BSLA making progress in Literacy

This group of children have been learning how to spell cvc words found in the book they are reading. They are also practising segmentation of words and phonic awareness by sounding out each letter. Each book has some Maori kupu in it as well. They are introduced to the focus sounds for each week. Students are looking closely at blends and double vowel sounds from this book. This is a good opportunity to identify correct letter formation from each child writing on their whiteboard.

BSLA - Literacy skills

As per the recommendation, I have been reading one quality storybook a week with my class. Throughout the book, I read the explanantions of new words in each sentence which need highlighting. I have noticed that by the end of the week, the children have learnt new words to add to their vocabulary as well as Te Reo Maori words and their meanings. I encourage the children to think about the characters in the story, name them if possible and write down their ideas using a whiteboard marker and pens. Each contribution is acknowledged with verbal praise and encouragement. This helps students with their story writing ideas and writing full sentences, rather than stand alone words. I brainstorm ideas on the mat, using the whiteboard and draw a mind map with the title in the middle. This is a whole class learning opportunity with role modelling of sounding out unknown words. I may gift them some of the new vocabulary words if they are tricky? This technique promotes cognitive skills and uses a peer scaffolded approach to learning together and helping each other. I have noticed an improvement in the top writing group, adding more detail. They are writing more, and starting to use a sequence of events to recall what happened.

Term 3 Inquiry focus

After an online staff PD focus on Writing as a Curriculum area, I have 5 new children to focus on to make progress and work towards achievable outcomes. These new goals in Writing are; to focus on quality, not quantity and use more detail based on interesting ideas. My new targets that were suggested by other teaching colleagues are: to have a buddy to proof read their writing (checking for punctuation and a beginning, middle and an end), and also using the 5 W's as a guide to add more content to their stories.

Letter to your teacher!

One of my Year 2 students wrote this letter to me. Although I haven't seen her on our Hangouts, she has been doing online learning at home with support from her family during this second lockdown. Hi Mrs Carter i miss you very much I hope we Come back to school. I‘m learning how to roller skate the first day I fell over but I tried again the next day. I had a good birthday I have a lot of presents And I had a chocolate cake.

Letters in lockdown from one of my students!

 Dear Mrs Carter Hi how are you and family. Hope you are okay. Me and our family are all fine. May God protect us from corona virus.

ENGAGE games with Mrs Carter.

Team 2 Literacy recount of My favourite ENGAGE game! Today we played "Pass the beanbag" and we used Mrs Carter's soft toy kiwi to throw around to a friend. It was so much fun!