As I said in the blog a few weeks ago, students have been busy learning routines and procedures. Now that these routines and procedures have become somewhat automatic, we have been able to devote more of our attention on the curriculum. Please read the sections below to see what we've been learning in the areas of reading, writing, and math.
Reading
Students have been hard at work learning the routines and procedures for Readers' Workshop. Once this workshop is fully up and running, students will be able to independently perform the following tasks: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Listen to Reading, and Word Work. Each day, students will have an opportunity to complete 3 of the 5 tasks while I work with small groups on targeted reading skills. Although it will take a few months for students to become independent with all of these tasks, it will pay off in the long run. As I've witnessed these past few years, students learn exponentially more throughout the year with the implementation of Daily 5 compared to a year without this structure. Already, my students have become independent with Read to Self and are ready to learn Work on Writing, Word Work, Listen to Reading, and Read to Someone.
To help students become independent with each of these components, I have created anchor charts with my students on the specific step-by-step instructions they are to do during each task. Pictures have also been added to these charts. They serve as visual reminders on what to do for each component of the Readers' Workshop (see procedures and pictures below for Read to Self). Once a chart has been created, students directly practice each item, and slowly, but surely, they build stamina. Our first day of Read to Self, my students were able to "read" independently for 3 minutes. The second day practicing Read to Self, students were able to read independently for 5 minutes. I am proud to say that we are now able to read independently for 18 minutes! It's really amazing, considering many of my students don't exactly know how to "read" just yet.
Even though not all of my students can read words, ALL of my students can successfully read the pictures. Students have learned that there are two ways to read a book: through pictures and through words. This beginning skill of reading pictures will help students quickly develop the skills necessary to read the words. I have also done many lessons on how to read books: how to hold a book, how to point to the words as we read, how to use the pictures to help us read the words, which direction we read words, and how to get our mouths ready to say the first sound when we come to an unknown word. My students have also learned that you can cross-check when you come to a word you're not sure is correct. This simply means they ask themselves: Does it look right, sound right, and make sense? We've worked on phonological awareness skills as well: rhyming, counting syllables in words, and hearing and identifying beginning sounds in words.
"The Book Fairy" has also been extremely motivating in our reading adventure. She leaves books and materials in a book basket each day to help us become better readers. Oh, how my students LOVE The Book Fairy! They truly believe she is a magical creature who wants them to love reading as much as she does. My students have already received individual books from The Book Fairy to add to their reading boxes. These are the books that they know really well and can practice throughout the Readers' Workshop. Students have absolutely LOVED receiving these new books!
Here are the pictures and procedures from Read to Self:
Reading
Students have been hard at work learning the routines and procedures for Readers' Workshop. Once this workshop is fully up and running, students will be able to independently perform the following tasks: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Listen to Reading, and Word Work. Each day, students will have an opportunity to complete 3 of the 5 tasks while I work with small groups on targeted reading skills. Although it will take a few months for students to become independent with all of these tasks, it will pay off in the long run. As I've witnessed these past few years, students learn exponentially more throughout the year with the implementation of Daily 5 compared to a year without this structure. Already, my students have become independent with Read to Self and are ready to learn Work on Writing, Word Work, Listen to Reading, and Read to Someone.
To help students become independent with each of these components, I have created anchor charts with my students on the specific step-by-step instructions they are to do during each task. Pictures have also been added to these charts. They serve as visual reminders on what to do for each component of the Readers' Workshop (see procedures and pictures below for Read to Self). Once a chart has been created, students directly practice each item, and slowly, but surely, they build stamina. Our first day of Read to Self, my students were able to "read" independently for 3 minutes. The second day practicing Read to Self, students were able to read independently for 5 minutes. I am proud to say that we are now able to read independently for 18 minutes! It's really amazing, considering many of my students don't exactly know how to "read" just yet.
Even though not all of my students can read words, ALL of my students can successfully read the pictures. Students have learned that there are two ways to read a book: through pictures and through words. This beginning skill of reading pictures will help students quickly develop the skills necessary to read the words. I have also done many lessons on how to read books: how to hold a book, how to point to the words as we read, how to use the pictures to help us read the words, which direction we read words, and how to get our mouths ready to say the first sound when we come to an unknown word. My students have also learned that you can cross-check when you come to a word you're not sure is correct. This simply means they ask themselves: Does it look right, sound right, and make sense? We've worked on phonological awareness skills as well: rhyming, counting syllables in words, and hearing and identifying beginning sounds in words.
"The Book Fairy" has also been extremely motivating in our reading adventure. She leaves books and materials in a book basket each day to help us become better readers. Oh, how my students LOVE The Book Fairy! They truly believe she is a magical creature who wants them to love reading as much as she does. My students have already received individual books from The Book Fairy to add to their reading boxes. These are the books that they know really well and can practice throughout the Readers' Workshop. Students have absolutely LOVED receiving these new books!
