This is my second year using the Units of Study, but my first year using the Kindergarten / 1st grade Units. Implementing the Units and the Reading Workshop model is the first change I wanted to make in this classroom and already I am very grateful that I have. I am loving the Kindergarten unit as I am seeing my students already identifying themselves as readers, and being excited to read books, even though they can't read quite yet. I love how Lucy put it, having students view themselves as kids that had always been read to, to being the ones that are doing the reading. Most of my students are taking to this new approach, working on their private and partner reading, marking WOW! pages and putting a "pinch of themselves" into their reading. I still have a couple of kiddos that are struggling picking up a book and sitting with it, but we are working on it!
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read the K-2 guide as it helps put some more pieces in place for me. I enjoy doing the mini-lessons, but as a new teacher I am still trying to figure out how to put all the pieces together to ensure that I have a full reading / literacy program. When and how do you fit in word work, writing, read-alouds, handwriting, writing about reading, fluency, comprehension. speaking, listening, guided reading groups, conferring, etc. etc.? I still find it all a little overwhelming and I don't want to miss anything, but I like the structure that the LC program provides so I feel that if I am trying to follow that structure then I can't be too far off!
Karie,
ReplyDeleteI too am using the LC units for the second year, and like you I really like how this course is giving me the time to dig deeper into the K-2 guide. I have seen a lot of growth in my students independent reading and have really enjoyed doing 1:1 conferences this year. I have found that I need to alternate days between readers workshop and literacy paths to ensure that I am getting in some of the other things you mentioned, such as word work and guided reading group. I also use some of my writing time for handwriting, Orton Gilliangham and writing about reading. I am interested to see what my time study shows.
It will take several years to feel as though you are fitting it all in. This is my 3rd year using the reading workshop model and I am just finding ways to fit in as much as possible. Lucy is chalk full of "good stuff" but sifting through it all takes time and implementing everything is extremely difficult. Keep plugging away at it and it will get easier with time.
ReplyDeleteI haven't met a teacher yet who feels he/she is fitting it all in or teaching everything that needs to be taught! I'm glad the class is getting you deeper into the guide and materials and trying it all out is helping with implementation.
ReplyDeleteHi Karie, I think we all still struggle with that even if we have been using the program for a few years. We have a dedicated time for OG, reading and writing and all other stuff we fit it during those blocks. It does feel like a struggle to do it all, and I honestly just don't think you can ever make it work perfectly. You may need to have a schedule that tells you what you are going to focus on that day, be it comprehension through a read aloud, fluency with sight word phrases, etc. I found that I had to be extremely creative and make myself a schedule for guided reading groups. I think it will always be a work in progress, but that's good b/c it means your being reflective of your teaching and continuously changing.
ReplyDelete