Literary Experiences and Observations in the Classroom

I believe everything we teach is a literary experience yet, I will list the one's that are more obvious!

• There are three read a loud sessions daily. One picture book in the morning to focus us. Four to six picture books after lunch to settle us. One novel/chapter book in the afternoon to teach us. Kass charts with students story elements like main characters, setting, main events, problems and solutions. They review at the beginning and add on details at the end. On Friday morning students vote on their favorite morning book from the four that were read that week. They write down the title, using capitals, and the secretary tallies the votes. I was able to read their favorite book this week, a new book for me, titled Wanted: New Best Friend. The children were able to recall, retell, relate and rejoice in the humor of this book.
  
• The children read the board in the morning for direction on an independent activity.
• Reading Workshop is diverse. Children were asked to bring in a favorite book from home the first day of school. This book stayed at school for a week and a half. The books were categorized based on theme, size, color etc. A math activity demonstrating area, perimeter, weight, pattern and mirror images were elicited with these same books. Kass and I each chose a favorite from the stack and read it to the children. And lastly, the children shared their book with a friend. Other Reading Workshop lessons include a weekly poem that teaches a rime and is fun and engaging. It is read each day by the whole group. On Friday they illustrate the poem and put it in their Poetry Notebook. Care is taken in teaching the children how to draw. Stick people are not allowed! :). Kass teaches phonics (McCrakin) during this time also. The biggest aspect of Reading Workshop is their book bag where they keep about six "Just Right" books. These are books they can successfully read either through the words or the pictures. Thus, picture books are always an option yet, chapter books need permission to be in the bag. The "five finger rule" defines a Just Right book. Each week the children will pick new books for their bag. These are books sorted throughout the classroom. Their are dots on many of the books that indicate their levels. The children spend significant time (developmentally appropriate) reading from their books bags. Emphasis is placed on re reading for details and practice.
  
• Writing Workshop includes a composition book for each student where they will write throughout the year. Handwriting Without Tears and Spelling Review books are utilized. A fun lesson involved three line drawings, simple forms. The student could choose one, two or all three and then draw a picture with them. They then wrote about what they created. Another engaging activity involved the children listening to a description of an alien being. Kass described it's facial features and the students drew the alien. They were all very different and told us a lot about the student's ability and willingness to not only draw but of course hear details. There is a Word Wall with the student's name and photo as well as a word from the weekly poems. The students are then expected to right these words conventionally. There is a Writing Area with blank paper and lined paper, markers, colored pencils, rubbing crayons, glue, pencils, scratch paper, a Family Meeting list for "issues" that need to come to the group, a Book Share list if a student has a book they have read and then want to share with others, and lastly Happy Notes that a student can fill in the To, From and For, ie. "for being a good friend".
  
• Author's Chair culminates Reading and Writing Workshop. The audience is asked to restate what the author just read.
  
• Snack is a literary event. Kids can sign up for News. They tell something and maybe show something and then three questions can be asked. Happy Notes are given out. Book Shares occur and Family Meeting issues are discussed.
• Dolch Word practice will begin in a few weeks. Parents support this rote activity.
• Assessments for spelling were conducted while Kass spends Reading Workshop time reading with individual children to check where they are. I believe DRA's will be conducted before October.