Monday, November 30, 2015

Reading, Reflecting, Responding


Dear Families,  

Last week I wrote about students getting things done and fostering independence.  This weekend I finally had some time to really hunker down with the writing our students have been doing.  I was trying to walk my talk, but it is really just astounding how much you learn about students when you have time to read, reflect and respond to their work.

After reading their memoir drafts, I see our class with whole new eyes.  I am newly up to date on where they are on their journey as writers - how they express their thoughts, how they prioritize information, how they try to reach their readers.  Maybe more importantly, though, I also feel like I just know them better. I learned about mysterious disappearances, sibling conflicts, amazing discoveries and scary occurrences.  Who knew our class had lead such fascinating lives?  

This week, as we continue to develop our memoirs, I would love it if you took some time with your student to tell a few stories from your life.  Also, what are some funny or touching stories about them that they might not know about?  We are always looking for more ideas to add to our memoirs.  

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:   Due Friday 12/4
  • MATH: Math practice sheets!
  • READING: Daily reading and one Reading Journal Response.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Working together AND being independent.

"Can we have partners?" is one of the most common student requests as I send them off to work after a lesson.  "Can we be a trio?" is probably the next one.  There is a joy in collaboration.  There is also an underlying social context and component for all learning.  We make meaning together by sharing and listening.

And we do work together a lot in class. We play partner games in Math. We have Read to Another time in Reading.  We have Writing Response groups, Science partners, table talk, and time to play and create together.  Most students live for this, though there is a strong contingent of kids who say "I'd prefer to work alone right now."

Recently, though.  We've been working on independence.  And we've unpacked what that means: not being dependent.  Not needing others to get assignments done and the ability to create on one's own are life skills that need support, too.  In a language rich, socially supportive learning environment there should still be plenty of time and space devoted to fostering self-discipline and pride in accomplishment.

Mostly we've been working on this in writing.  We've seen tremendous growth in the responses students are writing in their weekly Reading reflection journals.  Each week there is some newly sophisticated use of language or punctuational flare.  And I am pushing this in our current work around memoir.  We are writing for longer amounts of time and using all of the tools we can think of to keep ourselves going.  Some students run into a wall now and then and want to stop but with some guidance and some strategies for staying engaged, they dive back in.  It is a slower and less visible process, but for me, watching kids become more independent as writers is as thrilling as that first time they wobble down the sidewalk on two wheels when they learn to ride a bike.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Testing out some ideas

Our study of electricity and circuits is continuing to be lots of fun.  Last week students explored how to light a bulb and then how to create a circuit with a switch.  This week we are going to study materials that are conductors, nonconductors and insulators by making “conductor testers.” We will use our knowledge about switches to leave an open section in a circuit that we can then attempt to close with various materials. If the bulb lights, it is a conductor. If it doesn't, then it must be an insulator.


If you are interested in brushing up your own understanding of electrical vocabulary, I recommend the Brainpop mini-films on the topic. If your child does not remember the login information, just give me text.

If your child has not returned their Reading Journal for a while, please send it in this week.  I would love to take a look at any work that they have done.  If it is lost, we can make some new ones.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Reading Aloud

There are times when the importance of a certain basic thing reemerges.  For instance, reading aloud.

I have the harmonious situation of parenting a fifth grader and teaching third and fourth graders.  It makes it really easy to buy or check out books for my boy: "You want that novel? It can come live in my classroom library when you're done with it? Sure. Let's get it."

The lines between home life and school life can get a little blurry, but overall that is a good thing.  For instance: the power and the struggle of reading together with a child.  In the classroom it's easy.  I pick a great book, I read it out loud to the class, we talk about it, and enjoy it together.  One of my favorite things as a teacher is when I look up from a read aloud and the whole class is quietly staring into space, completely wrapped up in a story. It happens with good nonfiction, too.

There is a lot of educational writing, theory and research about the importance of reading aloud to students.  And there is an even larger amount about the importance of families reading together.

But guilty secret, here - sometimes I dread it.  After a long day of working, meeting other people's needs, getting to and from work, etc., I really need a minute or two to myself.  There are some nights when my son asks me to read to him before bed that I really have to find a happy response.  I dig up the resolve from knowing there will soon be a day when he doesn't ask and I will miss it.

Speaking to many families over the course of my career, I know this is true for many of you, as well.  But I want to challenge you in the coming weeks to make that time, if you can.  A few years ago my family tried the TV Turn-off challenge for a week and it was astonishing.  I finished two serious books and started a third. Louis plowed through a pile from the library.

We have been working in class on reading to someone else as part of our daily reading routine.  It's kind of my new favorite part of the day.  There is so much subtle learning happening.  Everyday I see students coaching their peers, too, in ways that help me design lessons. Partner reading spreads a passion for certain books and new genres and builds new friendships.  Students discover new things about each other and themselves. If you can, make some more time to read together this week!

Homework, due: 11/6

Reading Response
Math Practice and Challenge
Read together!