The K-2 Coach's Corner
Tidbits of helpful information December 2014
Books on Compact Disc for Listening Centers
Yippee!! The fledgling beginnings of a Listening Library
Reading isn’t just sitting down and having a book in front of you. Offering a listening library provides access to more books for our students. Below are some reasons why you should listen to books:
Learning:
Reading and listening are both great ways to learn, but audio books let readers engage with books differently than print.
- If you’re a slow reader you should listen to audio books so you read more books, faster.
- For some children, audio books can be a better way to read books because of the reader’s voices. The nuances of text are often easier to comprehend when the narrator changes his or her inflections for the characters and doesn’t just read but acts! A voice can reveal so much more context than merely print. (Sarcasm for instance!)
- When you listen to audio books you know how to pronounce every word because the reader says them first.
- For young kids especially, listening comprehension exceeds reading comprehension. Do we not crawl before we walk and talk before we read?
- When you listen to audio books it helps with vocabulary. More words listened to in context, more words learned!
Portable:
Audio books are portable like regular books but in different ways so that you can get through more books.
- Take them with you in the car! On road trips, during commutes to work, school, activities, and while running errands
- Listening to books gives children greater exposure to topics or information they are capable of understanding but not capable of reading independently.
Advantages over Print:
- Listening to audio books is fun because the narrator is an actor and offers the book like it’s a play or TV show without a picture. I like listening to Jim Dale (Harry Potter) and Clea Lewis (Princess Diaries) and Nathaniel Parker (Artemis Fowl). I think they’re some of the best narrators I’ve heard yet.
- You hear every little detail in audio book. Sometimes people might skip over a paragraph or a page and that could be a very important part. Listening to audio books makes you a better listener!
- Audio books increases number of books kids, teens, and adults read. If you listened to two or more audio books a week, you’ll have at least 8 books read in a month. That’s more than most people read in a year! Can you imagine?
- You can listen when you can’t see. This is great for readers with poor eyesight or eyestrain.
- Audio books are accessible; you can get them at the library.
- Cut TV time in half – or out completely with audio books. Trust me it’s worth it! Books become best friends. Who ever heard of a TV show being a best friend?Like a good print book, audio books can be comfort reads and favorites that you listen to over and over and over again. So what are you waiting for!
Some of our new titles
Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Level F
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, Level M
Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin, Level N
How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague, Level J
Father Bear Come Home , Else Holmelund Minarik, Level I
Feast For 10 by Cathryn Falwell, Level E
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel, Level K
Gentle Giant Octopus by Karen Wallace, Level M
I'm a Manatee by John Lithgow, Level L
Jack and the Beanstalk by Barbara Vagnozzi
Julius The Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes, Level N
Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes, Level M
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes, Level N
Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik, Level J
Little Bear's Friend by Else Holmelund Minarik, Level J
Little Bear's Visit by Else Holmelund Minarik, Level J
Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes, Level K
Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble, Level N
Snow Day! by Lester Laminack, Level H
Surprising Sharks! by Nicola Davies, Level M
READING BUILDS STAMINA EVEN WHEN LISTENING!
We will continue growing our listening library and plan to add more non-fiction books to the collection.
New Books For Our Classroom Libraries
A classroom library can be the heartbeat of a classroom. It offers a glimpse of a teacher's personality, and reflects the importance of literacy in the classroom. I believe every teacher -- no matter what subject he or she teaches -- should have one.
We should provide access to books in our classes with the same differentiated approach we bring to any other lesson, assessment, or activity. Our classroom libraries should reflect the full range of levels of the students in our rooms.
Happiness is Books, Books, Books, and Books!
The question I hear the most everyday? "Can I read when I'm done?" Watching a child fall in love with reading is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher.
The love of books and literacy that is just beginning for my kindergarten students will impact them for the rest of their lives. The teachers and staff at my school go above and beyond to assure that each child experiences a nurturing, positive, and enriching learning environment. My students come to school with various knowledge and experiences with books and reading, but they all come to school excited and eager to read! Each day I work to pass on my passion and love of reading to my students.
