This date 35 years ago I became a mom! My first son was born early in the morning after a lengthy labor. He has been a joy in my life from day one, and now he is a father to three little boys of his own. Time goes so quickly! I should have known
then that my life’s calling would be teaching young children. How can you not love being around five-year-olds? They are brand new to academia, and ready to face challenges on many levels. The key word in that previous sentence is “challenge”. It is imperative that we challenge our students to perform to the very height of their potential! We owe it to them to make EVERY day a day of fun, of intrigue from asking the right questions and of LEARNING. That learning can be something incredible, or it can be a stair step along the way to something really big. Whatever we do with each day will make or break an opportunity to learn. I wake up every day and think to myself, “I must do my best to make them smile while they learn, because happy learning is learning that sticks. Make the learning stick!”
How can this be accomplished each day? By looking at each child as though they were the only child in the room. Listen intently, and respond in a way they understand. Kids are really smart when it comes to feeling respected by the adults in charge of them. Talk to them, not over them.
I am working this week on planning a schedule that allows me to work with every group of readers every day. As the year progresses I will work more intensively with those who need extra support, and switch to making reading for my on and above level kids all about strategies. When taught the proper “hook” as they read, students will use strategies and become more fluent readers. For students who need that additional support, we will play lots of games that require thinking about sound placement in words, and we’ll write to record our progress.
I have an idea for your guided groups this coming year: Make a little notepad for each quarter for students to record the written part of their guided group lessons. You will see loads of progress by the end of each grading period. Just cut old copy paper in fourths and staple together–it’s not fancy, and it recycles excess copy paper. Here is my first “thoughts” schedule for the new year. I know the times will be tweaked, and the groups will be manipulated to fit in those who need more intervention, but it’s a start!
What am I doing this week? I’m re-covering my bucket seat cushions with a pretty primary blue.
And what else is going on? I’m having a quick 4th of July SALE at TpT! If you are beginning to plan for instruction or decorating with purpose, I’ve got you covered!
And if you are a novice when it comes to Twitter, come on over to our Twitter chat practice tonight at 9:00 EST. It is going to be moderated by a really fun lady, our own Debbie Clement, aka Kweezlequeen! Here is the information for the chat, and all teachers are welcome to participate.
Just put #TeacherFriends in the search bar on your Twitter account, and direct each comment you make by ending it with the same hashtag #TeacherFriends. Be sure to introduce yourself! There are NO mistakes with this chat. We are all trying to learn how to have a meaningful interaction with other teachers, so don’t be shy!
Now, if you click on my Facebook icon, you’ll see what I am giving away on the 4th. It is one of my favorite products, and it lasts all year long!
And here is the FREEBIE! A cute little poster to help your littles remember b and d directionality. 🙂
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