Here are the pictures and procedures from Read to Self:
Find Bubble Spot Get Started Right Away
Read the Whole Time Quiet...Shhh!!!
Also, here is a recent video of one of our sessions. Watching this again, I seriously can't get over how well this group is doing! One of the things we have really worked on is pointing to the words as we read. So many of my students were doing just that in the video below. They have taken on the role of 'reader' very seriously. I can't wait to see them really take off when we begin reading groups in the next few weeks. I have also included a video of cleaning up. We really don't have time to waste in our day, so cleaning up quickly and quietly is essential. Whenever my students hear the chimes, they know they are to stop right away and begin to quickly and quietly clean up. They have gotten to be pretty efficient if I do say so myself!
Also, here is a recent video of one of our sessions. Watching this again, I seriously can't get over how well this group is doing! One of the things we have really worked on is pointing to the words as we read. So many of my students were doing just that in the video below. They have taken on the role of 'reader' very seriously. I can't wait to see them really take off when we begin reading groups in the next few weeks. I have also included a video of cleaning up. We really don't have time to waste in our day, so cleaning up quickly and quietly is essential. Whenever my students hear the chimes, they know they are to stop right away and begin to quickly and quietly clean up. They have gotten to be pretty efficient if I do say so myself!
After their morning routines, my students have the opportunity to read books from our classroom library. My students absolutely LOVE this time. We call it Library Read to Self, which is very similar to Read to Self. Really, the only difference is, students are only reading books from my library and not from their browsing boxes. Per usual, my students have been doing an awesome job with this! I had a teacher come in one morning, and they couldn't believe how independent they were with the procedures. Check out the video below and see for yourself! This video was taken the first day we tried it!
On Friday this week, students will be able to pick 3 books from my library to keep in their browsing box for the next week. They are so excited! I love how much my students love books!
Writing
Similar to our Readers' Workshop, we also have a Writers' Workshop. Essentially, it's the same concept: students learn to write independently so that the teacher can work with students individually or in a small group. We started off slowly, creating an anchor chart to know exactly what to do during this time. We also took pictures to help us remember each of the procedures. We have also been building stamina. Students have gone from being able to write independently for 5 minutes to being able to write independently for 30 minutes.
I have also done many lessons on how to write. Students understand that there are three ways to write: drawing the pictures, writing the words, and adding details. Currently, they are learning that 'when they think they are done, they've really just begun'. They have learned that details can be added to both their pictures and their words to tell more of the story. They have also learned that leaving spaces between words makes writing easier to read.
All of my students feel successful at this point because they understand that even if they can't write yet, they can draw pictures to help tell the story. I am truly amazed at my students' writing and illustrating thus far. After several lessons on how to stretch out words and write down sounds, nearly all of my students have attempted to incorporate words into their writing.
We are currently writing true stories from our lives (personal narratives). Soon, we will begin reading personal narratives written by published authors to help us learn how to write this particular kind of book. Students have learned that some of the smallest moments in our lives can make the best stories. They have embraced this concept, and I am loving the memories my students are sharing. Currently, I am keeping their writing pieces in individual files. At the end of each trimester, I will put the pieces into a file for you to keep. I will also share these writing pieces with you at conferences.
Here are a few pictures of some writing and some procedures. I have also included a video of a pretty typical writing conference with a student and a few videos of students sharing their writing with the class.
Similar to our Readers' Workshop, we also have a Writers' Workshop. Essentially, it's the same concept: students learn to write independently so that the teacher can work with students individually or in a small group. We started off slowly, creating an anchor chart to know exactly what to do during this time. We also took pictures to help us remember each of the procedures. We have also been building stamina. Students have gone from being able to write independently for 5 minutes to being able to write independently for 30 minutes.
I have also done many lessons on how to write. Students understand that there are three ways to write: drawing the pictures, writing the words, and adding details. Currently, they are learning that 'when they think they are done, they've really just begun'. They have learned that details can be added to both their pictures and their words to tell more of the story. They have also learned that leaving spaces between words makes writing easier to read.
All of my students feel successful at this point because they understand that even if they can't write yet, they can draw pictures to help tell the story. I am truly amazed at my students' writing and illustrating thus far. After several lessons on how to stretch out words and write down sounds, nearly all of my students have attempted to incorporate words into their writing.
We are currently writing true stories from our lives (personal narratives). Soon, we will begin reading personal narratives written by published authors to help us learn how to write this particular kind of book. Students have learned that some of the smallest moments in our lives can make the best stories. They have embraced this concept, and I am loving the memories my students are sharing. Currently, I am keeping their writing pieces in individual files. At the end of each trimester, I will put the pieces into a file for you to keep. I will also share these writing pieces with you at conferences.
Here are a few pictures of some writing and some procedures. I have also included a video of a pretty typical writing conference with a student and a few videos of students sharing their writing with the class.
Find Bubble Spot Get Started Right Away
Write the Whole Time Quiet...Shhh!!!
