Sages and Sagers have finished or are almost finished with their second literature circle books. We had a meeting last week about what they wanted to do for the next four or so weeks. The options were a third round of literature circles with more high-interest choices available for what to read, lessons on understanding text structure in non-fiction, and an author study research project. The kids decided on another round of literature circles. So, we will spend a good deal of time previewing books. I am going to offer up classic titles such as 1984, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, Metamorphasis, The Outsiders, and Steppenwolf. Newer fiction such as Milkweed and Tangerine will also be up for grabs.
In conjunction with the next round of literature circles we will revise and ramp-up jobs. I will also be teaching mini-lessons about storyline-introduction, rising action, climax, and falling action. We will use this structure as we talk about the stories.
Last week, the students particupated in a mini-lesson around what makes a good book review. They looked at actual reviews written by kids and talked about which ones they liked and why and which ones they didn't like and why. The class came to the conclusion that a good book review must be kind of like an advertisement and give some information about the story so as to be useful to the reader.
Most spelling groups were assessed last week and will be starting new sorts this week. Be on the lookout for new spelling words to appear in your mailboxes.
I'd love to hear your feedback about this blog. Is it helpful?
Have a Great Week!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Omega Update - January 21, 2008
Reading
We have begun our second round of literature circles. There are five groups this time ranging from two to five students. The groups are interest based, as the kids all had the power to choose their next book. The five books we are reading are: Julie's Wolf Pack by Jean Craighead George, Loser by Jerry Spinelli, Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park, Half Magic by Edward Eager, and Frindle by Andrew Clements. You can support the work your child is doing in literature circles in many ways: talk about the book, read and discuss sections of your child's choosing, get a copy of the book and read along at home, talk about your child's literature circle job with her/him.
I will be teaching mini-lessons on storyline in conjunction with strategies for "filing away" and recalling details and events in text. The first of these will happen tomorrow. We will finally get to read The Raven-a porquois tale from the Native American Indians of the Pacific Northwest-as part of this lesson.
Remember to casually mention/remind your child about filling out the reading calendar if s/he is one to forget such things.
Writing
Students will be working on writing as a way to get to know themselves and figure out their social worlds, as they journal and we converse in writing about friendships. These entries/conversations will begin this week in conjunction with friendship group.
We have finished a series of lessons on contractions, and I have been noticing kids trying to incorporate contractions into their written work.
Spelling
Be looking in your mailboxes for your child's next set of spelling words. Most groups were assessed last week and are starting new sorts. I've heard kids mention that working with their words at home is helping them learn. Keep up the good work on the homefront.
Word Work
Last week the Omegas agreed on their goals of three words per week for O1s and four per week for O2s. We didn't take the goal seriously last week because kids were still learning how to complete the cards. The idea of collecting words seems to have caught on, and most (if not all) are enjoying the task.
Friendship Group
This week we will play Charades as we have fun comunicating with body language. Kids will be journaling about ways friends communicate, and I will be responding to their entries.
The Play
We have in-school play rehearsal on Friday mornings from 8:40 until 10:00 (first recess). Fran and I are sharing the hour and a half block from 10:30 until 12:00 for literacy and math instruction. Last week we began regearsals in play short courses, too. "Star Sisters" will be regearsing after school this Tuesday. I was impressed to learn that some kids have already memorized their lines.
Commenting
Charley figured out how to comment, so if you're having trouble check in with him. I think all you have to do is click on "comments" at the bottom of the post and follow directions.
Have a Great Week!
We have begun our second round of literature circles. There are five groups this time ranging from two to five students. The groups are interest based, as the kids all had the power to choose their next book. The five books we are reading are: Julie's Wolf Pack by Jean Craighead George, Loser by Jerry Spinelli, Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park, Half Magic by Edward Eager, and Frindle by Andrew Clements. You can support the work your child is doing in literature circles in many ways: talk about the book, read and discuss sections of your child's choosing, get a copy of the book and read along at home, talk about your child's literature circle job with her/him.
I will be teaching mini-lessons on storyline in conjunction with strategies for "filing away" and recalling details and events in text. The first of these will happen tomorrow. We will finally get to read The Raven-a porquois tale from the Native American Indians of the Pacific Northwest-as part of this lesson.
Remember to casually mention/remind your child about filling out the reading calendar if s/he is one to forget such things.
