I previously posted about using Choice Boards to introduce the Texas 2×2 books to my Kinder, 1st, and 2nd graders.  You can read more about that here.  I had such fun creating those choice boards with my fellow librarians that I decided to use the same idea to create Choice Boards for the Upper Grades too.  I thought my 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders would be able to handle the independent nature of the activities and I could weave in a review of the skills they are doing in their classroom as well.

As I started to plan things out, I had a few features that I knew I wanted to be consistent with all the Choice Boards for the Upper Grades.   First of all, each board would start with a book (of course, right?!)  That could be a book you read in real time if you are able to have a synchronous learning time.  It could be an asynchronous, pre-recorded version of you reading the book (depending upon what publishers do in the fall in regards to allowing recorded read-alouds.)  It could also be linking to a video that’s already out there by the author, illustrator, or publisher.   Even though I put a book on each of the Choice Boards, you can really switch it out with any book that you have that works with the skills on the board.  This makes each board very editable to fit your students and resources that you have.

I also knew that I wanted each Choice Board to have a STEAM activity, drawing and/or arts-n-crafts activity, some sort of typing practice, and a coding option.  The other boxes would be used to review specific lessons or skills that the students were already covering in their classroom.  My thinking is that if I could show the same information in a different way, it might help them remember and if nothing else, give them additional practice on those skills.

Now, we are going to be starting this year virtually for the first 3 weeks (at least), but these Choice Boards can be used for in person learning as well.   I am a part of the Special’s rotation, and have 50-minute classes, and see each group of kids every six days.  I realize that I packed WAY more than I will have time for when we do go back to in-person teaching, but I figure the kids could continue to work on the Choice Boards throughout the week on their own time. 🙂

So here are the Choice Boards for the Upper Grades that I have created so far.

First I knew I needed to do one on Digital Citizenship.  This is always important to teach, but even more so during this crazy distance learning time! (If you would like a copy of the Digital Citizenship Choice Board, click here.)   In my board, I did use the wonderful Digital Citizenship Trivia Game by The Techie Teacher.  I made some tweaks to the questions to match the topics I covered in my classroom.

I also wanted to introduce this year’s Texas Bluebonnet books and encourage them to participate in our Virtual Bluebonnet Wall of Fame.  You can read more about that on my next blog post! (If you would like a copy of the Texas Bluebonnet Choice Board, click here.)

One additional lesson I do pretty early on in the “normal” school year is on eBooks. I am planning on recording videos to show students the steps on how to navigate to, log in, and read the ebooks on each of the sites.  I don’t have them done just yet as we are in the middle of changing our library websites to google sites. I want to be able to record the “new look” of the steps in the videos so I will be doing those in the next few weeks.  (If you would like a copy of the eBooks Choice Board, click here.)

I also always do an introduction/review of the fiction genres in our chapter book area.  I give them time to explore each genre and give the a bookmark to write down the titles & call numbers of books that look interesting within each genre.  This helps to build their “I want to read next” list. I usually follow this up with a lesson on Goal Setting, and encourage them to try and read different genres throughout the year.  You can read more about Goal Setting here. (If you would like a copy of the Fiction Genres Choice Board, click here.)

I also do a fun investigation of the Non-Fiction section and introduce/review the Dewey Decimal System in a game format.  I give them time to explore the section and write notes on the types of books they found in each area. Then we play a Dewey game I created on Factile.com. ( If you don’t know about PlayFactile.com you totally need to check it out!  You can create your own Jeopardy game with any type of skill you want to review.)  (If you would like a copy of the Non-Fiction Genres Choice Board, click here.)

In October, I usually do a Storybook Pumpkin or Potato Patch activity with the kids.  You can read more about that here.   I’m not too sure what we will be doing in October, whether we will still be virtual, in person, or some hybrid of the two.  Regardless of how we are teaching, I do plan on encouraging kids to participate in this super fun activity.  (If you would like a copy of the Storybook Pumpkin Patch Choice Board, click here.)

Well, that’s all I’ve created so far.  I am currently still working on finishing Choice Boards for Databases, Elements of a Story, and Elements of Poetry.  I will post those as well as any others I create as an updated blog.  I would love to hear your ideas or suggestions for other Choice Boards for the upper grades.   What other lessons do you plan on doing with 3rd, 4th, and 5th.