Writing in the Kinder Classroom

Background: 
My first experience in Kinder, came during my student teaching placements in San Luis Obispo. I was fortunate enough to have a master teacher who had many years of experience, valued Comprehensive Literacy, and utilized the Lucy Calkins' curriculum. (She was phenomenal!)

Last year, I was bound to a full implementation of the Open Court Reading (OCR) curriculum. As a first year teacher, I tried to appreciate have a lesson plan and materials already prepared for each day. However, I became frustrated with the length of time each lesson took to teach (all day!) and the lack of cultural relevance. Plus, there was the incessant need to drastically improve my instruction and the adapt the curriculum to make it my own. My lack of authenticity while teaching, resulted in a decreased connection and meaningful experiences for my students.

This couldn't be more evident, than during my Writing time. Next year, I will be at a new school that values innovative thinking to meet the need's of each student. So this summer, I am conducting my own research and reading, before official "PD" begins.


Moving Forward: 
I have read various "literacy" texts including: Calkins' Units of Study for Teaching Writing, Debbie Diller's Literacy Work Stations, and the Boushey and Moser's Daily 5. Everything I have read contains valuable information and strategies that will be incorporated into my instructional practice.

Making it Happen:
I am also trying to balance that information with the abilities that my students will arrive with on Day 1. Many students may lack mastery of letters and sounds, preschool experience, and fluency in English. I fully support our instructional model and the potential for all student to make 1.5 years of growth. However, this just means that the beginning of the school year present some challenges. I am looking forward to exploring high leverage ELD strategies to help students generate "Big Ideas" and communicate thoughts with others.

If you have any suggestions or resources.. I would be so appreciative if you shared!


Have a great Monday!


Jordan 



Some of today's reading: 


A Curricular Plan for the Writing Workshop (Kinder) 
http://www.heinemann.com/products/E04301.aspx

Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project
http://readingandwritingproject.com/resources/assessments/writing-assessments.html

Summer Reading

It's officially SUMMER... which means that it's time to reflect and recharge! I have at least 10 books on my summer reading list, but there is always room for more. Not all of these titles are new, but it always helps to re-read and brush-up on the "classics".

Here is what I am looking at in the next few weeks, let me know if you have any suggestions!

Thank You Maggie!

A Big Thank You to Maggie at Maggie's Kinder Corner for the goodies that popped up in my Inbox last week! feel very fortunate to be one of four lucky winners of her first summer giveaway! Check out her blog for more contests and freebies! Thank You for sharing!

End of the Year...New Beginnings

Report Cards are complete and have been submitted. The paper work is filed and students have been placed in their 1st grade classes. I have taken down 90% of my borders and bulletin boards.

The checklist is slowly getting crossed off. So why does it feel like there is so much to do?

My first year of teaching (in Oakland) has come to an end and now I am preparing to start all over again in San Jose. Luckily, I will be teaching Kindergarten again, so at least I will have knowledge of the age group, standards, and classroom management strategies.

I am "over-the-moon" about my new school and not just because it's a Rocketship school (had to say it!). I have a tendency to choose the most demanding option possible and I hope that Rocketship doesn't prove me wrong. My time with World Academy and Education for Change has been a wonderful learning/life experience and I am so sad to leave my kiddos.

Over the next few months, I will be posting my ideas for the upcoming year. Some posts will be focused on curriculum and others on classroom design. I forgot to mention that I will be teaching Literacy, which will bring a focus to my research and posts. Hopefully, you in find my posts meaningful and informative. 

Thank You for visiting!

-Jordan