Spring Climbing 2014

Collaborating with Preschoolers

So many great things happened on our first fieldwork with our new buddies over at the preschool.  It warmed my heart to see them reading books side by side.  I watched them collaborating as they gently led their preschooler from center to center and often is was the preschooler leading my children! My first graders learned what it is like to be a teacher!  A new found respect for Ms. Mary Beth, if even for just one day!

A Whole Lot of Reading Going On

The children have come so far as readers! My heart is bursting with joy as I watch each of them take off!  We are learning that reading happens across the curriculum. Here one group is collaborating on their expert text article about worms in Expedition. 

I

We are doing such great things in Reader's Workshop and Guided Reading, too many for me to write about here, but this chart  is something to be thinking about and asking me about at Listening conferences.

Every day we use these thinking tools as we interact with the chapter book I'm reading, Anna Hibiscus, or in a guided reading group led by me.  I'd love to share this with you when we meet.  I know this is hard to read but you can check it out when you are in the room and we can chat about it.

Please ask your children about the chapter book I'm reading to them about a little girl who lives in Africa.  We are learning  some new African vocabulary words.  One way I'm teaching this is to "read around the word" to get context clues about what the word could mean.  Sometimes we have to search on google.  We decided to write to the author, Atinuke, about the meaning of a bubba and a wrappa.  We went to her blog page and are waiting for a response.  

Winter Voyage 2

Patrol 2's pictures are here for you to enjoy!

Winter Voyage 2014

This our first visit to the Douglas County Outdoor Ed Center in Larkspur.  Ask your child about hunting for treasure using mapping skills, strapping on snowshoes, sledding down a norh slope, and team building skills with Ms. Ann.  With the exception of a bloody nose we were all safe and happy all day.  My favorite part was when one of the camp leaders mentioned to me that is was so sweet the way our crew takes care of each other:)

Exploring the World of Worms!

Expeditionary Learning is so powerful for children!  Yesterday I unveiled a part of our new Expedition:  Worms!  We will be looking at the reciprocity between worms and the earth and how they need each other.  Very cool! 

Ask your children about how we they got to be scientists yesterday.  I set this up as a mystery piece.  Before letting the children into the room after PE I gave each one of them a scientific tool (i.e. a popsicle stick!) and we talked about how archeologists have to be very careful with their exploring and that good scientists observe closely.

Once inside the room each table group explored the tub of soil on their desks...and soon the excitement began...."Hey, there are worms in here!"  So much fun to be a part of.  Wish you could have been here, but hope the pictures below make you feel a part of our learning.

There is nothing simple about reading...

One of my favorite things to do while on break is to read for fun.  I read everything I can get my hands on, and while traveling to see my dad I had the luxury of reading magazines. 

While learning how to balance my life, I came across this article on parenting tips. This section was about balancing children's reading homework.

This is just what I would say to you.  When everyone is exhausted, just read to your child. Get in bed and feel the love.  

Note what the article says about children who now are reading on their own!!

Yes, that is where your child is now mid-year first grade.

Don't stop reading to them and with them!  Because the hardest part of reading is just beginning....the deep thinking that good readers need to be able to do to comprehend text which enables one to share stories.

We begin the year learning how to use multiple reading tools to figure out how to read words.  Now the fun begins!  

Readers are thinkers.

There is nothing simple about learning how to read.

Don't worry.  I'm here to help you learn how to work with your child on this.

Learn from my blogposts or come in and watch me work with your child.