Learning to Read!

Learning to read is a first grader's main job, and we spend a lot of time each day in the process. Our morning Language Arts block is spent in whole group activities such as singing songs, listening to stories, practicing phonics, and learning comprehension stategies. Then we break into small groups. During group time, the children meet with me for small group instruction where we practice new vocabulary, review high-frequency words, play games, and read stories. There is also an independent seat work time, and an activity centers time. If you walked into the classroom between 8:30 and 11:00, you would be amazed at how independent and focused the children are on their "jobs." They have already made so much progress!

We are just completing our first theme in our anthology.

This week, we have been practicing decoding short a and short i words as we read "Pigs in a Rig."

We use our finger to point at the words as we read.

During work time, we work independently in our Practice Books and also do various reading, writing, and drawing projects.

We can also do free choice reading and writing when we finish our assigned tasks.

Adding details to our pictures is actually a reading skill!

Our para, Mrs. Pierce, is always available to help and answer questions.

"I finished everything today!"

Children have a Center Buddy for the week as they rotate through five different centers, one per day, while other children are working with me or doing their assignment for the day. Every center has a choice of activities, and reading books pertaining to the center is always a choice. The manipulatives center is always a favorite.

At the Fall center, we can make and decorate leaves, play a seasons game, draw a fall picture, or read a book.

The Language Master helps with vocabulary drill at the Language Arts center. The machine reads the magnetic tape on each card and says the word. We can hear it in the head phones.

We can also practice skills on the computer.

The book corner is a great place to relax and just read!

It's so much fun to learn to read!