Notes From the Classroom

Hello,

Today is our last full day in the classroom so I thought it appropriate to write about the classroom.

I don't use the word "amazing" very often because I think it is often over used. But in this case, I find it appropriate. My students have been truly amazing the past few months with their crocheting activities. I have watched them persevere through their frustrations of not being able to start a single chain stitch, their coasters looking like triangles instead of squares, lost hooks and knotted balls of yarn. Today, they are making gifts for each other of perfectly stitched scarves, square coasters, hats, blankets, and gifts for Sleepy Bear and Moosey-Moose!

During a portion of our literacy block I give them the choice of either reading independently or with a partner, blogging, or crocheting. I also ask them to "mix-it-up" so they are not always doing the same activity. Eventually, they came up with a way of doing it all! For example, a group of girls might sit in a circle at a table to crochet, except one girl will read while the others crochet. After the first girl reads 1-2 pages (they decide beforehand how much each person will read), then she passes the book to the next girl and the first girl will crochet. They continue around the circle until the literacy block is over. And it's not only the girls who are doing this. The boys are equally engaged in their crocheting/reading activity.

For those who choose to blog, they are writing to Sleepy Bear and Moosey-Moose about their crocheting projects and making them their own coasters and a scarves! Check-out their blogs for pictures and comments from the students.

The crocheting/blogging/reading combination has been a great success. My students' literacy skills improved, (we have test scores to prove it, too!), their verbal as well as written communication skills have greatly improved, they have advanced in their technology know-how, and their overall community in the classroom has been a pleasure to watch and be around.

Happy Reading!

Kathleen