Tuesday was our first back after our Easter break. I always forget after holidays how good other workers have it by being able to go to the bathroom whenever they want!
Anyway… on Tuesday we reviewed Picturing Penguin while reading The Very Blue Thingamajig by Narelle Oliver. This book is great for teaching about visualising because of the rich descriptive text about the physical characteristics of the very blue thingamajig (as well as being a great text to celebrate difference!).
Before reading, we reviewed Picturing Penguin and then I read the book without showing the pictures. Many students closed their eyes as I was reading to help them see a picture in their mind.
After reading, I displayed the final page that describes what he looks like on the interactive whiteboard. We read through it several times while examining the meanings of some of the vocabulary used to describe his physical characteristics (twisty twirly, ferocious, waxy, tangerine etc), including the mathematical language like odd, even, four lots of two etc.
Each student was then given a piece of paper and as we went through the description one last time, they drew what they pictured the very blue thingamajig looked like based on the description. Here is what they came up with:
We also did some work this week on identifying the nouns and adjectives and writing sentences. We’ll continue working with it next week. I’m sure many of my Qld readers have also read this book this week… do you have any great ideas to share?
Next week, my school is starting to stream our Year 1s for reading. I’ve got 24 of the highest readers from across our 6 classes for an hour each day. Has anyone else tried this at their school and have some tips for making it as successful as possible?ย
ย
7 Responses
Hey Kylie! I have been at a few schools that have streamed for reading in fact at one school I instigated and organised it. The thing that I love about it is the resources not being stretched across many classes and the ability to be fluid with the groups. It also allows you to focus in on explicit instruction within that group and ability level. I usually have the other end of the scale and get the lower level kids and we saw that group shrink as the kiddos were able to increase their reading ability. Good luck with it!
PS we are streaming for maths at the school I am currently at and it is working really well.
Tania
Mrs Poultney’s Ponderings
Our Year 1’s stream for reading, utilising TA time, and it works brilliantly. Learning Support staff also assists on the lowest group. It seems to get great results – my Year 2’s this year are well versed in working in groups for reading.
Did you know that Narelle Oliver is a local Brissie girl! I actually purchased a signed copy of this book from her the first year it was a recommended text for Year 1 – she is a lovely lady … enjoy the term … J
Hi! I’m also teaching year one in Queensland! We have done very similar with Thingamajig last week! This week we are pulling apart the vocab (e.g. muttered, scowled) and then creating our own Thingamajig and using our own adjectives to describe.
LOVE your visualising card! Where can I purchase these? Couldn’t find the link to your TPT store.
You have such wonderful ideas – thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks Tania, sounds like it worked at treat at your school! Math streaming sounds really good as well!
I didn’t know Narelle is from Brisbane! I love supporting Aussie readers though, so I might look into other books she has authored!
Thanks for your idea, Alison! The kids would have loved creating their own Thingamajig! I might add that to my arsenal next year if I’m Year 1.
Here is the link to my reading cards – the kids love them! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Beanie-Baby-Strategy-Cards-Decoding-Comprehension-Fluency-Vocabulary-cards-797296
An interesting blog. I’ve started my own up and I write on some teacher issues. Your readers might be interested in this one:
http://dalehughes.com.au/2014/05/09/our-attitude-towards-teachers-must-change/