already have 5 posts written in my head, so hopefully I will be posting again soon. I would love to hear from you and good luck as you create magic in your classroom this year!