Schema

This week we are talking about schema. Schema is everything that someone knows or has experienced. Everyone has different schema since everyone has had very different experiences. I did a demonstration with a variety of shoes to demonstrate this idea. I brought in five different kinds of shoes:  a rain boot, a slipper, a fancy shoe, a running shoe and a sandal. We discussed how each shoe had experienced very different things and while the boot may have a lot of schema about mud and puddles, the sandal would have more schema about the beach, and the running shoe more schema about soccer and races. As we read, we learn new things and our schema grows. We will be comparing our schema before and after reading a variety of books this week to demonstrate that fact.

A quick note...

Next week I plan to do an writing activity with the English classes that will help them to practice using more descriptive words in their writing. It will involve each student eating an apple in class. If there are any concerns with this, please email me directly. Thank you.

A Reminder

As I previously posted, we will be starting literacy stations tomorrow. They will run until Friday. One of the stations is independent reading. While I will have a variety of books available for students to read, if they would like to bring one from home, they are welcome to.

This week: Journal Writing and Literacy Centres!

This week I will be introducing my two ETFI classes to the steps I would like them to use when writing a journal entry. They include: choosing a topic; writing the date at the top right hand side; writing three detailed sentences about their topic; drawing a coloured picture that corresponds with their topic; and reviewing their entry with a checklist to ensure captial letters and punctuation are used correctly. 

During journal writing, and most other writing activities taking place, I encourage the use of inventive, or phonetic spelling. For those of you who were not able to attend Meet the Teacher, I want to explain a bit about inventive spelling here. Inventive spelling is a phonetic way of spelling words that is completely appropriate for students at this level of learning. It allows them to independently write their creative ideas and not be hindered by the “correct” way to spell every word they want to write. It also is very good practice for letter sounds and blends. As your child becomes more familiar with writing, he or she will make the transition to standard spelling. Please see the image below for an example of inventive, or phonetic spelling. 

That being said, this does not apply to word wall words! I will insist that those are spelled correctly since they are words we have practiced and are posted in the classroom. I also give my students access to dictionaries, and will have word lists related to the topics they are writing about posted in the room for them to refer to. 

Later in the week, we will begin our first round of Literacy Centres. Literacy Centres are stations set up around the room that the students visit in groups to complete the activities found there. The stations will always include a writing activity, independent reading, and a couple of word work or word games. Additionally, one station will have a group work with me on either a specific reading or writing skill that I would like them to focus on. Each group will have a turn to visit each station.

While there is no shared reading this week, there are five new word wall words. Please check the word wall page of the blog to see what they are!

BINGO!

Bingo is a motivational tool that I use with my students. Each grade 2 classroom has a bingo grid hanging on the wall. When a student is caught working diligently, helping a friend, listening attentively, etc., they are rewarded with their name being written in a square on the grid. Not only does the student get rewarded, but it serves as a reminder to those who are not following expectations to get back on track. At the end of the English period on Fridays, I hold a bingo raffle. A letter and number are pulled from a bag and if that square is occupied by a name, that student wins the prize of the week. Some prizes include wearing their slippers to school, choosing to sit at the teacher's desk for a period, choosing a prize from the treasure box, or having me write a note home about all of their positive accomplishments. Congratulations to this week's winners: India from M. Lachapelle's room, and Benjamin from Mme. Domingue's room!

The Hungry Monster and More!

Although I sent home a paper newsletter this week, I do want to get in the habit of posting regularly, so here I am! I hope that it also helps you to get in the habit of reading the blog regularly! This week we starting thinking about fluency when reading- that is using an appropriate rate/speed, expression, punctuation cues and accuracy. The students have been having fun rating my fluency while I read books to them. Soon they will be using self-reflection checklists during their own reading time in class. We have also talked a lot about ending punctuation or sentence stoppers and determining what makes a sentence. To this end, we have fixed a story missing it's punctuation and capital letters using bandaids, fed my Hungry Monster sentences (you'll have to ask your child about this one!), and soon they will be making punctuation people and putting all of their practice to work when writing their sentences.More on that as it happens!

I will also be starting my individual reading assessments shortly. These will help me to pinpoint areas of need, and to track progress over the year.

Meet the Teacher night has been set for Wednesday, September 17th. I will be dividing my time between room 20 (my SK classroom) and my two grade 2 classrooms in the third floor tower. I hope to meet many of you then!

Thank you to everyone who has shown such enthusiasm for this blog and for ETFI in general! Tomorrow will be my first day with the grade 2 students, and the supply teacher who was in for me tells me that I am in for a real treat this year! Starting tomorrow and for the rest of the year, six of the grade 2 students from Mme. Frey's 1/2 class will be joining myself and M.Lachapelle's class for their English period. Welcome everyone!