I'm only 9 minutes in and I love how she talks to her class. It's the combination of changing volume, directing comments right to individuals, and intermittent choral responses that keeps their attention and mine. steplab.co/watch/great-...
It was a long but very exciting week. I prepared and delivered PD to my whole K-2 staff on implementing UFLI with fidelity then sat in on the PD for Gr 3-6 as they prepare to implement Acadience for the first time. We are moving in the right direction in my school and I am proud to be part of it!
My kindergarten students loved all the slush yesterday and made "slushy mud." One student stated all the ingredients needed so once we were inside we all wrote a Recipe for Slushy Mud together. Kids being kids plus using their phonics skills to write makes wonderful learning.
Checking out OCHRE Education after reading this gem. I love the ready to use resources based on explicit Instruction. I will definitely be using them in my class, particularly for daily review. I'm looking forward to sharing both resources with my peers.
Lots of hidden gems at the second hand book stores!
I'm excited to dig in. Thanks to my thoughtful kids I have great reading for my winter break.
I would like a direct line to Laura's teaching ALL the time.
Love it! I'm hoping I find this book under my tree. 😀 Enjoy your travels.
I'm right there with you...exhausted and ready for a pause. Merry Christmas!
Kindergarten teacher here.....utterly exhausted!! Yet my mind won't stop thinking about the students I need to help in the New Year.
I can't imagine a day without a read aloud...or two.
I spent several of my prep periods this week demonstrating UFLI lessons, supporting teachers with materials, and helping them understand the program. Teachers need support with understanding the science of teaching reading. I do this on my free time so we can see improvement for ALL classes.
That's my Christmas too!
When your K students are now begging to read real books you can't help but buy more. Syllasense decodable books are amazing.
Chris Such is an amazing educator is really kind with his time. I'm so glad you are here!
Yes, I am in Ontario and I have purchased many things on my own but my colleagues will not so I am trying to guide admin into purchasing what is needed.
Spent my Saturday afternoon compiling student videos and student data to show how to help all students with foundational literacy. My goal is to convince my admin that a structured literacy program such as UFLI is highly beneficial for all. I hope they will listen and purchase it for my colleagues.
Yesterday I did "Build with Boxes" day in my kindergarten class with our grade 7 buddies. The grade 7 students loved this just as much as the kindergarten students. There might have been a teacher or two pulling a box sled around the class as well!
Yesterday I took a video of a young K student blending cvc words. Six weeks ago she didn't know her letter sounds. Since more than half of grade 1s in our district did not meet Acadience benchmarks I am doing everything I can in K to support early literacy. Everyone has the right to read.
I spent more than 2 hours after school with some teachers going through their Acadience results and looking at next steps. We followed it up with a demo UFLI lesson. I'm tired but very invigorated and thankful that teachers are willing to learn new ideas.
Of course!
Just listened to this on my Sunday run. This made me think of a little S in my class who now loves to come to school. It took two months of routine, high expectations, and giving him opportunities to learn. Now he speaks in full sentences with his peers and is finding success in learning tasks.
Neat!
There is so much on this one page -- lack of familiarity, too much talking, too much background noise, too many visuals. If we could harness just the knowledge on this one page we could improve learning so much!
Agreed. What's happening?
I sent information to parents long before the progress reports and had in person discussions with parents. Closing the gap is a bit easier for me in K but I still treat it as urgent. We need to help the kids early and not wait until grade 1 or 2.
Oral language is at the core of literacy. My little 4yr old arrived in Sept. saying only 2 word sentences and quite distraught at school. Today he told me stories with our loose parts. He can now use sentences with his peers and initiate conversations. I'm so proud!
Oof! I was just talking about this today.
I love children's literature. We get very little PD on good reads so it ends up being "hallway PD." I read all suggested books very carefully because I am finding more recent picture book publications suggested in my district are lacking in high vocabulary and deep, thoughtful content.
I always worked with kids and I knew I was good with them. I was late going to teacher's college (27) because I finally realized my previous job was not going to get me anywhere. I love teaching, love young children, love the energy....but not loving the large disruptive classes and the politics.