Writing
Students will be working on writing as a way to get to know themselves and figure out their social worlds, as they journal and we converse in writing about friendships. These entries/conversations will begin this week in conjunction with friendship group.
We have finished a series of lessons on contractions, and I have been noticing kids trying to incorporate contractions into their written work.
Spelling
Be looking in your mailboxes for your child's next set of spelling words. Most groups were assessed last week and are starting new sorts. I've heard kids mention that working with their words at home is helping them learn. Keep up the good work on the homefront.
Word Work
Last week the Omegas agreed on their goals of three words per week for O1s and four per week for O2s. We didn't take the goal seriously last week because kids were still learning how to complete the cards. The idea of collecting words seems to have caught on, and most (if not all) are enjoying the task.
Friendship Group
This week we will play Charades as we have fun comunicating with body language. Kids will be journaling about ways friends communicate, and I will be responding to their entries.
The Play
We have in-school play rehearsal on Friday mornings from 8:40 until 10:00 (first recess). Fran and I are sharing the hour and a half block from 10:30 until 12:00 for literacy and math instruction. Last week we began regearsals in play short courses, too. "Star Sisters" will be regearsing after school this Tuesday. I was impressed to learn that some kids have already memorized their lines.
Commenting
Charley figured out how to comment, so if you're having trouble check in with him. I think all you have to do is click on "comments" at the bottom of the post and follow directions.
Have a Great Week!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sage Literacy Lounge
We are in the middle/end of our second round of literature circles. You can support the work your child is doing in school by talking about the book s/he is reading and the different jobs s/he has held as a literature circle member.
For updates in spelling and word work, see those topics in teh Omega Update.
For updates in spelling and word work, see those topics in teh Omega Update.
Omega Update January 14, 2008
Reading
We are beginning new literature circles on Monday. Last week, the kids previewed a pile of books and selected their top three. Then we had a class meeting and sorted kids into book groups. Not all kids got one of their top three choices. However, those that did not agreed to read a different book. I will make sure those kids get on of their top picks next time, for sure. You can support what your child will be doing in literature circles by talking about the book s/he is reading and about his/her jobs (they change week to week).
Your child should be filling out his/her reading calendar each night s/he reads.
Spelling
It's life a normal in the world of spelling.
Writing
Students have been learning about contractions as part of morning meeting. Lst week, students brainstormed a huge list of contractions and came up with almost all of them! This week they will be sorting those contractions by common ending.
In conjunction with the play we saw at the Flynn, "Me, Me, Me," students have completed (or almost completed) a writing project that shows how the main character's problem could be solved. This project came about in a discussion after the performance in which students voiced their displeasure with the ending of the play. They felt that the ending was "abrupt" (an actual word used by an Omega 2) and didn't really end the story. They felt that they were left hanging. So two project choices emerged. One was writing a new ending. The other was interviewing a character. Look for these finished pieces in the hallway.
Word Work
I introduced the word boxes to students in a mini-lesson last week. We made a poster that shows the types of words kids can collect (spelling, words they like, and vocabulary words). I modeled how to fill out a word card and put those examples on the poster also. Then we set up the boxes. Students will begin collecting words this week. I'd like to start with the goal of three words/week for Omega 1s, 4 words/week for Omega 2s, and 5 words/week for Sages and Sagers.
Friendship
We are focusing on communication. Last week, students played a game in which they drew a simple geometric design and had to describe it to his/her partner in a detailed manner while the partner drew the design. Then they compared to see how much alike the two pictures looked. We did this once in the morning, talked about it, and wrote about it. The we tried it again in the afternoon. If you look on the bulletin board above the counter enxt to the sink, you can see the students' drawings.
This week we will focus on communication through body language. We will play a charade type game to practice using and interpreting body language.
Short Courses
We begin new rounds of short courses on Tuesday.
Announcements
*There is no school next Monday, January 21, as it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
*Kyla, a Tau in Joni's room, will be joining the Omegas for literacy.
*I know everyone is gearing up to be busy for the play, but I could still use about an hour of help once a week doing things like cutting out spelling words. If you are available anytime, please let me know, otherwise I'll sweet-talk Anu.
We are beginning new literature circles on Monday. Last week, the kids previewed a pile of books and selected their top three. Then we had a class meeting and sorted kids into book groups. Not all kids got one of their top three choices. However, those that did not agreed to read a different book. I will make sure those kids get on of their top picks next time, for sure. You can support what your child will be doing in literature circles by talking about the book s/he is reading and about his/her jobs (they change week to week).
