Book Discussion #2

Shannon and I discussed Chapters 4 and 5 in Dr. Anne’s Kindergarten Literacy.  Chapter 4 tells us that we are to become ‘evaluation experts.’  This tells me that the ultimate purpose of assessment is to provide the best possible instruction to meet the needs of each individual student.  The book states that we are to ‘choreograph’ lessons so that no student feels sidelined or unchallenged.  We believe that you must know a child to teach a child.  Shannon and I also discussed how one school constructed a local norm.  Based on their findings, they could see what the “average yearly progress” looked like for a kindergarten student.  As a poor school, I feel that we have dug deeper into what our students know and should know entering kindergarten.  Chapter 5 discussed different ways to teach the alphabet, names and words.  The book states that a child’s name is their most prized possession.  Shannon and I both agree that using a child’s name to teach the alphabet is a powerful tool.  The book talked about the importance of visual support and think alouds.  Shannon and I are using both of these techniques in our classrooms through the use of interactive read alouds.  I love the activity suggestions that are offered on page 172-173.  Although I am doing some of the activities, I love to build my ‘tool box’ of resources.  Shannon and I can use many of the activities suggested in this chapter.  Shannon and I loved how the book broke down each activity and explained how to use it in the classroom.  The activities suggested can be differentiated to benefit any learner in our classroom.  I have not used my word wall a lot in the past.  I will definitely use the word wall activities listed on page 186 in my classroom this fall.  The chapter ends by reminding us that kindergartner's learn better when they are motivated.  Our job is to keep them motivated through literacy rich activities.