Every week I introduce a new poem to the class. These poems are used to teach phonics and word work. Our routine includes reading the poem throughout the week several times together, students highlighting high-frequency words and letters and putting a phrase from the poem in order using a pocket chart. By using these smaller pieces of text with a young reader helps them develop the skills they need as they learn new reading strategies and how to read independently.
As the year begins we slowly build our poetry library. Each student has a poetry folder for each poem and they are able to ready independently and with a partner throughout the week. They absolutely love reading their poems because of the success they feel! Many students ask to read from their poetry folder throughout the day. It's great! Along with their poetry folders we work on putting a phrase together from each poem. We always begin in whole group first and then that phrase is added to a literacy station. You can set up your station just about anywhere in your classroom. I have seen teachers set their stations in the smallest of nooks in their rooms and it works fabulously. I just went with a pocket chart I already had in my stash with an easel we use during whole group. We just transform in a matter of seconds for stations. You can easily use a smaller pocket chart standing or on a table. Do what works for you and your students. This past week I was able to capture one of my small groups working together to put a phrase together from one of our poems, Ants on a Hill. Our classroom is in need of a few items to help improve the environment. These items help us stay organized, focused and safe.
I decided to write a brief post on this topic due to professional and personal experiences. It seems that there are more and more children experiencing anxiety and fewer and fewer adults who know how to deal with the child. Many people who do not experience anxiety themselves have a really difficult time empathizing and understanding where the child is coming from. They think they know what to say or do but often say and do the wrong thing. They don't do this because they mean to but simply because they are trying the best with what they have at the time. Taking time to learn more about anxiety in children needs to be at the top of the list.
What we, as adults, need to first know is that what the child is experiencing is real, they can't just make it stop. One of the most important things I learned, by trial and error, well a lot of error, is that saying "just get over it" isn't the best path. They can't "just get over it." They would love to get over it and if it were that simple they would have by now. They don't like the experience of anxiety any more than the adult enjoys dealing with their behavior as a result of the anxiety. We have to acknowledge what they are feeling as real and help them work through it as calm and safe as possible. This is where patience comes in. I know, it is easier said than done but trust me, you will be much happier in the end. I found a great article on Toddler Approved that is helpful. If you have a child at home, in your family or at school that experiences anxiety and you are having trouble helping them then check out this blog. Hopefully you will walk away with some strategies to use or understanding into what they are dealing with everyday. Toddler Approved Blog |
AuthorLeti Hernandez Archives
October 2015
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