Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Rachel Ormand August Blog
In the article "Not This" I immediately felt like Debbie Miller had visited my classroom in her three day visit. As I was reading I kept saying in my mind, "I do that!", "I say that!" when Debbie was talking about the different things that go in on a kindergarten classroom. Being that I am a "newer" teacher I do not feel very comfortable or confident during my independent reading time in my classroom. I am still trying to figure out what works best for me and my students. Also, conferencing is something that I am still trying to figure out and I still struggle with what questions to ask my students during a reading conference. I DO feel like I am doing it right, I guess it will just take time for me to be comfortable with it. This article opened my eyes to the importance of giving children free time to read, but I feel like there are other academic areas that are important in the classroom as well.
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I agree with you Rachel. It just takes time to figure out what works best with your teaching style and group of students. Then it changes the next year!
ReplyDeleteRachel, I really like the way the article got you thinking. And, I know that you are working to figure it out for you and your students. And, yes, it does change every year! Conferencing is always a struggle, even for the seasoned teacher; but the time spent is invaluable: the insight you gain is priceless. Knowing your students as readers will open both their eyes and your eyes to so much more. Reading is at the heart of most of what we do in school. It's okay to give it priority--especially in kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I felt as if she was in my classroom as well. I agree book talks seem harder to do as newer teachers. I also think its harder for me because my students are not yet traditional readers, so my book talks are more picture talks.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how what you read connected with your experiences as a kindergarten teacher. Share with us some specific ideas you took away from this section? What suggestions or strategies did Miller share that you could use in your kindergarten classroom? Did she give you anything to think about? What did you agree/disagree with? What classroom practices did she validate and promote that you are already doing and what practices did she suggest that you want to try?
Thanks,
Dawn
I disagree with what Mrs. Miller said about calendar activities possibly not being very important when it comes to independent reading. Mrs. Miller was talking about how when she visited other schools, they were busy doing calendar, but I feel like calendar is just as important as independent reading. Especially in kindergarten. I do agree that maybe the time spent in calendar should dwindle down some in the older grades but the things learned in calendar time are very important and beneficial to a kindergartners mind. Plus, they do a different form of reading in calendar, because they are asked to read their days of the week and months of the year. However, I do think that my calendar time could be shortened just a little since everything is repeated every day. Students are exposed to basically the same things in calendar, so maybe after September or October, calendar time can be shortened some so independent reading time can be increased. I realized while reading this article that I do not spend enough time allowing my students to read independently, but I just do not think I have the spare time in my schedule. I do have a set time for independent reading, plus I keep book baskets on my tables so my early finishers can read a book and students have free choice during center time and one of the center choices in reading. However, from what I read in the article, I should have more guided independent reading time. I feel like I need to look back over my daily schedule and see where I can cut some wasted time and use that time for independent reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rachel!
ReplyDelete