We have been focusing on reading strategies and corresponding tasks that students will need to know to participate in literature circles. Kids have been asking when we are going to start them. We have just a couple more lessons before I present books and kids get to make choices. I will have three literature circle groups. The groupings are loosely based on students’ reading levels and what they are interested in reading. I do not select the humongous sci-fi or romance type books that many kids read independently. My goal is to give students exposure to genres and authors they typically don’t read independently. It can sometimes be challenging to select books that they have not already read and that they will enjoy. If you have any suggestions, please suggest away! I prefer books under or around 200 pages that are not in the genres of sci-fi and romance.
Spelling is well under way. Some students have already moved on to their second set of words. Some students will be doing vocabulary work as part of their spelling assignments this year. All students will do vocabulary work as part of literature circles. Students have word boxes to collect vocabulary words, words they like, and words with which they have trouble. We will work with definitions, synonyms and antonyms, using the words in context, and using context clues to figure out unknown words.
I also want to tell you that I am so totally enjoying teaching the Sage/Sager group. They have gelled well, work well independently and together, and participate appropriately in lessons. They are a pleasure!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment