Teaching students to read is the top priority of a kindergarten teacher!

Reading and writing skills are connected. I believe in a child-centered classroom with many opportunities for real life reading and writing experiences. The literacy activities in my classroom will include reading approached with numerous strategies for my kiddos to become skillful readers. The balance between literacy and writing in my classroom will allow my students to receive the teaching needed in order to succeed, while allowing students to work at a level that is not frustrating for them. My goal as a teacher is to help children become readers and writers who enjoy and value literacy.

Balanced Literacy is the balance of teacher-initiated activities and student-initiated activities along with an emphasis on assessment. A balanced program requires opportunities for reading and writing to students, reading and writing with students, and reading and writing by students.

Time

Literacy Activity

Texts/Materials Grouping Structure

9:00 Book Browsing: students select a book for independent reading or browsing, and gather on the carpet until everyone is assembled and lessons can begin.

Self-selected independent-reading materials Individual or buddies

9:15 Shared Literacy Routines: shared readingormodeled, shared, or interactive writing

•Big Books, Interactive, or Language experience•Chart Paper

Whole class (built-in structures mean learning can take place at many levels)

9:30 Guided Reading:2-3groups per day

Independent Literacy Routines

Leveled reading materials at instructional level of groups; balance of fiction and non-fiction

Small, needs-based groups

Heterogeneous groups or individual9:45

10:00

10:15 Word Wall Routines High-frequency words “harvested” from reading and writing

Whole class or large group, as needed

10:30 Recess Break

10:45 Interactive Read-aloud Well written texts in a variety of genres; beyond students’ reading level

Whole class

11:00

11:15

11:30

Writing Workshop

•mini lesson

•Independent writing

•Author’s Chair

Writing materials; writing may extend from read-aloud

Individual

11:45 Lunch Break

Ability Flexible Heterogeneous Interest Needs-Based Small Group Whole Group

5 Star Writing/ WOW Paper!I wrote two or more sentences that my teacher can read. I started with a capital letter, have finger space, and punctuation at the end!

4 Star Writing!I used a capital letter to start my sentence. I ended my sentence with a punctuation mark. I have a finger space between my words. My teacher can read what I wrote.

3 Star Writing!I made a detailed picture. I wrote a simple sentence.

2 Star Writing!I made a picture. I wrote some letters and/or words.

1 Star Writing!I made a picture.

At School Assist with literacy stations in the classroom. Be present at Parent/Teacher Conferences Lend a hand with the necessary making of classroom tools Volunteer/read to the class

At Home Gift of Gab---Converse with you child about their day at

school Listen to and Read books to your child Practice sight words Steer kiddos in completing homework

Online Resources for Kids

www.starfall.com www.funbrain.com www.spellingcity.com

Online Resources for Parents

www.rif.org/parents/ www.nifl.gov/publications/

publications.html

Please pick up a copy of the family literacy brochure as you exit the room. This will be a useful tool in helping you create a lifelong reader and writer.

Au, K. H., Caroll, J. H., & Scheu, J. A. (1997). Balanced literacy instruction: A teacher’s resource book. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc.

French, C., Morgan, J., Vanayan, M., & White, N. (2001). Balanced literacy: Implementation and evaluation. Education Canada, 40 (4), 23.

Boushey, Gail, Joan Moser (2009). The CAFE book: Engaging all students in daily literacy assessment & instruction. Portland, MN: Stenhouse Publishers.

California Department of Education (1996). Teaching reading: A balanced comprehensive approach to teaching reading in prekindergarten through grade three. Sacramento, CA.

Graves, B.B., Graves, M.F., & Juel, C. (2006). Fourth edition teaching reading in the 21st century. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Kieczykowski, Carol (2000). Expanding the primary writer's workshop. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Grank Schaffter Publications.

Reutzel, D.Ray & Robert B. Cooter, Jr. (2008). The essentials of teaching children to read:The teacher makes the difference; Second edition. Allyn & Bacon.

Tancock, S. (2009). Lecture #1. Ball State University: Muncie, IN.Ward, Beatrice A. (1987).Instructional grouping in the classroom. ERIC database.