Hello,
In an earlier blog I mentioned the article in The Reading Teacher about the students who learned how to crochet and how that facilitated their reading and writing. I decided to give it a try with my 3rd and 4th grade students.
I first bought myself a new crochet hook and some yarn and one for my students. One by one, I taught my students the chain stitch. When one student learned, he or she taught another student. I was surprisde by their interest in learning and teaching. Yes, even the boys are becoming crochet masters!
My students wrote letters to their parents requesting a few dollars to buy their own crochet hook and yarn and today they will each receive their own supplies! I was lucky enough to get a discount at the local fabric store so today my students will write "Thank You" letters to the store managers.
I am happily surprised at how this project has taken off with my students. They are learning how to communicate instructions in a sequential manner, how to listen to a read-aloud while crocheting, and how to write a persuasive letter and a thank you note to adults.
I'll keep you posted on our progress!
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Nifty Strategy To Help Your Child Read Fluently
Hello,
When children first learn to read, we check for one-to-one correspondence; is the child saying a word for each word on the page? Usually, the reader uses his finger to point to each word as he says it. But, as the reader becomes more accomplished, this is a habit that we want to change. We want the reader to read like he is talking - fluently.
One way to help your child reader to read more fluently is to use a bookmark to cover the words just after he has read them.
Ask your child to begin reading the first sentence. You will use the bookmark to cover the first word and the following words just after your child has read each word.
Continue to slide the bookmark over the words, moving along each sentence.
The goal is for your child to read the words before you cover them with the bookmark. Soon your child learn how to see the words ahead in the sentence before he actually needs to read them, which facilitates reading fluently.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
When children first learn to read, we check for one-to-one correspondence; is the child saying a word for each word on the page? Usually, the reader uses his finger to point to each word as he says it. But, as the reader becomes more accomplished, this is a habit that we want to change. We want the reader to read like he is talking - fluently.
One way to help your child reader to read more fluently is to use a bookmark to cover the words just after he has read them.
Ask your child to begin reading the first sentence. You will use the bookmark to cover the first word and the following words just after your child has read each word.
Continue to slide the bookmark over the words, moving along each sentence.
The goal is for your child to read the words before you cover them with the bookmark. Soon your child learn how to see the words ahead in the sentence before he actually needs to read them, which facilitates reading fluently.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Unique Way of Encouraging Literacy in the Community
Hello,
I read an article in the February 2009 issue of The Reading Teacher called, "The 42nd Crochet: Getting Students Hooked Into a Literacy Community". The article tells the story of how a second grade teacher taught her students how to crochet as a classroom management tool at the end of the school day. However, it quickly blossomed into a regular part of the classroom's literacy content. The students used their crocheting time as an opportunity to talk about books they were reading, to write about their crocheting projects, to problem solve, and to build relationships with the community outside of the classroom. The students wrote letters to local businesses asking for donations of crocheting supplies. Crocheting also became a big part of the students' home life. Students began crocheting at home either on their own or with other family members. This is a great way to spend some quality time with your child and discuss their literary interests just like in the classroom, to encourage dialogue with your child, and make gifts for family members all at the same time!
When I first read the title of this article, I was a little skeptical and unsure of how crocheting tied into literacy. But, now I'm excited about trying this out in my own classroom of 3rd and 4th graders. I'll keep you posted on our progress!
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
I read an article in the February 2009 issue of The Reading Teacher called, "The 42nd Crochet: Getting Students Hooked Into a Literacy Community". The article tells the story of how a second grade teacher taught her students how to crochet as a classroom management tool at the end of the school day. However, it quickly blossomed into a regular part of the classroom's literacy content. The students used their crocheting time as an opportunity to talk about books they were reading, to write about their crocheting projects, to problem solve, and to build relationships with the community outside of the classroom. The students wrote letters to local businesses asking for donations of crocheting supplies. Crocheting also became a big part of the students' home life. Students began crocheting at home either on their own or with other family members. This is a great way to spend some quality time with your child and discuss their literary interests just like in the classroom, to encourage dialogue with your child, and make gifts for family members all at the same time!
When I first read the title of this article, I was a little skeptical and unsure of how crocheting tied into literacy. But, now I'm excited about trying this out in my own classroom of 3rd and 4th graders. I'll keep you posted on our progress!
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
Monday, March 23, 2009
Motivating the Unmotivated Reader With Graphic Novels and Comic Books
Hello,
Do you have a child who is not interested in reading? There are many possible reasons for the lack of interest but the one with the quickest solution is finding interesting books to read. And if you have a disinterested boy reader, your challenge is even greater. However, do not despair. One of the best ways to get your child interested in reading is with the graphic novel or comic book.
