Balanced literacy
I implement a balanced literacy approach towards instruction. That approach includes the following:
- Modeled Reading (Teacher reading aloud)
- Shared Reading (Child joins in reading aloud – usually to a big book)
- Guided reading (Child is assisted in reading and develops independent reading strategies)
- Independent reading (Child reads materials from personal book box)
- Buddy Reading (Children read in pairs)
- Running Records (Formal inventory of each child’s oral reading)
- Modeled writing (Teacher writing)
- Shared writing (Child joins in the writing)
- Independent writing (Child writes alone)
Phonics
Phonics is an important part of our program as it expands children’s reading and writing powers. We begin with early literature concepts such as distinguishing between print and pictures, letters and words. Later, we move onto letter knowledge, spelling patterns, word meaning and structure.
Writing
Writing is essential part of every classroom! Walled Lake has adopted the Common Core writing standards. We will write narrative, nonfiction, persuasive and informational text. As the year continues, your child will be encouraged to use approximate or inventive spelling. Children go through specific development stages while they are learning to write. I hope you will join me in celebrating your child’s initial entry into the realm of writing. Encourage his/her best attempts of spelling, and foster an awareness of the importance of the meaning of the story.
Small Groups
My philosophy is that I meet all students at their reading, writing and math level. In reading, writing and math your child will be in small and/or individual groups. I focus these small flexible groups to meet the unique individual needs of your student