Stamina has become a common word in our classroom. Sometimes building stamina can be tough and exhausting, as proven in the above picture (CLASSIC!!!). Despite what this picture might allude to, my students have continued to build stamina in the areas of reading, writing, and math. I have been blown away by my students' ability to work for a long period of time. Here are a few updates on how we are building stamina in the areas of math, reading, and writing.
Reading
My students have learned 2 of the 5 components of The Daily 5. Students have continued to build stamina for both Read to Self and Work on Writing. They have reached 25 to 30 minutes for both. We have also added the element of doing both reading and writing at the same time. Half of my class completed Read to Self while the other half completed Work on Writing, and then they switched roles the following round. The transition to doing multiple jobs in the same round isn't always an easy one to make, however, my students were not at all fazed by this when we tried it for the first time on Friday. This next week, we will begin to learn how to do Word Work. Here is a video from our first attempt with this.
My students have learned 2 of the 5 components of The Daily 5. Students have continued to build stamina for both Read to Self and Work on Writing. They have reached 25 to 30 minutes for both. We have also added the element of doing both reading and writing at the same time. Half of my class completed Read to Self while the other half completed Work on Writing, and then they switched roles the following round. The transition to doing multiple jobs in the same round isn't always an easy one to make, however, my students were not at all fazed by this when we tried it for the first time on Friday. This next week, we will begin to learn how to do Word Work. Here is a video from our first attempt with this.
Writing
Students have increased their stamina to 30 minutes in the area of writing. My students have done a phenomenal job of continuing to add details to their pictures and their words. They have truly taken the following saying to heart: 'When you think you're done, you've only just begun!" They are constantly thinking of ways to make their writing and their illustrations better and easier to read. They have also learned how to stretch words like rubber bands and use letter charts to get more sounds down in their writing. My students have particularly loved sharing their writing at the end of Writers' Workshop each day. As of now, 1-2 students share every day. All students will have an opportunity to share their writing before the end of the first trimester. Here are pictures and a video from our writing time.
Students have increased their stamina to 30 minutes in the area of writing. My students have done a phenomenal job of continuing to add details to their pictures and their words. They have truly taken the following saying to heart: 'When you think you're done, you've only just begun!" They are constantly thinking of ways to make their writing and their illustrations better and easier to read. They have also learned how to stretch words like rubber bands and use letter charts to get more sounds down in their writing. My students have particularly loved sharing their writing at the end of Writers' Workshop each day. As of now, 1-2 students share every day. All students will have an opportunity to share their writing before the end of the first trimester. Here are pictures and a video from our writing time.
Math
Math By Myself has really taken off this week. To clarify, Math By Myself is a different time in our day separate from our regular math time. This will take place during the time in my day where I meet with small groups in math. Again, we are really gaining independence and stamina so that I can meet with math groups and so that students will have more time to practice various math skills. As of now, students have all learned how to efficiently and accurately count various counting collections. Ten-frames have been introduced as a math tool to help students accomplish this task. Students have also learned how to write their information onto a special recording sheet. In addition, our stamina has increased to 17 minutes! Here are some pictures and a video of our Math By Myself time.
Math By Myself has really taken off this week. To clarify, Math By Myself is a different time in our day separate from our regular math time. This will take place during the time in my day where I meet with small groups in math. Again, we are really gaining independence and stamina so that I can meet with math groups and so that students will have more time to practice various math skills. As of now, students have all learned how to efficiently and accurately count various counting collections. Ten-frames have been introduced as a math tool to help students accomplish this task. Students have also learned how to write their information onto a special recording sheet. In addition, our stamina has increased to 17 minutes! Here are some pictures and a video of our Math By Myself time.
On that note, I am going to end with a funny story. One little boy in my class was working on some writing at home one evening before bed. He wanted to practice drawing a picture so he knew exactly how to draw it the next day during Writers' Workshop. Apparently, he was working for a long time, trying to get his picture just right. His mom made some comment that he had probably practiced enough, and he said, "Mom, I'm increasing my stamina!" Yes, this word has made its way into normal conversation of my 5 and 6 year old students. I love this story, and I love these students with every ounce of my being!