Your child should be filling out his/her reading calendar each night s/he reads.
Spelling
It's life a normal in the world of spelling.
Writing
Students have been learning about contractions as part of morning meeting. Lst week, students brainstormed a huge list of contractions and came up with almost all of them! This week they will be sorting those contractions by common ending.
In conjunction with the play we saw at the Flynn, "Me, Me, Me," students have completed (or almost completed) a writing project that shows how the main character's problem could be solved. This project came about in a discussion after the performance in which students voiced their displeasure with the ending of the play. They felt that the ending was "abrupt" (an actual word used by an Omega 2) and didn't really end the story. They felt that they were left hanging. So two project choices emerged. One was writing a new ending. The other was interviewing a character. Look for these finished pieces in the hallway.
Word Work
I introduced the word boxes to students in a mini-lesson last week. We made a poster that shows the types of words kids can collect (spelling, words they like, and vocabulary words). I modeled how to fill out a word card and put those examples on the poster also. Then we set up the boxes. Students will begin collecting words this week. I'd like to start with the goal of three words/week for Omega 1s, 4 words/week for Omega 2s, and 5 words/week for Sages and Sagers.
Friendship
We are focusing on communication. Last week, students played a game in which they drew a simple geometric design and had to describe it to his/her partner in a detailed manner while the partner drew the design. Then they compared to see how much alike the two pictures looked. We did this once in the morning, talked about it, and wrote about it. The we tried it again in the afternoon. If you look on the bulletin board above the counter enxt to the sink, you can see the students' drawings.
This week we will focus on communication through body language. We will play a charade type game to practice using and interpreting body language.
Short Courses
We begin new rounds of short courses on Tuesday.
Announcements
*There is no school next Monday, January 21, as it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
*Kyla, a Tau in Joni's room, will be joining the Omegas for literacy.
*I know everyone is gearing up to be busy for the play, but I could still use about an hour of help once a week doing things like cutting out spelling words. If you are available anytime, please let me know, otherwise I'll sweet-talk Anu.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Omega Update, January 7, 2008
Flynn Theater Field Trip and Friendship Group
On Monday we are going to the Flynn Theater to see the play "Me, Me, Me." It is about classroom dynamics, rejection, exclusion, and inclusion. In conjunction with the performance, we have begun lessons on friendship. This will be our classroom theme/project during the next six weeks. On Friday, students brainstormed words they associate with friendship, i.e. relation, happiness, communication, belonging, sharing...Some activities we will enjoy are games that emphasize communication (verbal and physical), role playing conflict resolution scenarios, and reading and writing stories and poems about friendship. If there is a particular topic or skill you would like to see included in the friendship curriculum, if you have an idea for a lesson, or if you'd like to teach a lesson, let me know. You can see me in person, drop me a note or email, or reply to this post.
Reading
Students are in the process of completing and presenting their book projects from our first round of literature circles. Some students chose to act out a scene from the book. Others chose to write and perform a news report about their book. Still others are making a comic book or story board about the main events. Look for them in the hall.
This week students will select new books for the next round of literature circles. My goal is to have three choices for all students. I expect the second round will go a bit smoother as students will be more familiar with the process and expectations.
Spelling
Unfortunately, the vacation and end of a spelling sort did not coincide. Students are reviewing the spelling patterns they were working with when we went on break and picking up where they left off. Because our lives are pretty nuts around the holidays, I’m betting that many of you may have misplaced the spelling handout I passed out before the vacation. So I am reissuing the spelling words your child is currently working with so that you can continue to review at home. Most groups will be getting assessed on these words toward the end of the week. If your child has two handouts, it is because his/her assessment is coming up sooner than later and s/he will be moving on to another sort very soon.
I’d love some feedback on whether you find receiving the spelling words helpful. Do you need more ideas on what to do with them? Would you be willing to share what you do at home with other families?
Writing
Our writing project will focus around our theme of friendship. We write stories, poems, and non-fiction. I will be teaching mini-lessons on grammar, mechanics, and literary devices and will also work on these skills individually with children throughout the writing process. Some highlights of grammar and mechanics include contractions, combining sentences, punctuating complex and compound sentences, punctuating dialogue, and capitalizing proper nouns. Literary devices that we will work with include metaphors, similes, imagery, personification, alliteration, assonance, rhyme, repetition, and onomatopoeia.
