Four-Star Reading Responses | Crafting Connections
Receive tips, freebies, and resource updates when you subscribe to my newsletter!

Four-Star Reading Responses

Wednesday, October 14, 2015
When I was a 4th/5th grade reading teacher, I fell in love with the Say Something response assignment. Are you familiar with this reading response activity?  When students finish reading, they are given a Post-it note, and they get to choose whether they:

  • ask a question.
  • make a comment.
  • make a prediction.
  • clarify something.
  • make a connection.

When our guided reading group time was almost over, it was so simple to hand students a Post-it note (that could serve as a bookmark), tell students to finish reading a chapter, and, as an assignment, "say something" on the Post-it note that they will share the following day when the group meets again.

When I first tried this response with students, I quickly figured out that giving them the above list was not enough. As a teacher, you definitely need to model what a well-written Say Something Post-it note looks like!  If you don't model, you will definitely see minimal effort in the form of notes that look like the 1-star notes below.

Four-Star Reading Responses Anchor Chart. Use this anchor chart to show your students between a vague 1-star response and a detailed 4-star response!

Recently I ran across this blog post by Chartchums, where they created an anchor chart that showed the progression from a 1-star Post-it note to a 4-star Post-it note for their second graders. I thought it was such a great idea that I was inspired to create a similar anchor chart for upper elementary students based on the Say Something Post-it Note reading strategy.

The Post-it note examples on this chart are based on the book The Name of this Book Is Secret (The Secret Series) by Pseudonymous Bosch. (This book would make an excellent mystery read-aloud, by the way!) (Amazon affiliate link follows.)
I especially like the visual element- it is clearly and immediately evident to students that shorter responses are worth only 1-star because they lack details. In order to write a 4-star Post-it note, students must strive for higher-level thinking that includes details and thorough explanations. When I share this anchor chart with students in the future, I plan to show them the anchor chart on the first day, and discuss what makes each Post-it note deserve that number of stars. On the second day, after students have written their own independent Post-it note responses, I will have each student bring his or her note to the anchor chart and line it up with where they believe their Post-it note should be placed. For example, if a student wrote a prediction, I would have him look at the 4 prediction Post-it notes on the anchor chart and decide which most resembles the type of response that he wrote. After a few days of doing this, hopefully students will be writing 3- and 4- star Post-it note responses!

I was going to make my own Say Something bookmarks to attach to this blog post, but after doing a quick search on TpT, I found that some fabulous bookmarks already exist! Check out these freebies by Let's Geaux Teach!

Do you have any tricks for getting students to write detailed responses to what they've read?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

65 comments:

  1. This is just what I was looking for that my principal couldn't provide! Oh, what did I do before Pinterest! Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can you provide an enlarged photo of this, I can't really read what the responses under the four star column say. I can provide my email krrobinson@gaston.k12.nc.us

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love an enlarged photo as well. Thank you.
    daskame@pcsb.org

    ReplyDelete
  4. An enlarged photo would be great!! nixonhh@rss.k12.nc.us

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would like an enlarged photo too as I like the idea but can't read it all... minz1970@gmail.com.... thank you in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would like an enlarged photo too as I like the idea but can't read it all... minz1970@gmail.com.... thank you in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't know if you are providing enlarged photos, but if you are sharing, I would also appreciate! Great idea!! sdorner@shakopee.k12.mn.us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been sending the photo to everyone via email. I just sent a photo to you. Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

      Delete
    2. Would also love an enlarged photo! Emily_miller@roundrockisd.org

      Delete
  8. I would love an enlarged photo as well :) thanks-great idea!
    Kwaychowsky@jupiterchristian.org

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love an enlarged photo! Thanks so much!
    missy5459-email@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. May I also have an enlarged photo? Thank you! Love the idea!
    butterfly1225@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Could I also get an enlarged photo? katelputnam@gmail.com Thank you! Great idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love an enlarged photo of this! Thank you! cdolsky@liberty.k12.mo.us

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would love an enlarged photo as well please.
    Madaniel247@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Would you be able to provide me with an enlarged picture...thanks!
    jcrane@nhanover.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Would you be able to provide me with an enlarged picture...thanks!
    jcrane@nhanover.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love an enlarged picture! I cannot wait to try this out next year! I also love the link to the bookmarks!
    kpruette@greenville.k12.sc.us

    ReplyDelete
  17. Me, too, please!! Thank you for the link to bookmarks.
    donna.puizina@boontonschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  18. Me too please!!! erikalundgarcia@gmail.com. Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Please email a photo...looks great chinsteen@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would love an enlarged photo please! Thanks so much! tammy.sharp@todd.kyschools.us

    ReplyDelete
  21. Would you please email me an enlarged
    Photo? Thanks!! Jefflsmith2@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  22. Would you please send me an enlarged photo too? Thanks! Jefflsmith2@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. Please send me a larger photo too at mnichols@brazosportisd.net. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Would you please send me an enlarged photo too? Thank you so much. Mnichols@brazosportisd.net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for sharing. I like all the others would love an enlarged picture--thank you--ibkajun@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Would you please send me an enlarged photo too? Thanks so much!
    ajenkins@csdspartans.org

