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.

I PICK MY BOOKS!

I PICK!

Today's reading lesson focused on the reading strategy I PICK!

I choose a book.

Purpose ~ Why do I want to read it?

Interest ~ Do I like it?

Comprehend ~ Do I understand what I am reading?

Know ~ Do I know most of the words?

When students choose a book it should be a good fit. Choosing a book is like buying a new pair of shoes. We have different shoes for different activities or events. My students were so excited to go shopping for books that didn't cost anything. They were introduced to the genres: Rhyming/Poetry, Fantasy, Animal Stories, Beginning Stories, Silly Stories and Magazines

I AM A WRITER!

Today I read the story Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell. 

After reading the students found a place somewhere in the room where they could think about their connection to the story. What is something the remembered or saw in the text that relates to them. When they had their idea they began to write about it.

Next the students shared their writing with a partner. Their partner told them something they liked about their writing and also shared with them some suggestions to add more details!

 

A Closer Look at Day 2 of Kindergarten 2016-2017

Day 2 of Kindergarten

OLYMPICS, READING AND PRESENTATIONS!

A beautiful day for all school Olympics and then Reading, Relatives and Rootbeer and finally sharing our Research Presentations using +Biteslide !

Congratulations to our own students who placed in the top five!

How To Be A Wormologist

Our Spring Trip to CAVOC gave us the opportunity to become wormologists.  A Wormologist is a person who cares about worms as living things and also realizes their importance to our Earth.

How To Be a Wormologist

To learn more about worms read the book Yucky Worms by Vivian French!  

Reading is So Much Fun!

Shared Reading today included adding some actions to our story!

Hope to see you all next Friday, May 29, 2015 

for our Performance of UCKY DUCK!

All About Who? and What Laura Numeroff Book Will We Choose?

Working hard to make our books about our favorite character in a series of books by Laura Numeroff.  

 

May Family Project - A Timeline of Ourselves!

Excitement was in their voices this morning as they shared the story of themselves! Look forward to hearing more tomorrow!

Why Are Bugs Important to Our Earth?

Bug Off!

Presented by Mrs. Lieck’s Kindergarten Students on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 8:30 a.m.

As we recognize Earth Day across the world today my students have been learning why the bugs are important to be on this Earth.  The students have been making reading fun by reading this narrative nonfiction script.  In this Reader’s Theater, Matt didn’t like bugs!  In fact he wished they would all just bug off!  One day, while Matt was trying to eat lunch in his backyard, four bugs came to visit him.  They bugged him, of course, and worse than that, they wouldn't leave!  Find out what Matt learned from his “buggy” new friends by joining us this Friday!

The cast is listed below:

Matt - Tripp, Abe and Presley

The Fly - Benjamin

The Ladybug - Vivian, June and Richie

The Ant - Hailey and Carter

The Bee - Kali, Kara and Emma

All bugs - Emmaline, Mikenzie, Madelyn and Destiny

You Will Simply Be Amazed!

Check out the link below to view the students opinion writing using the program Biteslide!

Formulating Our Opinions and Sharing What We Have Learned!

Would You Choose the Country Life or City Life?

This week the students are comparing and contrasting the country and the city.  They each chose where they would like to live and then began to write an opinion paper.  Today the students began typing up their opinion.

 

 

Special Inside Recess Surprise!

A group of my previous students came in to our classroom today during their inside recess to help teach the students the actions to our song!  It was so fun to watch them work together and shine so brightly as they shared their love for music and learning with the students.  Made my heart smile :)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!!

Check out our fun day with Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss!

Oobleck Creation in Mrs. Lieck's Kindergarten!

It was a great way to begin Read Across America and Celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Check out all the fun we had learning today!

HODAG PAW STORE BROUGHT TO US!

A special thank you to Ms. Morois and Mr. K for bringing the HODAG Paw Store to us today.

Close Reading, Nutrition, An All About Me and Hopefully Soon Cross Country Skiing!

Which forest animal will we choose to do our Research on?  

Learning about healthy food choices with Miss Ginger at UW Extension!

We learned a lot about Hailey in her All About Me!

Will we get to go Cross Country Skiing soon ?