Directions

Part of learning to read is learning to read sight words, or high frequency words. Quickly.

One of the ways that I help the kids is to know which words follow the rules that I teach (closed syllable, v-consonant-e) and which ones don't.

We call the rule followers "green" words, and every where they appear in the room I write them in green marker. And the words that do not follow the rules are "red" words, and they are written in red marker.

Steps I follow to teach new high frequency words:

1. Read 3 sentences that contain the new word (it is the only word that is the same in all three sentences).

2. Students listen and discover the new word.

3. We say the sounds of the word.

4. I write the word on the board as I say the sounds.

5. They LOVE this one, they decide if it is a green word or red word.

6. Post the word on the word wall and add to the deck of cards that we review.

Well, this week our words are: have, for.

I cannot remember the exact conversation that led up to my smart kindergartener, but I must have asked "why is have a red word?" (And I know it could be a green word, but for K, we are going with red.)

And she replied, "Because it is not following directions." (She did go on to explain the direction that was not followed.)

Oh sweet child. Yes, some words do not follow directions!

Pants, Books, and Stools

It's Thursday and I'm wearing Saturday pants.

Seriously, that's what they are called. I bought them from Old Navy a year and a half ago. Their name makes me smile, and they are so comfy! They are perfect for wearing while I read, watch tv, you name it.

Last week I mentioned a book I was reading. It is The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. Amazing read! And today I finished chapter 2. But I'm also reading Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller (finished chapter 2 yesterday). And I spent two days early this week getting training in Project Based Learning by Aaron from The Buck Institute for Education. 

So, the books, conversations and studying have mushed up in my brain and I have lots of synthesizing to do.

Here is what I know today:

1. To be a learner, a student has to be a problem solver and a believer in his abilities.

2. To have a classroom that is "just right" for learning, I must create that environment (books everywhere, high expectations for reading, authentic and good literature for kids to read for enjoyment and to practice skills taught, authentic reasons for reading--and not just to become a better reader).

3. Authentic literature for first grade looks different than at fifth grade. I must reach out to my primary teacher friends and begin to create a library that is organized and covers the entire classroom. 

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And my selfish plug... Time is running out on my Donor's Choose project for Hokki Stools. Please pass the word, all donations are tax deductible. Just follow the link to my project page. 

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I leave you with this question...

Do you believe that reading is worth learning how to do well? Why?

What Am I Reading?

Summer is the best season for reading.

And this summer I have 3 professional books going and 1 fiction book.

Ag camp today was finishing up the pig pictures (no photos) and then scooping poop in the calf pen. No pictures of that either, because I was actually working! Mrs. Jones went with me later to check and she said I did a good job! YES! Mostly I supervised the kids, but that meant that I could not snap photos. 

And since I have no photos I thought I'd share a bit of my aha from this afternoon's reading.

Here are some points that I put into my special notebook...

1. I am the best reader and writer in my room and I have to be a source of knowledge for the kids, not be on a power trip or a control freak.

2. Reading is a journey. I'm going to teach how to read (read and comprehend), and what to do if the reader gets lost (doesn't know what to do).

3. I'm not going to teach "books." I'm going to teach comprehension strategies, literary elements, and phonics patterns. The kids will practice by reading books.

I'm super excited about this book.

Have you guessed what book it is? Comment below the title of the book I'm reading, and your email address, and I will reward some correct answers.

Also, what book are you reading? Maybe I need to get a few more...