Reading Highlights

We had a very busy but a fun time last week. The kids are all getting back into the swing of things after our winter break. We were able to laugh, have fun, learn, and be serious at times.

This week in reading we had a good teaching moment, as we were reading the story "Junkyard Wonders" by Patricia Polacco. I was able to see the kids minds open up, and envision the message that it had hidden inside. The story is about the author and her life and being in a classroom that other kids called the "Junkyard" because they were different. The story reminds us that although we are all different and go through different journeys in life we are still all unique and wonderful in our own ways. It was a great story on teaching us about self confidence and believing in yourself. One part of the story has one of the characters pass away, and it was an awe striking moment for me as a teacher to quickly see the kids emotions and understand the depth of the story. They had lots of questions, but were able to relate it back to the life cycle and understanding about different diseases and such that may cause one person's life to go more quickly than another. The story ends on a very wonderful note and helps encourage the students to push their limits and never give up, even if someone says differently.

Throughout the story we were working on the skill of visualizing as well. If you have a chance, read a story to your child without showing them the pictures, and ask them to describe or draw what they are seeing in their minds. This helps them to become better readers and become even better chapter book readers as they continue to grow into longer and larger books. We have had fun making pictures and visualizing what we are seeing when we hear things. This week we will continue this skill as well, and continue discussing the importance.

Here is a quick review of some of our reading highlights this year (things the kids should be able to describe to you, if you ask them).
~ Summary (B,M,E Charts)
~ Questioning (B,D,A Chart)
~ Visualizing - (mental picture)
~ Inference (what we THINK will come next, happen, or what isn't being told in the text, but you understand on your own.)
~ Prediction (what you think is going to happen, and then the story telling you in the text or pictures)