Word Work
We will be beginning to collect words this week. Each student will have his/her own file box with alphabetized dividers. Students will complete cards for spelling words, vocabulary words (from literature circle or independent reading books), and funny or interesting words. This will reinforce spelling, serve as a resource, act as a personal dictionary, and hopefully motivate students to build stronger vocabularies.
Book Reviews
I am encouraging all students to complete book reviews upon finishing a book. There is a chart up in the room on which students earn a sticker for each review they complete. The reviews are often read by other students as they look for the next book that will interest them. The more reviews we have in our binder, the better a reference tool it is for the class.
Reading Calendar
I sent home new reading calendars for the month on January. Many students have returned their November/December calendar. If your child has misplaced his/her calendar, s/he can write a paragraph telling me what books s/he read and how often s/he reads at home. Then s/he needs to get you to sign the paragraph.
Parents have been reporting that students are enjoying tracking their home reading and that filling out the calendar has been both motivating and empowering. What's your child's experience been like?
On Monday we are going to the Flynn Theater to see the play "Me, Me, Me." It is about classroom dynamics, rejection, exclusion, and inclusion. In conjunction with the performance, we have begun lessons on friendship. This will be our classroom theme/project during the next six weeks. On Friday, students brainstormed words they associate with friendship, i.e. relation, happiness, communication, belonging, sharing...Some activities we will enjoy are games that emphasize communication (verbal and physical), role playing conflict resolution scenarios, and reading and writing stories and poems about friendship. If there is a particular topic or skill you would like to see included in the friendship curriculum, if you have an idea for a lesson, or if you'd like to teach a lesson, let me know. You can see me in person, drop me a note or email, or reply to this post.
Reading
Students are in the process of completing and presenting their book projects from our first round of literature circles. Some students chose to act out a scene from the book. Others chose to write and perform a news report about their book. Still others are making a comic book or story board about the main events. Look for them in the hall.
This week students will select new books for the next round of literature circles. My goal is to have three choices for all students. I expect the second round will go a bit smoother as students will be more familiar with the process and expectations.
Spelling
Unfortunately, the vacation and end of a spelling sort did not coincide. Students are reviewing the spelling patterns they were working with when we went on break and picking up where they left off. Because our lives are pretty nuts around the holidays, I’m betting that many of you may have misplaced the spelling handout I passed out before the vacation. So I am reissuing the spelling words your child is currently working with so that you can continue to review at home. Most groups will be getting assessed on these words toward the end of the week. If your child has two handouts, it is because his/her assessment is coming up sooner than later and s/he will be moving on to another sort very soon.
I’d love some feedback on whether you find receiving the spelling words helpful. Do you need more ideas on what to do with them? Would you be willing to share what you do at home with other families?
Writing
Our writing project will focus around our theme of friendship. We write stories, poems, and non-fiction. I will be teaching mini-lessons on grammar, mechanics, and literary devices and will also work on these skills individually with children throughout the writing process. Some highlights of grammar and mechanics include contractions, combining sentences, punctuating complex and compound sentences, punctuating dialogue, and capitalizing proper nouns. Literary devices that we will work with include metaphors, similes, imagery, personification, alliteration, assonance, rhyme, repetition, and onomatopoeia.
Word Work
We will be beginning to collect words this week. Each student will have his/her own file box with alphabetized dividers. Students will complete cards for spelling words, vocabulary words (from literature circle or independent reading books), and funny or interesting words. This will reinforce spelling, serve as a resource, act as a personal dictionary, and hopefully motivate students to build stronger vocabularies.
Book Reviews
I am encouraging all students to complete book reviews upon finishing a book. There is a chart up in the room on which students earn a sticker for each review they complete. The reviews are often read by other students as they look for the next book that will interest them. The more reviews we have in our binder, the better a reference tool it is for the class.
Reading Calendar
I sent home new reading calendars for the month on January. Many students have returned their November/December calendar. If your child has misplaced his/her calendar, s/he can write a paragraph telling me what books s/he read and how often s/he reads at home. Then s/he needs to get you to sign the paragraph.
Parents have been reporting that students are enjoying tracking their home reading and that filling out the calendar has been both motivating and empowering. What's your child's experience been like?
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