Up in the Sky

Today my students completed a brainstorm of what we find in the sky. This task was a starting point for our integrated topic of  ‘Up in the Sky’ and our big question of ‘What changes happen in the sky?’. As a one and two team we have decided to take an inquiry-based approach to our topic. This method takes in our differentiated learning approach and also links into AusVELS Science Inquiry Skills strands.

My students surprised me with their responses and some that I didn’t even think of such as the ozone layer, oxygen and planets.

We started our parent helper program today and we were lucky enough to have 3 mums working in our learning space today. I enjoy linking the classroom with our parents and families and it also gives us a chance to show off our classroom and learning.

Claire 

Holiday Postcard

Not just Teaching

Not only is teaching and learning one of my passions, I also enjoy as I call it 'Crafting'.

My Nana, Sadie who is turning 99 in July was an amazing seamstress, who passed this skill onto my mum, my sister and I. Although I think some of the talent in regards to knitting were lost on me. I spent many school holidays rummaging through my Nana's material room and her teaching me her craft, although I still can't knit!

Over the last few years I have been to local craft markets (following in my Mum's footsteps) and selling my 'Made to Measure' handmade items of brooches, hair clips and headbands created out of tape measures and buttons.


In the last week my sister had a little baby girl 'Isla Sadie' and another friend had a baby girl too. I just had to make them something, so I had a go at making a knotted blanket (no sewing required) and I think they turned out just gorgeous.

Claire

Holidays... Over

Every holidays I write myself a BIG list of things to do, but some how I never seem to get to the end. So here I am on the last few days wondering where have the holidays gone. Although my list of 'other than school stuff' looks pretty full, I have managed to achieve some goals I set for myself in relation to school and my planning documents. I am excited to start using these next term and sharing them with my team.

I have just got back from a few days away in Halls Gap in the Grampians, a little town surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges. My good friend from my high school days and I escaped with her two children to celebrate her birthday.

Enjoy the last few days.

Claire

The Daily 5 Box

I got the idea of giving each of my students their own box from reading The Daily 5, other blogs and looking in other teachers classrooms.

In our learning space my students Daily 5 box is kept in a reachable area and the students responsibility to look after them. These boxes stay with them during our Daily 5 time and in a way they are each individualised to their learning and needs.

The Ingredients:

- 3 or 4 books that the student has chosen using I-PICK, that being a 'best-fit' book

- a book that is being used during Guided Reading

- a writing book to complete 'Work on Writing' and 'Word Work' tasks

- I-PICK bookmark

- a coloured folder to keep work that is done during 'Word Work', 'Work on Writing' or 'Listening to Reading' 

- Look, Say, Cover,Write, Check book

- flash cards to remind of expectations 

- student chosen 'Daily 5' goal

- a set of spelling words

- laminated handwriting sheet

- any work that is a work in progress

As you can probably see from the picture I like to be organised (and it has rubbed off my students) and everything is labelled in their boxes and also around the room. This stops those questions of 'where does this go?'.

I love these boxes, not only is everything kept together (great for assessment), but the students are so proud of them and love showing them off to visitors.

Claire

Daily 5 and 1/2H

Work on Writing 

I am sure that how we each run our Daily 5 looks different in each learning space. I have tailored ‘The Sisters - Daily 5’ to suit my teaching style. If you have read ‘The Daily 5’ by Gail Bouchey and Joan Moser (if you haven’t, get your hands on a copy) you would note that they encourage their students to pick which task they would like to do. I have structured my two hour English block so that each student completes the 5 tasks of 'Read to Self', 'Read to Someone' 'Work on Writing', 'Word Work' and 'Listen to Reading' each day.

Our day begins with all students completing 'Read to Self' then moving onto 'Read to Someone' which takes about 40 minutes. We then meet together to read a book (focusing on a particular reading strategy) and share our Learning Intention, Success Criteria and Learning Behaviours for the day. The students then rotate through the last three tasks. It has taken us nearly all term, but they are now able to work independently while I work with a small guided reading group or  have a conference with an individual student. Some days I step back and take in what is happening in my room and the enthusiasm and independence my students show for their learning never fails to surprise me. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t happen over night but it has happened!

Word Work 

I would love to know what Daily 5 looks like in your space.

Claire

Daily 5 and me

Last year while team teaching with Paula, she introduced me to the “The Sisters” and “The Daily 5 – Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades” and I/we haven’t looked back.

Listen to Reading

Using their book as a basis we developed and implemented our own Daily 5 program that suited our teaching and our learning space (44 students, 2 teachers and many parent helpers). We began this adventure mid year and each week when we got together to plan we were amazed at our students successes, independence and enthusiasm. Who said Preps (5 and 6 year olds) can't write or read independently for 30 minutes?

At the end of last year, as it is at the end of every year, it was sad to say goodbye to my students and my teaching buddy Paula, but I was extremely excited to start the Daily 5 program with my new grade.

Word Work

Along with Paula and I, a lot of other teachers had dabbled in Daily 5 and my new grade had some understanding of what the program is and how it works. One of my students on the first day of school asked when were we doing Daily 5 and was disappointed when told not until next week; I knew there and then that this was going to be great year!

Happy Easter

Hi all, I am back from my little Easter break and back to full Internet coverage. I spent the break celebrating my good friend's birthday, eating too much chocolate, shopping, and swimming with seals and dolphins. I hope you all had the chance to take some time out, too.

Claire