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How will you use the information in your classroom?
Both of these chapters had
lots of great ideas for my classroom. I
love the idea of acting out a play or story in groups. You could also videotape this to watch later
or share with parents. The ELs could
have smaller speaking roles or just roles that require them to act like an
animal or make animal noises if they are not completely comfortable with
English. This chapter also suggested having
email pen pals from a reliable group called ePALs. I am definitely going to go online and check
this out. Children need to practice communication
and writing skills, and this is a way to easily use technology to communicate!
You can help the ELs with their writing, or two children could buddy up in our
classroom to write an email together to their new friend. Another way I
integrate technology is by using websites like Pebble Go and Book Flix. These websites read books online to the
children, which models fluency and expression.
This is an easy homework assignment and can help the parents become
better readers too. Through Pinterest, I
am also discovering some reliable sources on YouTube of famous authors reading
children’s books. Along with listening
to books on CD, these are easy and fun ways for ELs and other struggling
readers to gain more exposure to quality texts read aloud in their new language.
Chapter 5 had some great
ideas on how to better immerse literacy into the classroom. I liked the idea of adding a picture of the
child to their name on the word wall. I
always have my kids decorate their name for the word wall on the first day of
school. Adding a picture would be fun,
helpful for those who can’t read yet, and it would build a sense of
community! On page 202 in chapter 5, the
authors suggest using dialog journals to model correct writing habits. The student will write 1-2 sentences to the
teacher, and the teacher will respond and ask questions. The teacher won’t blatantly correct grammar
or spelling, but will model the correct way to write and spell inconspicuously. The EL will hopefully feel comfortable
writing to just the teacher and can practice spelling and writing without the
fear of embarrassment. I tried these
journals a couple years ago, and it was a struggle to keep up with the job of
responding to all of my kids. It's a fantastic idea, and any
suggestions on managing this with 25 first graders this year are quite welcome!
Kristin:
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about a safe classroom for students to share their beginning writing skills with the teacher. One of the most important jobs a teacher has is creating a safe learning environment for students. Sometimes it is hard to remember what it is like as a student!
I liked the idea of recording plays or readers theater in the classroom. I had not thought of that but it would be fun to play back for the class so they could see how they all did and see how the play looked while they performed it. It would also be something that could be shared with parents especially if they could not attend the live version. I did not focus on the ePals writing thing but when you mentioned having them work with partners I liked the idea more. You will have to try it and let me know how it works! I also wrote about dialogue journals. I think it is a great concept but like you I am unsure of the management of it. Sarah suggested having a homework journal where they write about what they are reading. Maybe incorporate it that way and then respond to certain students on certain days?
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the dialog journals it is so difficult to keep up with them. I guess you don't have to have students write in the everyday. That way, you don't have to respond to them everyday. The students really love writing and sharing and it is a great way to model writing but with our growing class sizes it takes a huge commitment.
ReplyDeleteI also use Book Flix & Pebble Go. My kids, especially my ELs, LOVE these. I love that they can have it read to them, or turn that function off if they don't need it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I use to do dialogue journals, each student would have a day that I would reply. They would write every day, but I would only reply once a week. This allowed me to only have to read and respond to only about 5 a day. This made it much more manageable.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of videotaping your stories. I was interested to see your comments about journals with the children because this is something I really want to do. We will have to talk.
ReplyDeleteMy children love to use Pebble Go and Book Flix. As a matter of fact two students who were out sick this week asked their parents to contact me so they could look up things about American symbols at home. This is such a wonderful technology tool that is provided for our students. I love the idea of ePals. I guess that didn't jump out at me during the readings. I can so see that working with first graders in pairs. You could think about using and older buddy class to help them get started. Some of our first grade classes have third and fourth grade technology buddies to help publish stories.
ReplyDelete