    ReplyDelete
  27. Could you please send me an enlarged photo? Thanks for the great idea! jhaskins19@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would like an enlarged photo as well. Thanks so much! lalotz16@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would like a larger photo as well! Thank you so much!
    lalotz16@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Can I also get an enlarged photo as well? My email is csornig@rc.edu

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great idea! Would love a photo as well. llheflin30@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Enlarged photo, please. Great idea! Bknepper@sjusd.org

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would also love an enlarged photo, if possible! Thank you!!
    msalaeddin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would love an enlarged photo please! We have introduced stop and jot and need to provide examples of higher level thinking note-taking. Love the poster! Thank you for sharing! cthompson@splendoraisd.org

    ReplyDelete
  35. I hope everyone received an enlarge photo, I hope, I can get one too.I noticed your blog for this great idea is still ongoing since January I'm going to make my chart this week to be ready for Aug. 11. Thanks, Love your blog.I hit like on Facebook. jducarpe@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! Yes, I am happy to send anyone who requests a photo the largest photo I have of my anchor chart. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and my Facebook page! Have a great day!

      Delete
  36. Hello Deb. I just accepted a third grade teaching position and would love an enlarged photo of the Say Something anchor chart. It looks like you are helping many teachers. My email is wynndj@roadrunner.com and my first name is Dianne. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Deb. I just accepted a third grade teaching position and would love an enlarged photo of the Say Something anchor chart. It looks like you are helping many teachers. You can reach me at wynndj@roadrunner.com. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  38. This chart is great and I would love an enlarged photo, too. Can´t wait to use this in my classroom! gouldk@bsd-ri.net

    ReplyDelete
  39. You are so nice to share. I would love an enlarged photo -
    mdoherty@northbrook28.net
    THanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks! I'd love an enlarged copy!
    mdoherty@northbrook28.net

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love this! Could I get an enlarged photo too? Thank you so much! rsterrett@bsd100.org

    ReplyDelete
  42. Me too, please! Thank you so much for sharing. I would love an enlarged image as well. elaw@bxdca.org

    ReplyDelete
  43. Could I please have an enlarged photo? What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!! csullivan11@schools.nyc.gov

    ReplyDelete
  44. Could I please have an enlarged photo? What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing! csullivan11@schools.nyc.gov

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thank you for sharing this anchor chart. Please send me the enlarged photo. jbagnuol@psdschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you for sharing this anchor chart. Please send me an enlarged version. jbagnuol@psdschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  47. May I please have an enlarged photo? I love what you have done here! Thank you so very much. sullivanm@wellesleyps.org

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'd love to see the photo enlarged.
    lfiltness@gmail.com
    Thanks this is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I LOVE this and The Name of This Book is a Secret! Please send an enlarged photo:) criddle@philasd.org

    ReplyDelete
  50. Great anchor chart. Exactly what I need, but didn't have the time to create from scratch. Thank you so much for sharing I would love an enlarged photo if you are still willing to email them :-) kach9698@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. This is my first time teaching fifth grade, and your chart looks like exactly how I would want my students to work on their post-it notes. I would love an enlarged picture if you are still sending them out. Thank you so much! kpolles@summit.k12.n.us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm still sending them out! I'll send it to you now! :)

      Delete
  52. This is chart is what I call Awesome-Sauce! Great Poster! Can you please email me an enlarge picture, please to tobiaskimberly2012@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. This is too great! Just taught the post it note concept to two 5th grade classes today. Would you also send me the enlarged pic to my email? My colleague and I were discussing the need for a clear cut rubric and here it is!!! Thanks so much
    Hughev@pcps.us

    ReplyDelete
  54. Just found your awesome blog! Thank you for this idea we are actually reading this book starting Monday it was student choice for the read aloud. I would love to have an enlarged photo to use as an intro. Thank you in advance! fergusonal@lcsedu.net

    ReplyDelete
  55. Sorry to join the queue...but I could please have an enlarge photo too? Thanks heaps.
    pbe@gapps.uwcsea.edu.sg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No need to apologize... I am more than happy to send this to anyone who wants it! :)

      Delete
  56. Love this idea. Could you please send me an enlarged photo as well? Thanks for sharing! balbarran8200@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I too would love an enlarged copy please!
    Kind regards
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  58. Can I have an enlarged photo of the anchor chart as well? My email is kh422711@gmail.com. Also, for the "Say Something" bookmarks, for step 1, are the students sharing their post it with someone?

    ReplyDelete
  59. If you still have an enlarged photo I would love to have it. Thanks so much. My email is murt71@hotmail.com I already use the say something bookmarks and love them as well

    Thanks again
    Charolett

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.
Back to Top