Dr. Penny Bryan was present to review and observe my full thesis program, Listening to Literacy Grow. From start to finish and finally three months later, she watched and listened on this blog to prepare her for the success and remarks of the students and parents that truly made my program possible. It has been a few months since I have written and check back in but the kids are at summer break. Somewhere in my heart I know that they have continued to discover new authors and books and with the help of their parents are listening to their literacy grow! I will check back in this Fall with the lead teacher to prepare her new class of students to Listen to Literacy Grow!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Day 15
We have mixed the groups up this morning in order to accommodate their in class work they were competing with their teacher. I have 4 boys and 1 girl today in Group 1 and 3 girls and 1 boy in Group 2. They were very quick to get in and get started since I will only be on campus 2 days this week. I believe that they are nearing the end of their chapter books and eager to read through completely for the final summary.
Unlike most days, they have asked to sit more comfortably on the ground. It was a brief conversation that was an explained scenario, "If we can sit anywhere like you always say, does that mean the ground too?" Me, "Of course, but remember the school rule, no laying down and enjoy the reading!" It is a school rule to not lay on the ground for health reasons.
Group 1:
We had one student complete his book today and he found such a great sense of accomplishment. He not only finished a chapter book, but one with 15 chapters! This was something that built self-esteem and confidence to continue reading harder and longer books for him in the future. Another girl has mentioned that she wishes to challenge herself and read the longest chapter books at higher levels to keep learning new words and be the best reader. She can't live without reading for one day and this would help her not read so many books all the time.
Group 2:
One of my student participants is very soft spoken and has struggled to share in the discussions. Today she was not afraid or shy to tell about what she read and her favorite part. I am so proud that she feels comfortable enough to share now! Within time, the students should gain a sense of safety and comfort sharing with their peers. It is how we learn and honestly the most fun to hear other peoples understandings. The students are social walking to the library with me and on the playground and now they are very social when it comes to their books they are reading! I am confident this will continue in their lives and schooling and benefit their learning.
I have documented the students ability to follow along in the book as they are listening and will include this in one of my several conclusions. The key to this habit is that they are articulating the vocabulary both both reading and hearing it. This contributes to their continued improvements in fluency and comprehension too.
I great conversation we had was caught on the recording for Group 1. What if they haven't finished their book and the program has ended? It was their collective conclusion that they can check the book out at the library and continue to read it all the way through. Yeah! Another girl also said that she could use her teachers iPod that will be left in the classroom in order to continue the program there on campus for her students.
I have decided that a celebration in honor of the Listening to Literacy Grow participants was needed. This Thursday we will commemorate all that we have learned and enjoyed within the program. I hope to report back with some photos and video of their feelings about having used the Listing to Literacy Grow program.I great conversation we had was caught on the recording for Group 1. What if they haven't finished their book and the program has ended? It was their collective conclusion that they can check the book out at the library and continue to read it all the way through. Yeah! Another girl also said that she could use her teachers iPod that will be left in the classroom in order to continue the program there on campus for her students.
Our bag of Materials
I have transported this bag to and from the school daily for the past few months.
It has grown more full and gotten heavier by the week as I added books.
I will be adding a bibliography of books we utilized for the Listening to Literacy Grow program to the blog.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Day #14 April 15, 2010
I have switched the groups today as to allow for more time with Group 2. The second group looses a few moments more with transition time. We also chose to use the Artistic Analysis Papers to express or readings for the day. This group loves to draw and be creative. They are the ones who designed the Listening to Literacy Grow Logo too. They even talk about the books while doing drawing and writing which is very influential to their choses in reading their next book. I find this is also a great way to allow for them to be the leaders in conversation and they truly make their points.
Group 2:
Group 1:
I did not use the cards to try and allow for the freedom to chose their discussions. Listen to their summaries and feelings below.
Day #13 April, 14, 2010
Todays Audio of Literature Discussions from Group 1:
Todays Audio Literature Discussion from Group 2:
Todays Audio Literature Discussion from Group 2:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Day #12
"I'm on CHAPTER NINE!" He exclaims to me as her turns the page and smiles very big. We are all onto chapter books this week and a couple students smile as they follow along while one is laughing out loud. It is really great to know they have retained their interest in reading over the spring break.
