Teacher Interview Questions

1. How many times a week do you do a running record?

A:  We do running records weekly with different groups. One week I will work with the lower level readers and try to take about two running records a day. The next week I will work with the middle level readers and try to do about two running records a day. The next week we will focus on the higher level readers and try to do at least two running records a day. When it comes down to it, I am probably doing a running record about three times a week. 

2. What are some school resources available for use in your classroom for your literacy program?

A: Our school has a large book room that is available to all of the teachers. This room includes many different books with various genres and levels. I use this room a lot to get my guided reading books. This room is great because it means that I will not have to buy them for my classroom and when I need resources for guided reading lessons, I have everything I need. 

3. What do you wish you knew your first year of teaching?

A: This sounds bad, but I taught kindergarten my first year, and I had no clue that you are supposed to do guided reading every single day. I  was a new teacher, fresh out of college, and had no idea that guided reading needed to be done daily. I have since learned that guided reading should be done everyday and I do guided reading everyday. 

4. How much time do you use for your literacy time?

A: Our intervention time for our school and our literacy blocks are at the same time. I have about 90 minutes to work with during my literacy block. 

5. How do you organize your classroom books?

A: I have a few books displayed on a shelf for my "classroom library" the rest of my books mostly come from the school library and the school book room. I stopped buying a lot of books for myself because we have so many good resources at our school. 

6. How do you split up your time with your groups?

A: I have three guided reading groups. I meet with two groups a day, I do guided reading daily. I meet with my higher level readers on Monday and Thursday. I meet with my middle level readers on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. I meet with my lower level readers every day. 

7. Do you let your students take the books home?

A: Students are able to take some books home. Usually we spend a couple of days with the book and then they can take them home. 

8. How long can they keep the books at home?

A: Students are supposed to bring the books back daily. They have a binder that goes home daily and in that binder there is a book log with dates, and books names and a place for check marks if the students bring back the book on time. They can only keep that book at home for a week, and they are only allowed to have one  book at home at a time. 

9. How many different reading groups do you have?

A: I have three different reading groups. 

10. Is there a specific reading program the school uses? 

A: The only thing really is that we use AIMSweb to help with testing students reading