( Alicia, I love that you and the rest of your team bring exciting stories replete with vivid characters into your classroom library. Thank you for jumping right in and congratulations on posting and funding your Donors Choose grant! R.)
Playdates With Book Friends
"Happiness is finding the first good book in a series and knowing there are more to come."
I'm not sure who said it, but my students certainly understand it! We love meeting up with characters who have become our friends!
My kindergarten students are just beginning their educational journey and I've made it my mission to instill a love of books. Luckily, they embrace this mission with an enthusiasm that only 5 year olds readily produce. They are inquisitive, thoughtful, and kind-hearted pupils who frequently ask "Can I go get a book from the library when I'm finished?".
Our students do not always come with the background knowledge or exposure, but they do always come with an eagerness to learn! As a school we praise effort and growth in addition to being successful and our children have truly taken that message to heart.
(Wow! That's just about all I can say, WOW!! ((Do I sound like Mr. Slinger??) Congratulations Jaslin on your great effort to support the reading lives of our children! R)
A Reading Box Full of Our Favorite Characters!
There is nothing quite like catching up with your best friends and hearing all about their adventures. Imagine if your best friend was the character in your favorite book. Our students love reading about their friends Jack, Daisy, Bella, Rosie, & Clarence.
My fIrst grade students are developing a love of books and are expectant with anticipation when they hear it's time to read. There is something magical about watching a child learn to read and grow in confidence as a reader. As teachers, we witness this glorious process on a daily basis. Instilling a love of books and reading is something we aim to do everyday.
McDougle Elementary works over time to provide a positive academic, social, and emotional environment for our children. We believe one of the best ways to do this is to provide ample opportunities for all children to have equal access to the best teachers and the best books!
(Congratulations Lynnlee! Your students are fortunate to have a teacher who works tirelessly on their behalf. So glad Bella & Rosie, Jack & Daisy and Clarence the Dragon can cozy up with your students! R.)
Academic Language in the Classroom
Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
Rena: So, Kim tell me a little bit about your interest in becoming an IFL Coach.
Kim: Working with literacy coaches in my job as a teacher created an interest in helping teachers reflect on their instructional practices. As teachers we create and implement plans that teach children how to read. I felt like working as an IFL coach will help me do that on a larger scale. I am interested in working on the reflection aspect of literacy instruction.
Rena: Did your work with The Governors Teacher Network spur you on?
Kim: Absolutely. Collaborating with teachers all over the state and hearing about the great variety of projects has made me realize how much I have to learn. I feel like working as a coach will push my learning to another level. Learning to coach teachers will be an integral part of my personal growth as an educator. Patrenia's quote, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!" is certainly where I am headed. I understand that the new work will take me to some places where I am going to be very uncomfortable, but I am embracing the 'uncomfortableness' knowing richer life experiences are in store.
Kim, on behalf of your colleagues: We wish you the very best. Congratulations, may Good Luck, Happy Days, Blue Skies and Strength of Purpose sustain you in your new adventure!" We will miss you.
And Now A Little Something From Me to You! (this is a serve to company tuna casserole)
Tuna Cheese Imperial
1 pkg. 8 oz. lasagna noodles
2 1/2 cups milk
1 pkg. 8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sliced pimento olives
5 T. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 cans tuna
2 T. chives, finely chopped
about 12 oz. sliced muenster cheese
Cook noodles.
Melt butter, stir in flour, salt, pepper and cook til bubbly. Slowly add the milk and stir until thick. Add cream cheese to mixture and stir until melted. Add drained tuna, olives and chives. Remove from heat.
Put 3/4 cup mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish. Add a layer of noodles, more sauce, then muenster cheese. Continue layering until topped with sauce and cheese.
Cover and bake until bubbly at 350 degrees. Then uncover for the last 10 minutes.
Enjoy.
Happy Holidays to each of you!
Thank you for coming to work every day! Thank you for loving what you do! Thank you for never giving up! Thank you for seeing the silver lining in every cloud! Thank you for offering a warm collegial spirit to one another! I hope you have a restful and safe holiday filled with delight.
With sincere and kind regard,
Rena