We have been working with non-fiction text structures and will continue to work with comprehension strategies for non-fiction text as we move into our next round of research. Students are currently working with text patterns within paragraphs. The reasoning behind this instruction is that if students are reading expository text and not understanding it, but they can identify the text structure, they then have a framework through which to examine and comprehend the information.
The exception to non-fiction lessons will occur on the Monday after vacation because I will not yet be back at school. On Monday, students will begin a project in which they will design their own book covers for a book of their choice. This project is the reason why I have requested cereal boxes (empty please). We will probably spend most of the first week back working on our book covers.
I am trying to get all students to a good breaking point in their spelling work before the vacation. It would be nice if students could complete all the work and be assessed on their word sets before the break, but we'll have to see how it pans out.
As always, please feel free to chat with me about the work your child is doing, how s/he is feeling about literacy class, concerns, or ideas.
:) Rachel
Monday, February 18, 2008
Omega Update
Reading
We are finishing up literature circles this week. There may be some groups, though, who do not finish. Those students will be encouraged to finish reading their book over the vacation. When we come back from the winter break, students will be designing a new book cover (front and back) for their literature circle book. It is this activity that caused me to request cereal boxes (empty, please).
Writing
We are wrapping up current writing projects and doing free writes in which students can write about anything they choose. When we come back from the vacation, we will start to take a close look at the writing pieces we want to include in our class book-a compilation of students' work-and what types of pieces we still need to write in order to have substantial variety. Students will also be illustrating some of their writing pieces.
Spelling
My goal is that all students will complete their work with their current word set this week. Then we'll start fresh when we return in March. Students who finish early in the week will work with "brain teaser" word puzzles. They will be allowed to work cooperatively, as the puzzles can be challenging. Those students who need all week to finish the work with their spelling words will work on word puzzles when we return from the break, so that I can stagger the spelling groups for management purposes.
Friendship Group
This week we will be working more with conflict resolution. The students have practiced using the "I feel...I want" language in role playing situations. This week we are going to create a conflict resolution ladder that will act as an aid in following the steps in the process. I'll need a parent volunteer to take the ladder to Staples to be laminated. Hopefully, the ladder will be a resource for the SH community.
Cultural Display
I have been thinking about what direction I want to take with our upcoming study of Native American Indians. In accordance with my style/theme/role, I want to focus our classroom study on the Native American's connection to the land...living by cycles and seasons, agriculture, shelters, etc. I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions. Maybe we could have a mid-year potluck/brainstorming party? Let me know what you think.
FYI
I will be absent on the Monday and Tuesday after break (March 3 and 4). Dew will be my sub on Monday, and Amy (Lonna's mom) will sub for me on Tuesday.
We are finishing up literature circles this week. There may be some groups, though, who do not finish. Those students will be encouraged to finish reading their book over the vacation. When we come back from the winter break, students will be designing a new book cover (front and back) for their literature circle book. It is this activity that caused me to request cereal boxes (empty, please).
Writing
We are wrapping up current writing projects and doing free writes in which students can write about anything they choose. When we come back from the vacation, we will start to take a close look at the writing pieces we want to include in our class book-a compilation of students' work-and what types of pieces we still need to write in order to have substantial variety. Students will also be illustrating some of their writing pieces.
Spelling
My goal is that all students will complete their work with their current word set this week. Then we'll start fresh when we return in March. Students who finish early in the week will work with "brain teaser" word puzzles. They will be allowed to work cooperatively, as the puzzles can be challenging. Those students who need all week to finish the work with their spelling words will work on word puzzles when we return from the break, so that I can stagger the spelling groups for management purposes.
Friendship Group
This week we will be working more with conflict resolution. The students have practiced using the "I feel...I want" language in role playing situations. This week we are going to create a conflict resolution ladder that will act as an aid in following the steps in the process. I'll need a parent volunteer to take the ladder to Staples to be laminated. Hopefully, the ladder will be a resource for the SH community.
Cultural Display
I have been thinking about what direction I want to take with our upcoming study of Native American Indians. In accordance with my style/theme/role, I want to focus our classroom study on the Native American's connection to the land...living by cycles and seasons, agriculture, shelters, etc. I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions. Maybe we could have a mid-year potluck/brainstorming party? Let me know what you think.
FYI
I will be absent on the Monday and Tuesday after break (March 3 and 4). Dew will be my sub on Monday, and Amy (Lonna's mom) will sub for me on Tuesday.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Sage Literacy Lounge, Feb. 5
The Sages and Sagers have finished reading their second literature circle book and are working on book projects. The students who read The Giver are writing the next chapter in the story. Those who read Hatchet are making spoof comic strips. The kids who read Nothing But the Truth are writing a talk-show interview of the main character.
