Kindergarten
October 14th
Reading
One of our main focuses in the Fiction Unit is retelling a story. First, we reviewed Goldilocks and the Three Bears by retelling the key details. Then, we read The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Next, we discussed the story with our reading partner. After that, we identified the characters and setting(s) of the story. Last, we retold the story using the words first, then, next, after that, and last. We practiced retelling stories during independent reading and partner reading! It can be done with any fiction book!
Math
In order to create fun ways of meeting the numerous counting standards, I try to give students the opportunity to cooperate with each other, move around the room, and make some choices in their learning. This week, we got to do all of this at once! The activity began with students paired up with partners they could work with and learn from. Then, they each got a bin and a number. They needed to work with their partner to find a certain number of objects to put in the bin. After they counted the correct number of objects and double checked with their partner, they placed the bin in the room with a letter label. Once the students finished creating these stations while developing their understanding of the relationship between numbers and quantities, they were ready to begin.
Students reviewed how to cooperate with their partner through the use of Rally Coach. Each pair only needs one paper and one pencil. They take turns completing the task while the other partner coaches them through the task. We became really good at coaching our partner in how to form the numbers correctly (not backwards) without just doing it for them. As we rotated throughout the stations in the room, we found that we became experts at representing a number of objects with a written numeral. Not only did we work toward many math standards during this activity, we also collaborated with our classmates to learn from each other!
Lexia
I have been so impressed with the students' ability to use the Chromebooks! We have practiced enough that we are able to get the Chromebooks from the cart, login, and get headphones in less than 4 minutes. I have been eager to introduce a great learning resource called Lexia. Students are able to start with a short assessment and then progress through various reading and phonics skills at their own pace. I am able to support student progress during this time by pulling small groups or individual students to work with them at their specific needs in reading and phonics. They are also enjoying progressing through the levels independently! The small successes and celebrations are building their confidence in phonics and reading!