I have recently started a new job in kindergarten. It is a lot of hard work, but I find it to be very rewarding! In addition to the video you have viewed, I have included some samples that students did that very day. I was very pleased with the results initially, but I have since had to do a little reteaching.
They were already familiar with a book about how to play soccer
My First Soccer Game by Alyssa Satin Capucilli that is part of the Lucy Calkins writing lesson set that the district has adopted, so the book about baking bread was another how-to book for them to see. This one is
Let's Make Bread by Mary Hill.
A few things I may have changed looking back...
Another adult may have made a better and faster sandwich maker, but as I did it, I realized that having a student follow the directions of the other students and make the sandwich in front of them made them more invested in the project.
I needed to have more questions ready during the wait time while my student spread the peanut butter and jelly. I didn't think it would take that long. AND, I should've loosened the jar lids!
I may have split the lesson into two sessions, one as you saw and then dismiss kids to write as they chose, and then a second shorter review lesson to teach writing How To books.
Something I notice that I do without thinking is I try to rush. I have been working slowing down the lessons to make sure everyone is getting it.
Please leave any comments or suggestions you have about the work or the lesson below so I can incorporate those the next time I try it!
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| Jamolyn 1 Page |
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| Scarlett Page 1 |
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| Ashley 1 Page |
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| Austin Page 1 |
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| Betzy Page 1 |
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| Brianna Page 1 |
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| Eduardo Page 1 |
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| Henry Page 1 |
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| Joshua Page 1 |
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Joshua Page 6
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Hi, Debbie. I really liked your lesson that you posted. I thought you did a very good job teaching that lesson. I noticed there was some sign language going on. Do you teach sign language to your students? The students seemed super excited about this lesson. Love that in students. Your reflection summed up anything I would have suggested for you to change. I used this same lesson with a twist for my students. They had to write the directions out on a paper then they came up individual to make a sandwich. If they didn't get the first step write they had to go back and rewrite. Eventually we got all the students sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Debbie! You are brave video taping your lesson and showing it to everyone! I liked how you kept telling your students to think about each step in their heads. I also appreciate how you shared the actual writing with us as well. (My kindergarteners have a range of writing skills just like yours). Good luck on the rest of your year with your kindergarteners.
ReplyDeleteRanda
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your teaching video with all of us! I know that recording and then sharing a video is hard work--plus we are vulnerable. Thank you!
As you were sharing I wondered if there were other "how to" books besides making bread--something most kinders probably have never done. Glad they heard another story beforehand. I remember you emailing me about these type of books and they honestly are not common form of literature.
You did a great job giving the transition words "next" to help students form a sentence. You also asked students to "can you say that in a sentence for me."
The next time you teach the lesson maybe make a sunburst anchor chart with "how to" in the middle. Then during the brainstorming add other things that they didn't come up with. You did this orally at the end before they went off to write. Another idea is to refer to the poster and ask every child to get a "how to writing idea" in their head. Then have them whisper to student next to them.
Did you have the transition words displayed for them to use--first, next, last, finally?
Another idea is to have your own page filled out--either making peanut butter sandwiches or something else like washing dishes. Just as another example for them to look at.
I understand why you shared, "what is your job today" yet wonder if there is a better way to say this. In the primary K-1 writing book About the Authors by Katie Wood Ray she discusses instead of making them write--let them write. I wonder how you could reword this?
I agree that this lesson should probably be broken into 2 or more days but you needed to do it this way since you were visiting this class. I enjoyed looking at all of the student writing. What did the classroom teacher think about the lesson?
Thank you Debbie!