On to the Learning Train!!

This week the kiddos have been working hard and learning lots!!! I have been teaching phonograms, parts of a book, stamina reading, reading books independently, sight words (we worked on a, I & my), writing nouns and numbers 1-5 in math.  Every kiddo in my class is constantly using their brain muscle and becoming stronger learners!!

As promised, my number of the day being implemented during calendar time: 

I always have the number filled in for the day.  We talk about what the number looks like in writing and the word.  Then the kiddos show me different ways to make that number on their fingers (using one hand or two).  We fill in the ten frame discussing how much of the frame is filled in and how much of it is empty.  The students are really successful at determining the numbers that come after the number of the day on the number line but really struggle to determine the ones that come before (we are working on using our number lines at our seats to have extra exposures with this process).  For the last part, "picture", the students all think in their head of a shape or shapes that show that number, then tell their neighbor it, and finally a random student is called upon to share and I will draw to show.  Very soon, I hope to move into the kiddos using the pen to fill in the parts. 

We also started working on finishing simple sentences by adding the noun.

We start by reading the sight word (A for this day) and then I read the nouns aloud.  Everyone thinks of the noun they would like to write about.  Then the kiddos go back to their seats and circle the noun they want to pick.  We then come back together and I randomly call on a student to tell me the noun they decided to pick.  Then I model writing just the noun in the first space followed by the whole sentence again below.  We then discuss in length how when writing our pictures should always match our sentences.  Since this one was "mom" I constantly ask, "What should I be drawing?".  The students answer.  Then I ask, "Are you sure I shouldn't be drawing a space ship?" and I call students to tell me why not.  I repeat a couple times and then the students are sent to independently finish their own sentences.

 As you can see some writing is a little shakier than others but everyone has been writing a simple sentence and drawing a corresponding picture to the best of their ability!!

One last thing: 

I just wanted to show my weekly letter I send home.  I really like to keep my parents in the loop of what is going on at school each week.  I tell them what we are learning, important upcoming events, and any notes they need to remember.  Some of my parents do not have email so I send a hard copy home every week on Monday with the kiddos homework packets.  

Parent involvement is key in a students learning so the more informed they are the better!!

Happy Teaching!!!