Often times the comic book is poo-pooed and not taken seriously. But if you've ever read a comic book then you know they have plot lines, story archs, character development, and a vocabulary beyond the stereotypical onomatopoeia action words. Plus, the vivid pictures help the struggling reader with comprehension. As I tell my students, read the pictures and read the words!
If you would like some suggested titles, send me a comment and I will be happy to get you and your child started!
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
Do you have a child who is not interested in reading? There are many possible reasons for the lack of interest but the one with the quickest solution is finding interesting books to read. And if you have a disinterested boy reader, your challenge is even greater. However, do not despair. One of the best ways to get your child interested in reading is with the graphic novel or comic book.
Often times the comic book is poo-pooed and not taken seriously. But if you've ever read a comic book then you know they have plot lines, story archs, character development, and a vocabulary beyond the stereotypical onomatopoeia action words. Plus, the vivid pictures help the struggling reader with comprehension. As I tell my students, read the pictures and read the words!
If you would like some suggested titles, send me a comment and I will be happy to get you and your child started!
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
Friday, March 20, 2009
Story Boards to Help with Comprehension
Hello,
Many children can read the words on the page, but do they truly understand what they are reading? Do they remember what they read? One of my favorite tools to check for understanding with my students is to use a story board. The kids love using story boards because they are doing art but more importantly they are discovering for themselves how much they understand and remember from what they just read. And, when they learn on their own that they don't remember, they take it upon themselves to re-read.
I use a story board with a total of 6 squares. I have attached a link to a printable story board. Your child sketches the main events in a chapter in sequence. The object is to be able to tell the story using pictures and not words. When the sketches are complete, your child can color the pictures and add more details.
This is a fun, quick, and interactive activity to do with your child. Soon your child will begin to construct their own meaning from the words on the page and you'll have some fabulous art work to display!
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
Many children can read the words on the page, but do they truly understand what they are reading? Do they remember what they read? One of my favorite tools to check for understanding with my students is to use a story board. The kids love using story boards because they are doing art but more importantly they are discovering for themselves how much they understand and remember from what they just read. And, when they learn on their own that they don't remember, they take it upon themselves to re-read.
I use a story board with a total of 6 squares. I have attached a link to a printable story board. Your child sketches the main events in a chapter in sequence. The object is to be able to tell the story using pictures and not words. When the sketches are complete, your child can color the pictures and add more details.
This is a fun, quick, and interactive activity to do with your child. Soon your child will begin to construct their own meaning from the words on the page and you'll have some fabulous art work to display!
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sleepy Bear's Book Club
Hello,
In case you have not heard, Sleepy Bear hosts a book club for kids. He asks for suggestions about which book to choose each month and then he assigns how many pages to read. He asks questions to the kids and makes his own predictions and constructs meaning from what he reads. Kids can blog to Sleepy Bear about their favorite parts of the book or about anything they don't understand. Sleepy Bear is very good about responding to his blog questions. And parents, I moderate all comments before they are published. Check out his blog by clicking on the link to the left.
Currently Sleepy Bear is traveling in New York City with Moosey-Moose, but he plans to start a new book when he returns to Seattle in a couple of days. In the meantime, check out his previous book club blog entries.
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
In case you have not heard, Sleepy Bear hosts a book club for kids. He asks for suggestions about which book to choose each month and then he assigns how many pages to read. He asks questions to the kids and makes his own predictions and constructs meaning from what he reads. Kids can blog to Sleepy Bear about their favorite parts of the book or about anything they don't understand. Sleepy Bear is very good about responding to his blog questions. And parents, I moderate all comments before they are published. Check out his blog by clicking on the link to the left.
Currently Sleepy Bear is traveling in New York City with Moosey-Moose, but he plans to start a new book when he returns to Seattle in a couple of days. In the meantime, check out his previous book club blog entries.
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
A Few of My Favorite Books
Hello,
I've added a short list of a few of my favorite books for kids. This is a very short list but I will add to it and update it monthly. If you would like to know more about any of the books on the list, please comment on my blog or send me an email message at Kathleen@KathleenHunterWrites.com.
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
I've added a short list of a few of my favorite books for kids. This is a very short list but I will add to it and update it monthly. If you would like to know more about any of the books on the list, please comment on my blog or send me an email message at Kathleen@KathleenHunterWrites.com.
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
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