A GREAT New Book...

A Must Read! 

 Rock It! Transform Classroom learning with Movement, Songs, and Stories by Steve Reifman!    

      For those of you who saw my post, Five for Friday on September 13th, I shared about how my students are writing about their favorite books or MUST READ BOOKS!  This summer, I attended the Staff Development for Educators Conference in Chicago and if you saw any of my summer posts, you know that I had the opportunity to meet and listen to some amazing educators!  This post is combining both!  I have a MUST READ book to share with you as well as tell you about one of those amazing speakers I heard in Chicago!

     I was really lucky to be able to meet and hear this awesome educator, speak at the conference.  The session I went to was not a typical session, where you sit and jot notes. Instead, we learned about strategies and ideas from Steve Reifman's book, Rock It! Transform Classroom Learning with Movement, Songs, and Stories, by participating in the activities that we would ask students to do at school! I am a FIRM believer that students learn through the experiences they have and this book helps you provide those experiences for your students!

     I thought I would go through some of the highlights/chapters of this book to share with you and show you just why you need to grab a copy of this book!  

Chapter 1- Talks about how to set up a morning warm-ups.  Morning warm-ups get students prepared to think and focus throughout the day.  When I went to the training this summer, Steve had us participate in the morning warm-ups, just as he would ask his students to do. I have since, been implementing these warm-ups.  My kids LOVE them!  They also use some of the activities during their independent reading, when they need to refocus or get energized!  I love seeing them stop and self-regulate throughout the day.

Chapter 2,3,4,5,7,8- Talk about ways to integrate movement, stories, songs, and chants with content and how to use these to create an inviting learning environment.  I LOVE to teach through song.  In fact, just yesterday, one of my students, who has difficulty retaining new learning, said he could add 8+8 because he sang the doubles song to himself! I try to find some sort of song, movement, or chant to introduce every new concept.  Something I hadn't ever tried was using a story.  During the workshop this summer, Steve told us his stories of Area and Peri-Meter!  I have NOT forgotten these stories and I could tell you them by heart!  Why?  Because the stories were engaging and included movement!  I am really excited to use some of the stories this school year.  

Chapter 6- Focuses on movement breaks.  Do you use movement breaks in your classroom.  Students need opportunities to get up, stretch and reactivate their brain, throughout the day. This chapter gives some good suggestions on how to use brain breaks throughout the day.  

     With most states adopting the Common Core Standards, the best part is that he has taken the time to align the activities with Common Core Standards.  For me this is a HUGE addition to the text. 
     So...How do YOU incorporate songs, movements, stories, chants into your day?  I would love to hear about your experiences!  If you are up for learning some great new strategies, definitely check out this new book.  You can grab a copy at www.stevereifman.com or on Amazon.

I hope you enjoy this MUST read!  
-Michelle