Reading Stamina Analogy

When we talk about our students reading "good fit" books, we want them to read for a sustained period of time. This can and will happen when the books and stories they are reading are at their independent reading level. As parents, you should not be concerned that your child will remain in "easy books" for ever. If the child continually reads something more challenging where they have to stop and figure out many words, their stamina and interest will waiver. Research shows that as students build their stamina and successes through the reading of a good fit book, they will continue to grow and develop into lovers of literature.

Think of it as a walk on a treadmill. If you start on a speed level of 4 plus and an incline 5, you will be exhausted, frustrated and unmotivated to continue your workout. Should you begin at a more "good fit" level of 3.0 for a couple of weeks, you may find in time, you will increase that level before you know it. Your stamina and skill level will increase and you will be ready to move up a level. This is an analogy of our young readers. Readers will be inspired to move on when the time is right!

Summer Reading Fun

Preparing for summer vacation always includes a list of summer readings. Don't forget to plan for your child as well. Your first grader has come so far this year so you won't want to let them forget all the skills and strategies they learned. Students should continue to read and practice strategies all summer. Here is a cute site from Scholastic that encourages reading and writing with our friend Clifford.
I will continue to share great sites through the end of the year and over the summer as I find them. Happy reading and be proud of your child's successes!

The Count Down Begins

I believe the number is 36 days left of this school year. Where did the time go? Your children have worked hard becoming strategic readers, thoughtul writers, problem solving mathematicians, insightful historians and observers of science in our world. First graders grow and change quickly right before our eyes. It is a metamorphosis of growth and change in learning. One of the many rewards of teaching first grade is watching this growth and being part of the changes taking place.

As you look towards summer, take a look at this literacy website called "Reading Rockets". It will provide you with suggested literacy activities to do with your child to keep their skills polished over the summer. The last thing you want is for their skills to become "rusty" from lack of use.

Please stay tuned for up-coming end of the year plans and events. There will be mixed emotions of happiness (end of the year), saddness (missing teachers and friends) and anxiety (over what the next year will bring). The Killam School community will make the transition very easy. Happy Endings!

Happy Vacation Everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying their break away from school. My weekend started great as we were celebrating my son Ken's wedding shower on Sunday. He is getting married in July. I will also be spending time with friends up in Maine. Later this week I will be compiling lists of emails to invite participants to my KillamCafe wiki. Mrs. Macari and I presented a workshop on The Daily Cafe to over 60 people at Reading's Blue Ribbon Conference. We were very excited to see so many interested colleagues from as far away as Arkansas. The whole conference experience was awesome! So continue to rest, relax and have fun this week. Here is a Daily Five Photo Story that I used in the presentation. Enjoy!

Voki Web 2.0

I have been greeting my students with this Web 2.0 tool each morning and the students are loving it. Each day its a surprise as to the new character and conversation. I hope to have each student create a Voki so stay tuned.




Get a Voki now!

Voki

This is a new feature that I have been using to welcome students each morning. It is called a Voki and it is a Web 2.0 tool. The children really love it. I might have them each make one. So, stay tuned for more blog posts.

Wikispaces and Nings

Thank you for visiting my blog post today. As a surprise for you, you can happily visit my wiki to learn more about The Daily Five and Cafe used at Killam. After the Reading Blue Ribbon Conference in April, you will be invited to visit my Ning for Cafe discussions. Enjoy!