I thought I would share the literacy activities Kathleen Morris and I have planned for our classes (2KJ and 2KM) next week. The start of a new school year is crucial for developing routines and structures to ensure all students work to their full potential and understand our expectations.
READING
Our whole class reading focus time will be spent on:
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Setting up our firm expectations of appropriate behaviour during reading groups. Students are to work quietly, independently and should stay in the same spot for the session.
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Looking at our class blog and our blogging buddies’ blogs from around the world. We will revise how to leave comments and how to navigate blogs.
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Revising how to put words into alphabetical order.
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Reading for understanding.
We are going to conduct running records and other literacy testing during our reading hour each day. Students will complete the following activities in mixed ability reading groups each day:
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Name Sort – Students each get a set of cards which have all students names on them. Working through an instruction sheet, students need to sort the words into alphabetical order, group them according to how many letters in each name, how many syllables etc.
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Spelling Scramble – We use the M100W and M200W words at our school. Students need to unscramble a series of M100W words and practise spelling them on the mini whiteboards.
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Computers – Students spend time on the class blog and leave a comment.
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iPod Touch – Our student teacher will sit with the iPod group each day and train them to correctly use the device. After establishing the rules, students will listen to a story on the iPod and draw a picture while listening.
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Independent reading – Students will quietly read books from their book boxes or books they borrowed from the library.
Once our literacy assessments are complete next week, we will group students accordingly and work on reading strategies to further develop their skills. We are also currently investigating how to incorporate the Daily Five and CAFE model into our literacy sessions. Stay tuned for future blog posts about this!
Here’s a couple of examples of activities we’ve prepared
WRITING
Some of our writing lessons will be spent on testing:
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We are conducting a handwriting test.
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We test students on writing the M100W and M200W words.
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We are also using the Words Their Way spelling program for the first time. I will blog about this soon.
On Monday we will conduct our first journal writing lesson. We will revise the use of full stops, capital letters and reading over our work.
We will also have our students write letters to their parents, telling them what they are enjoying about being in 2KJ and 2KM. It’s a nice way for the students to reflect on the beginning of the year and helps develop the home-school relationship.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for this post. It’s really interesting to see what other teachers around the world do in those first weeks of school when setting up their routines with their new classes. Thanks for putting your rotations and worksheets on here as well – great to get new ideas.
Sarah
@ Sarah,
I agree, it’s great to have an insight into other classrooms from around the world. The start of the year is particularly important for setting up routines and behaviours so I thought I’d share what Kath and I do. Hope it helps people with a few ideas!
Thanks for your support,
Kelly
Hey Kelly,
First time checking out the blog. I really enjoyed it. I definitely have to say that I absolutely love the way that you are able to incorporate technology into your groups. The use of the individual whiteboards, iPod touches, and computers will definitely keep the students engaged. I wish I had those resources in my classroom!
Shawn Avery
Plympton, Massachusetts
@ Shaun,
Glad you like the blog! It’s a great way for me to personally reflect on best practise in the area of literacy, and I like being able to share my ideas and thoughts with other educators.
Incorporating technology into our program is a huge part of the 2KJ and 2KM classroom. We use our IWB in practically every single lesson we teach and the iPods and computers are used very regularly too. Our class blog is also a big focus of our classroom. We found our students’ learning progressed so much last year, and we believe technology is part of the reason why.
Thanks for the comment!
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Definitely interesting to read about what others are doing. It really is valuable PD to see what happens in other classes (although not always practical to be there physically so reading about it would have to be the next best thing!). This term I am trying to fit the Daily 5, Magic 100 words and the ciritical aspects of literacy (amongst other things) into one package that works for me and my class. It is proving a challenge to say the least, so it was great to read about what was happening in your room. Look forward to your next post!
Hi Jen,
I agree, it is always nice to see what other teachers are doing. This time of the year seems to be full of assessment though!
Wow, you are certainly busy in your classroom incorporating all of those elements into your literacy teaching! I am also deciding how to use the Daily 5 with my grade and we also do the Magic 100 and 200 spelling words at our school. We are also trialling the Words Their Way spelling program. Once I’ve worked out how I’m structuring my literacy block I will blog about it to share my experiences!
Thanks for your comment and support!
Kelly