Math
In math, we have been learning several routines and procedures as well. This is the fourth year I am attempting to do the Math Workshop approach. Very similar to the Readers' Workshop and the Writers' Workshop I just described, Math Workshop involves students working on tasks independently while the teacher works with small groups of students. These small groups of students will consist of students who are working on similar math skills. I truly believe this approach will allow me to meet the individual needs of my students. I can challenge them exactly where they are at. Currently, we are learning the procedures for Math By Myself. This time involves counting various collections of random objects and explaining their efficient counting strategy. We will also add number writing to our list of things to do during Math by Myself. Eventually, we will learn more tasks, but for now, these two activities will help deepen each students' sense of numbers. Here are some pictures and a video from Math By Myself.
In math, we have been learning several routines and procedures as well. This is the fourth year I am attempting to do the Math Workshop approach. Very similar to the Readers' Workshop and the Writers' Workshop I just described, Math Workshop involves students working on tasks independently while the teacher works with small groups of students. These small groups of students will consist of students who are working on similar math skills. I truly believe this approach will allow me to meet the individual needs of my students. I can challenge them exactly where they are at. Currently, we are learning the procedures for Math By Myself. This time involves counting various collections of random objects and explaining their efficient counting strategy. We will also add number writing to our list of things to do during Math by Myself. Eventually, we will learn more tasks, but for now, these two activities will help deepen each students' sense of numbers. Here are some pictures and a video from Math By Myself.
Find Bubble Spot Get Started Right Away
Work the Whole Time Quiet...Shhh!!!
Students have also learned how to do Math With Someone, which is essentially playing a math game with a partner. We will learn a lot of math games this year. These games will help students become fluent and will also help reinforce math concepts we are learning. Like the previous tasks, students have learned routines and procedures for Math With Someone. Here are some pictures and a video.
Find Bubble Spot Get Started Right Away
Work the Whole Time Quiet...Shhh!!!
In addition to Math By Myself and Math With Someone, students learned how to do Math on the Computer. Students are working on a math site called Zearn, which corresponds with math concepts we are currently learning. Students have worked hard to do these stations at the same time. We are working to build stamina and are close to 15 minutes each round. Once that happens, I will be begin to meet with math groups. Here are a few videos featuring the math stations going on at the same time and cleaning up the stations quickly and quietly.
We are also learning about different ways to count. So far, we've learned about counting accurately and efficiently and have begun to create a list of different ways to count. Students have offered ideas such as counting by tens, lining things up while counting, and moving things while counting. Students have learned that making groups of tens using ten frames helps students count efficiently and accurately.
Students have also begun to solve problems in our problem solving journals. These problems will help students understand how numbers and operations work together. We are currently learning that one method to help solve problems is through drawing pictures. We have also worked a lot on knowing groups of numbers quickly and efficiently on dice, Rekenreks (a special math tool similar to an abacus), and on ten frames. My students can quickly recognize groups of objects 1-10 on each of these objects. You can see their efficient and accurate counting in the videos below. I am working to get a video of every single student. We watch these videos as a class to learn from one another. Many times, students make the best teachers!!
Students have also begun to solve problems in our problem solving journals. These problems will help students understand how numbers and operations work together. We are currently learning that one method to help solve problems is through drawing pictures. We have also worked a lot on knowing groups of numbers quickly and efficiently on dice, Rekenreks (a special math tool similar to an abacus), and on ten frames. My students can quickly recognize groups of objects 1-10 on each of these objects. You can see their efficient and accurate counting in the videos below. I am working to get a video of every single student. We watch these videos as a class to learn from one another. Many times, students make the best teachers!!
Aren't my students amazing? I am thoroughly impressed each and every day at all they have learned in just a month. If this is any indication of what they are going to accomplish, I think it's safe to say they will find a lot of success this year. I look forward to having a front row seat to these successes.
I would like to end this post by sharing a funny story. One of my students earned a Titan Ticket. After receiving it, he said, "This is my third Titan Ticket of the day!" I gave him praise and said, "Good job!" He then proceeded to say, "Man, I'm really starting to figure this school thing out!" Well, that makes one of us! I am STILL trying to figure this "school thing" out as every day of teaching brings new surprises and challenges. Even though I still laugh about that story, it reminds me that these kids really do have so much to learn when they enter kindergarten. It's probably very overwhelming, but my students have handled it with such grace and excitement. It's been a pleasure to witness their accomplishments thus far!
I would like to end this post by sharing a funny story. One of my students earned a Titan Ticket. After receiving it, he said, "This is my third Titan Ticket of the day!" I gave him praise and said, "Good job!" He then proceeded to say, "Man, I'm really starting to figure this school thing out!" Well, that makes one of us! I am STILL trying to figure this "school thing" out as every day of teaching brings new surprises and challenges. Even though I still laugh about that story, it reminds me that these kids really do have so much to learn when they enter kindergarten. It's probably very overwhelming, but my students have handled it with such grace and excitement. It's been a pleasure to witness their accomplishments thus far!