| A typical day in room A-10......
8:30-8:35 Settling in time: Attendance, unpacking, pencil sharpening, and
independent reading
8:35 Morning Announcemnets
8:35-9:00 Morning Work
The children work independently at their desks on a task which reinforces
skills and strategies. The task varies daily, but may include Daily Oral
conceptual learning with manipulatives. We then complete corresponding
workbook pages, math journal entries, and story problems.
9:00-9:10 Greeting Meeting
We meet on the carpet to complete Calendar Math activities. This is an
important part of our day, where we reinforce important math concepts. Some
of the concepts we practice include telling time, counting coins, graphing,
and number patterns. We also use this time to do "sponge activities" such as
sight word flash cards (giggle cards), phonics songs and poems.
9:10-9:30 Word Study
At the end of our Greeting Meeting, the children read our Morning Message.
There is a different message each day. We use the message to reinforce phonic
elements, sight words, punctuation, or sentence structure. The children then
return to their desks for some meaningful practice, word sorts, and Making and
Breaking words with letter tiles.
9:30-9:45 Snack
9:45-10:35 Guided Reading/Learning Centers
The children work in small groups in different learning centers around the
room. Please see the center page for a more detailed description of our class
centers. While the children are working in centers, the teacher takes small
groups of children for Guided Reading. In Guided Reading groups, the children
read texts on their instructional level. They work on reading strategies,
word identification and comprehension. At the end of center time, we meet as a
class to share our work, talk about the books that we read, and discuss the
things we learned.
10:35-11:15 Shared Reading
During Shared Reading, we read big books, poetry, and good literature as a
class. We work on comprehension strategies and retelling. We also review
strategies for word identification when we read. After our group lesson, the
children complete a literature extension based on the book we read. The
literature extension reinforces the skills and strategies we discussed during
the lesson. Sometimes, the children will complete this project independently.
Other times, they will do projects with a partner or small group.
11:15-12:05 Math
We use the Houghton Mifflin program. Our math lessons usually begin with a
lesson on the math concept using manipulatives. We then apply the knowledge
using our workbook pages. We generally do the first side together, and the
teacher checks for understanding. Then, the children complete the back of
their workbook page independently. We also do Math Journal entries, small
group reteaching, and math tubs to reinforce our understanding of the concepts
being taught.
12:05-12:35 Lunch
12:35-1:00 Drop Everything and Read/Poetry Notebooks/Spelling
When we get back from lunch, the children spend some time reading books on
their independent reading level. We also add new poems and songs to our
poetry notebooks.
We then have a spelling lesson. We use the Zaner Bloser Spelling Connections
program. The children have a list of ten words each week. The words are
presented on Monday, and studied throughout the week. We have a quiz every
Friday. There are corresponding class and homework assignments to help the
children learn the spelling patterns presented each week.
1:00-1:30 Recess
1:30-2:00 Writing Workshop
The children write their own stories, usually on a topic of their choice. We
start each session with a focus lesson. The teacher introduces new skills and
strategies. Then, the children write independently, and the teacher gives
individual assistance. We end each Writing Workshop with a sharing circle,
where children may share their work.
2:00-2:45 Theme Unit Study
Depending on our schedule, the children visit a special class and we work on
our current unit of study in science or social studies. During theme time, we
do science experiments, make art projects, group projects, and writing
assignments.
On one day each week, we visit the computer room as a class. The children
work on the Success Maker Enterprise individualized computer program. This
program helps children review important literacy skills. Occasionally, we
also do projects with the computer teacher. We learn to use different
software,including Kidspiration and Kid Pix.
We will also visit our special classes-- Art, Music, Library, and Gym-- at
various times on different days.
2:50- Get ready to go home
3:00 Dismissal
| |
