Engaging Young Learners in Reading

How do we support young learners when they begin Kindergarten to enjoy reading and writing?  In my classroom there is a lot of modeling and practice.  Students dive right into getting their hands on books that first day of school.  They know that they are the ones that choose their books.

    

With the help of many mentor texts students explore the different ways to read books and to find that perfect reading spot  Having a friend to read to is always extra special too!

Today the students were shown how to use the Stop and Go Reading Mats as tools during Reader's Workshop.  Instruction begins with walking up the "Party Ladder" of reading and building the understanding of how we set ourselves up for reading.

A Glimpse at Our First Week

Check Out a Few Things
We Did This Week

We have been so busy this week in Kindergarten … making new friends, learning
and playing together, and sharing things about us.

Have you heard of “Jitter Juice”?  Ask your child as it is magic and its yummy!

During Writer’s Workshop the students have been looking into their hearts
to see what makes them happy.  They needed to really think about how they would
illustrate the topics that made them happy. Each day they added a little bit
more detail and then when finished they shared their heart map on Seesaw!

In Reader’s Workshop the students are practicing how to pick their own books to read.
They learned a new song “I Pick” and have begun to explore books with their
reading friends.  Also we have introduced the first strategy of reading called Eagle Eye.
This reminds students to use the pictures to help them understand what they
are reading. Their learning targets are:

I can do a picture walk and talk about what the pictures are.

I can point to the words and know words are separated by spaces.

I can practice reading the book.

Today they practice these strategies with their book "Favorite Food".  

Have a beautiful weekend!