Literacy

 

 

 

This is not the Phonics program that we also do that many of you are familiar with. (Read, Write, Inc) This month we have been focusing on reading stories and checking to see how well the students understood it. In the past, just asking questions has not been very exciting for them and only a few were happy to participate. This ball changed everything! It's from a reading program that I learned about while earning my  Master's degree in teaching. Suddenly, to the children, it becomes more like a fun game and as you can see they were more attentive and listening well.

 

After the story is read, I throw the ball to one student at a time and say a colour. If they can, they read the question or I read it with them or to them. They either answer it or can ask a friend for help or ask for one more different question. We do this until we have answered every question on the ball. We do it twice so that every child has a chance to answer and if there are still someone who hasn't but wants to, I will just ask any question after throwing them the ball. They love it when we do this and it has helped A LOT with their willingness to talk about what they remember, and has helped me know more about what they remember or understood about the book. Questions include, "Where was the setting" / "Where did the story take place?" "What happened in the beginning?" "What happened in the story?" "What happened at the end?" "Who or what was in the story?" "What was your favourite part?" "Who was it written by?" I also ask more questions depending on what type of story it was. ("What was an adjective you remember?" "Were there any rhyming words?")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This activity was a "Group Write." Since we did not have the book, we listened to and watched the story a couple of times on You Tube. We discussed it over a few days during literacy and they also drew pictures of characters in the story. In the above group activity, each student took a turn and wrote out part of the story. I followed the same format as the ball (the questions) if they didn't know what to write or I would start the sentence. It gave them practice reading out loud what was already written, writing while sounding out words, and putting part of a story in language that made sense to them. It is posted by the display of the castles, dragons and princesses they drew as that is what the story was about.  (I will take a picture ASAP) :)  They were very proud of themselves after we read this together. I was very proud, too!

 

 

 

 

 

This was different than the above because they each wrote their own version of another story and drew what they wanted to from the book. It was interesting to see what they all chose to draw and what they wrote because their pictures/displays were all very different from one another's. As with other subjects, I have seen a big improvement in their creativity in both their drawing and their memory of stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When their work is finished, or during indoor breaks or "Golden Time" (where they choose what they want to do) we make available as many educational activities as possible. Since the back of the classroom had a large felt board I made letters for them to spell simple words with and for some, to practice saying the sound of the letter. There are also cute pictures (top left show some) on the board and some ask to move that to the red (where they spell the word) and put it beside the spelled word. There are animals, people, places and things. I do not ask them to go and do this; they choose to which is great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This was during an indoor break. I put out as many educational games and activities and do some with them which makes them want to do them more thankfully! They can choose to play or do anything but this entire group of children (whole class!) LOVE to learn and it shows! Here, we spelled our names using letter blocks and threaded them into a necklace. (they only wore them for the picture, I admit I wore mine longer which made them laugh) :)

 

 

 

 

The school has many, many resources but sometimes I see things I cannot resist buying! This was one of them. They ask a lot for it during indoor breaks or when they arrive in the morning. It's call "Fishing for Letters." I explained "Magnets" to them and that the "fishing pole" (wooden) has a magnet on it, and so do all the letters when they are turned over. They each pick a word from the ones that are there and take turns until they "fish" (find) the letters to spell their words. Other times, they spell their own word, and some play by themselves without the "fishing" part and try to spell out words. There are many things to do with this one simple game and they are always learning! (while having fun)

 

 

 

 

 

Since there was already a number mat, I brought a letter mat/puzzle. They love to take it apart and put it together again. (the letters come out too) It shows great team work! Depending on the child's level of English, we talk about colours, letter sounds, what word starts with that letter etc. (one on one or in a small group)  For some, I ask them to go to each letter in a simple word like they were spelling it. (eg: cat) There are shapes as well. Other times, it is used as another soft place to sit and play games or read.