Literacy Block in the classroom
In Mrs. Kocses's class we first have reading workshop, writing workshop, then word study later on in the day. Reading workshop is done first to give students an objective, an idea to help set them up for their writing process. During their writing workshop, students are encouraged to look at the word wall in class and use power words that Mrs. Kocses provides for them. These are words that they should know without having to look. Word study is the last portion of their literacy block for which they practice different word sounds and pronunciations throughout their time during the period with partners and through individual work.
I would like to implement the same literacy block design into my classroom, having reading workshop first, followed by writers workshop, and finished up by word study. Reading workshop would come first so that students could take the objective, lesson, or genre we are reading about and the write about it during writing workshop. Word study then would come at the end and students would practice their words, sounds, and pronunciations individually, in groups and with partners.
From working with Mrs. Kocses I have learned so much about what a successful literacy block looks like. Working with Mrs. Kocses has helped me understand how to correctly support children’s learning through reading workshop and writing workshop and she has helped me so much through my lesson plans. I have improved greatly over the semester from lesson plan to lesson plan thanks to Mrs. Kocses.
I would like to implement the same literacy block design into my classroom, having reading workshop first, followed by writers workshop, and finished up by word study. Reading workshop would come first so that students could take the objective, lesson, or genre we are reading about and the write about it during writing workshop. Word study then would come at the end and students would practice their words, sounds, and pronunciations individually, in groups and with partners.
From working with Mrs. Kocses I have learned so much about what a successful literacy block looks like. Working with Mrs. Kocses has helped me understand how to correctly support children’s learning through reading workshop and writing workshop and she has helped me so much through my lesson plans. I have improved greatly over the semester from lesson plan to lesson plan thanks to Mrs. Kocses.
Technology in the classroom
We used iPads in the classroom. There were 5 iPads accessible for the students to use. Daily they were used for the ESL students. There are designated apps downloaded for the ELLs. The apps help the students with letter and sound recognition. On selected days during Daily 5 certain students would be allowed to sign out an iPad and play educational games.
Mrs. Kocses uses her SmartBoard for Morning Meeting, Calendar, Math as well as frequently showing videos on the SmartBoard. The math book that is used in the school enVision has an online section, which provides an interactive video which introduces the students to the lesson for that day. Mrs. Kocses always provides a good morning letter for the students explaining to them anything special that is going to happen on that day.
I plan on using technology in my classroom where ever I can. I believe that by using technology in effective ways will benefit the students. I love websites including Smart Exchange, and SmartTech: Scholastic. I think that they are great aides in the classroom. I also have found that there are great apps on Smart Notebook including timers. I think that by having a large timer projecting in the front of the classroom, the students would be able to stay on track.
I also think that websites such as Smore, Glogster, PollEverywhere, among many others that I have yet to explore are very effective ways of teaching young students and helping them to be in a hands on learning experience.
Mrs. Kocses uses her SmartBoard for Morning Meeting, Calendar, Math as well as frequently showing videos on the SmartBoard. The math book that is used in the school enVision has an online section, which provides an interactive video which introduces the students to the lesson for that day. Mrs. Kocses always provides a good morning letter for the students explaining to them anything special that is going to happen on that day.
I plan on using technology in my classroom where ever I can. I believe that by using technology in effective ways will benefit the students. I love websites including Smart Exchange, and SmartTech: Scholastic. I think that they are great aides in the classroom. I also have found that there are great apps on Smart Notebook including timers. I think that by having a large timer projecting in the front of the classroom, the students would be able to stay on track.
I also think that websites such as Smore, Glogster, PollEverywhere, among many others that I have yet to explore are very effective ways of teaching young students and helping them to be in a hands on learning experience.
Assessment papers
Throughout the semester as an aspiring educator I have learned multiple ways to assess children in order to understand their early literacy development. I have been able to learn and understand these tools and assessments through my classes and then implement them in the field with students. I have implemented an oral assessment, running record and miscue analysis, writing analysis, and spelling inventory.
Common Core
Learning about the Common Core this year has really been a great experience. I have really grown to understand the standards and how they are relatable in the classroom. One reason that I like the core is because it allows all students the chance to learn the same materials. From listening to my co operating teacher, I have learned that especially in Math, as long as you follow the standard you can teach the students however you as the teacher feel the most comfortable. This is something I ended up doing during one of my math lessons this semester. I noticed that the students were not understanding how the information was being presented so I changed the way of teaching it and they understood it better.