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. We are now 5 weeks into the school year and are working very hard in all subjects. Today, I am going to share what we are doing in Writing. At the beginning of the school year we work a lot on producing a plan for our writing. This year I have many students who are lacking basic and critical skills needed for writing. I am sure that all Kindergarten teachers out there can relate to my concerns. Nonetheless, I am taking those babies and sprinkling as much of my magic dust upon them as I can.
I have tried my best to address everything I need to during my writing demonstrations as possible but I know that there hasn't been enough time due to all our required assessments. We won't go there today, that is another book all on it's own. I firmly believe in providing students with examples and explicit instructions so that there are no gray areas or they are left at a minimum as much as possible. I strive at providing my students with clear expectations and will do anything I can do to support them along the way. Today we created an anchor chart for writing. I really liked a chart I saw on Pinterest so I used their idea. However, it doesn't link to the original author so I am unable to give credit where it is due. If you know who the master mind is behind this chart let me know. I want to give them credit! Every day I have students tell me that they are finished when they are clearly not or when they literally just sat down to write 2 minutes earlier...so not enough time to complete writing. To try to eliminate this problem and provide them with clear expectations of what I am asking them to do, we created our anchor chart for writing. You will still have some that will need your kind reminder everyday and who may need it all year long. However, on the upside, it will help the majority of the class and they will become more productive during independent writing. |
AuthorLeti Hernandez Archives
October 2015
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