I mentioned in my last post that being able to share their voices and experience is very important as they develop their inquiry and comprehension skills.
TODAYS AUDIO of the LITERATURE DISCUSSION:
When I completed todays Listening to Literacy Grow group I was approached by another parent back in their home room class. She was very curious and asked to see the blog and hear what we were doing daily. I was able to share with her their interest in reading and the routine we have set up to utilize our time best when together. Like myself in the beginning, she did not think it was possible or at least she never read a book herself as she listened. Once I had the computer turned on and the blog open she was immediately interested in having the Listening to Literacy Grow web address to utilize the sites I have discovered and included in the left column. She has 2 sons and hopes this will help them strengthen their skills and love for reading. I hope she checks back in and lets me know how her sons like using the audio while reading at home.
The groups were combined today for a total of 6 students. This went very well as you can tell by the recording. I am very pleased to have figured out a way to get their voices on this blog. I will try and record smaller groups so that you can hear the depth and interest of each student more. When we are in larger groups there tends to be a few students that wish to talk the entire time and a few that are left in the back ground. Taking turns helps them to all get a chance to speak. I feel that the openness to express at anytime and the casual and accepting community they have created is really shinning through at this stage of them working together.
I learn as I grow and develop this blog and am happy to share with anyone how easy this really is. Just email me for my hints and tips.
I mentioned in my last post that being able to share their voices and experience is very important as they develop their inquiry and comprehension skills.
TODAYS AUDIO of the LITERATURE DISCUSSION:
When I completed todays Listening to Literacy Grow group I was approached by another parent back in their home room class. She was very curious and asked to see the blog and hear what we were doing daily. I was able to share with her their interest in reading and the routine we have set up to utilize our time best when together. Like myself in the beginning, she did not think it was possible or at least she never read a book herself as she listened. Once I had the computer turned on and the blog open she was immediately interested in having the Listening to Literacy Grow web address to utilize the sites I have discovered and included in the left column. She has 2 sons and hopes this will help them strengthen their skills and love for reading. I hope she checks back in and lets me know how her sons like using the audio while reading at home.
The groups were combined today for a total of 6 students. This went very well as you can tell by the recording. I am very pleased to have figured out a way to get their voices on this blog. I will try and record smaller groups so that you can hear the depth and interest of each student more. When we are in larger groups there tends to be a few students that wish to talk the entire time and a few that are left in the back ground. Taking turns helps them to all get a chance to speak. I feel that the openness to express at anytime and the casual and accepting community they have created is really shinning through at this stage of them working together.
I learn as I grow and develop this blog and am happy to share with anyone how easy this really is. Just email me for my hints and tips.
Day #11 April 2, 2010
We had a parent visitor to our group today and with her was the younger brother of one of the students. This was the perfect opportunity to allow the brother to utilize an ipod and read a picture book. With the students getting setup and me introducing the concept the young boy we were off and reading. The smile on the brothers face was memorable. He felt like one of the 2nd graders and it surely showed! This was not our 1st parent visitor but all three have actually been very impressed at how the students manager their time and the abundance of pages they read through daily. I am going to be following up to inquire about the motivation to read more at home with the program and its concept of improving the love for reading and fluency of developing readers.
I have attempted to record some more converstaions and discussions this week, but am finding the students demeanor changes with a camera present and they begin to loose their attention. Although this demonstrates their comfortability with one another it is difficult to understand. I will try and incorporate a podcast recording into the blog posts when we return from spring break. I am eager to share their discussions of the literature with you.
Well, next week is spring break so we will return with progress on April 13, 2010. Have a great spring break students!
I have attempted to record some more converstaions and discussions this week, but am finding the students demeanor changes with a camera present and they begin to loose their attention. Although this demonstrates their comfortability with one another it is difficult to understand. I will try and incorporate a podcast recording into the blog posts when we return from spring break. I am eager to share their discussions of the literature with you.
Well, next week is spring break so we will return with progress on April 13, 2010. Have a great spring break students!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
