Sunday, February 22, 2015

Literacy Update

Since the start of the year, the children have engaged in a wide range of reading and writing learning.  As their skills and growing awareness continue to develop, I introduce new concepts while reinforcing/reviewing what's been previously taught.  One size does not fit all and I work hard to provide both support and challenge.  

While I certainly have key skills/concepts to monitor for each child, I remain eager to also create a community of learners who enjoy reading to themselves and with their peers, as well as listening to stories read aloud, and engaging in book talks where the richness of our ideas can grow and be shared.  Stay tuned for more information about our READ ACROSS AMERICA celebration coming up the first week of March.  Inspired by Dr. Seuss, Memorial students and staff will be digging into more great reading fun that week.

We are entering another assessment period where I will be further assessing skills in the following literacy areas:

-  reading connected text, including being able to demonstrate comprehension through oral retelling and responding to post-reading reflection questions
-  sight word reading and spelling
-  progress in the area of phonics, both for reading and spelling
-  written language development, including use of mechanics, writing complete sentences and attending to details so that written work makes sense and is sequenced

Through weekly lessons and word building practice, we have begun studying long vowel patterns, especially the role of "silent e".  We will also be learning about long "vowel teams" (i.e.  ee, ea, ai, ay, oa, ie, etc).  These phonics skills are broader and more complex, and therefore take lots more time to practice and integrate into daily reading and writing contexts.

The children are working hard each day.  We have lots more to learn in the days ahead!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions about anything happening here in Room 10.




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