Welcome to 2007-08 school year

Article posted September 16, 2007 at 03:23 PM GMT0 • Reads 596

Welcome! We have begun a new school year and have completed a little over 3 weeks of school. The children are learning the ins and outs of school and my expectations in the classroom. One thing we do almost every day is write. I model writing on a daily basis, then the children draw a picture at the top of the page in their journal. When their drawing is completed each child comes to me for assistance in writing about the picture. I "turtle talk" - stretch out the word. The children write the sounds they hear in each word. When they are finished, I write their sentence in "adult writing" underneath the "kid writing" they have done. This process comes from an excellent book Kid Writing. We will soon begin posting some of the writing on this blog to share with others. I hope you enjoy their writing and see their development as writers!

First Postings

Article posted September 18, 2007 at 11:20 PM GMT0 • Reads 35

Today the first of my students posted their writing on our blog. Michael & Shaelyn both typed an entry from their journal. Please, please keep in mind we are beginning writers and I am thrilled to have them write any sound they hear! You can click on their names to read their entries.

MUCH effort was also put into the actual word processing, i.e. typing. This also is a long process and we are learning.

The children write their entries in "Kid Writing". Their articles come to my email before they are published for my OK. I try to add the "Adult Writing" to aid in the translation - especially at this stage of the year.

Such Growth!

Article posted January 22, 2008 at 10:49 PM GMT0 • Reads 42

I continue to be amazed by the growth the children are showing! They are truly sponges - soaking up the information and instruction I throw at them. They are becoming very confident in their writing. I hope you will check out their latest postings. I have to thank Shaelyn's mom. As a classroom volunteer she assist the children in the publishing of their writing on the blog site. Thank you, Peggy!

3 letter words

Article posted January 28, 2008 at 10:00 PM GMT0 • Reads 42

We have been working in class on Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) words. The children are instructed to tap out each sound of a 3 letter (CVC) unknown word on their fingertips, then blend them together. They can also do this process to sound out words in their writing. Your child can read any of the following words:

cat rat fat mat tan man ran fan

did hid lid hop top lop mop pop

Try practicing this skill at home:)

Linda

SNOW!

Article posted February 27, 2008 at 02:47 PM GMT0 • Reads 40

I, for one, am so tired of snow! The weather has made it so difficult to have any continuity in our learning. The children have had so few "regular" days lately. Try as I might, I cannot fit a full day's teaching into 2 hours less on those delay days:)

Even with all the days off and delays, I can see such gains. The children are gaining in confidence in their abilities and it shows in their reading, writing, math...everything! I love this time of year in the classroom. The boys and girls and I have become a family. We are comfortable with each other, know each other's strengths and weaknesses, know each other's personalities. The children have learned so much and they are able to put it to use. Kindergarten is a little slower in the visual output at the beginning of the year - we have so much to learn! But during those winter months we are able to churn out nice finished products. I love what I see from January on. I guess that is what makes these many snow days such a drag... that and the fact we now have 3 days to make up:( I look for us to be in school on Monday, March 24th and Friday, May 30th. Don't have a clue on the other make up day.

Spring!

Article posted April 10, 2008 at 11:05 PM GMT0 • Reads 880

Finally, spring is here! With the longer days and warmer weather comes great growth among the children. I am amazed every day when the read to me from their reading books or when they read to me what they have written. This time of year is why I love kindergarten. I can reflect on the year and see what my teaching has accomplished. Talk about a "feel good" day! The children continue to amaze me, even after all my years of teaching! In the fall I always question whether I will be successful with my new class and every spring I look back at their growth. Ahhhh!