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!

Look Around at All the Colorful Leaves!

                     

We're going on a leaf hunt.  We're going right away. 

Let's find colorful leaves.  It's a wonderful day!

Yesterday we read the story "We're Going on a Leaf Hunt". We asked and answered questions using question words: who, what and where to identify characters, setting and events. Today the students were intrigued by a "Leaf Man" and all of the places he goes. As we continued to collaborate about the two texts the students were able to build their reader's understanding by going on an actual leaf hunt. Tomorrow we will continue our adventures in becoming readers and writers!

 

 

 

  

Morning Word Study

We are having fun using our reading strategies Eagle Eye, Lips the Fish and Stretchy the Snake to make new words. One of our favorite activities is Rime Time by Dr. Jean! Today our focus was on the "an", "et", "ot, and "ike" word families. 

Also we are having fun with our letters and sounds. We are beginning to recognize the vowels and consonants. One of our favorite songs is Jack Hartmann's Vowel Sounds 

Taking all of our new knowledge and making words and beginning to write sentences. Love beginning our day with the study of words!

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

Morning Message and Word Study

Who is the next contestant on "What is your name?"

The students began to complete the predictable sentences by finding their name, age and favorite color. Then they read the sentences by pointing to the words and going onto the next sentence to continue their reading. 

Literacy in the Morning!

How Can You Read a Book?

Today when I asked my students how I could read The Hello, Goodbye Window one student said with your glasses. I told them they were correct but then I asked them how they would read the book if I gave it to them. One of the little boys said with a DVD. I informed him we didn't have a DVD so he then said well then you need to look at the pictures. PRICELESS!

Doing a rich picture walk is the first step to reading a book! After we explored the mentor text the students received their own book. The book Animal Costumes is a wordless book. The students shared with each other what they thought the photos were about in the book. They also chose their favorite photo and told their partners why they liked it.

 

 

A Closer Look at Day 2 of Kindergarten 2016-2017

Day 2 of Kindergarten

First Day Jitters!

Researching Community Helpers

Last week parents and family members came into our classroom and shared information about their jobs. The students built their understanding by listening and asking questions. A special thank you to:

Laura Glover, Katherine Tagalos,

Josh and Jenny Chiamulera, 

Kathy Dolch, Kristi Pospychala,  

Dr. Bobbi Voermans and Billie Skubal.

Today the students chose the occupation they wanted to do more research on. Students are using many informational texts and e-books to find facts. See their choices below:

After the students read and record their information they will begin to make their Community Helper poster using the app and create a report using Google Documents.

Take a look at some of the posters that were finished today!

 

 

 

RI.1.3 , RI 1.4, RI.1.5 and W.1.2, W.1.5,W.1.6