Life is continuing on as normal with spelling and word work. The Sages and aSagers set a goal of colecting five words per week in their word boxes. These can be spelling words (any word the student needs to know how to spell, not just those from the spelling program), words they like, or vocabulary words.
One change that I've instituted recently is that of making plans. Every Monday the students make a chart that includes the days of the week and all possible areas of literacy work. Each day they check off what they worked on. In this way, the students can hold themselves more accountable for staying on task and completing their work.
Wednesday or Thursday I plan to begin lessons about reading and comprehending non-fiction text. We will be taking a close look at text structures such as titles, headings, sub-headings, captions, and bold-faced words. We will also be analyzing the text itself in regards to the internal text structure: cause and effect, main idea and supporting details, sequence, a list... The purpose of these lessons will be to add strategies to your child's reading comprehension toolbox that s/he can use when dealing with more complex written information. As your child gets further on in the school years, they no longer will be learning to read, but rather, they will be reading to learn. This is coming up quickly for our Sagers, and I want to make sure they are prepared to meet the more difficult reading tasks head on and with knowledge to guide them.
Life is continuing on as normal with spelling and word work. The Sages and aSagers set a goal of colecting five words per week in their word boxes. These can be spelling words (any word the student needs to know how to spell, not just those from the spelling program), words they like, or vocabulary words.
One change that I've instituted recently is that of making plans. Every Monday the students make a chart that includes the days of the week and all possible areas of literacy work. Each day they check off what they worked on. In this way, the students can hold themselves more accountable for staying on task and completing their work.
Wednesday or Thursday I plan to begin lessons about reading and comprehending non-fiction text. We will be taking a close look at text structures such as titles, headings, sub-headings, captions, and bold-faced words. We will also be analyzing the text itself in regards to the internal text structure: cause and effect, main idea and supporting details, sequence, a list... The purpose of these lessons will be to add strategies to your child's reading comprehension toolbox that s/he can use when dealing with more complex written information. As your child gets further on in the school years, they no longer will be learning to read, but rather, they will be reading to learn. This is coming up quickly for our Sagers, and I want to make sure they are prepared to meet the more difficult reading tasks head on and with knowledge to guide them.
Omega Update, Feb. 5
Reading
Literature Circle groups are going smoothly...or as smoothly as possible with five groups going at once. I think the kids are enjoying the books, for the most part. There may be a few who did not get their choice this time around and are not so enthralled with their story. However, those kids will definitely get one of their choices next time around.
Spelling
Things are moving along as usual.
Writing
Kids have been working on "A Tale of Two Friends," a story of two friends who have a miscommunication and how they get beyond it. This story, as you may have figured out, is also part of our learning in Friendship Group.
Word Work
Students have been filling out word cards and putting them in their word boxes. I will be checking in and checking up on their work today.
Book Reviews
We had a short lesson on writing informative, interesting, and user-friendly book reviews last week. Hopefully, this will result in higher-quality reviews for our class book. Kids are definitely getting more interested in writing and reading other people's reviews. They're also working for those stickers on the chart.
Friendship Group
We have been working with communication via words, body language, and tone of voice. Last week we played with saying the same words with a different tone and communicating a different message. This week we are working with communication for conflict resolution. Kids are learning the steps to take in resolving a conflict and some options for respectful language. We are focusing on the "I feel/I want" message. For example, "I feel bad when you cut me in line. I want you to get behind me."
Literature Circle groups are going smoothly...or as smoothly as possible with five groups going at once. I think the kids are enjoying the books, for the most part. There may be a few who did not get their choice this time around and are not so enthralled with their story. However, those kids will definitely get one of their choices next time around.
Spelling
Things are moving along as usual.
Writing
Kids have been working on "A Tale of Two Friends," a story of two friends who have a miscommunication and how they get beyond it. This story, as you may have figured out, is also part of our learning in Friendship Group.
Word Work
Students have been filling out word cards and putting them in their word boxes. I will be checking in and checking up on their work today.
Book Reviews
We had a short lesson on writing informative, interesting, and user-friendly book reviews last week. Hopefully, this will result in higher-quality reviews for our class book. Kids are definitely getting more interested in writing and reading other people's reviews. They're also working for those stickers on the chart.
Friendship Group
We have been working with communication via words, body language, and tone of voice. Last week we played with saying the same words with a different tone and communicating a different message. This week we are working with communication for conflict resolution. Kids are learning the steps to take in resolving a conflict and some options for respectful language. We are focusing on the "I feel/I want" message. For example, "I feel bad when you cut me in line. I want you to get behind me."
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