According to all the standardized yardsticks that I am supposed to measure my kids with, this is one of my "lowest" students. This student currently reads on a level D (first grade should begin on level D and end on level J) and is in math RTI (response to intervention is for students who score low on testing). However, this student has a thirst for learning, is excited to be at school, and is so proud of every accomplishment. Back in my day this student would have been an exemplary student, not a low student. [In our current unit we are writing "All About" books, that teach something. The students had access to a variety of non-fiction texts to use for research material if they first wanted to learn more about a topic. This is a wonderful writing program (Lucy Calkins) that is student centered.] This is a sample of this student's latest writing project.
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| While this page doesn't seem to be informational, the student is referring to the fact that the mamas and daddies take turns caring for the egg and hatchling. |
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| The student is referencing that there are different species of penguins. Again, this is on a first grade level, not high school. |
The only spelling that the student fixed were the words "eat" and "different". The writing program stresses that the students figure out which words need to be fixed with minimal teacher intrusion. They are given tools to use, such as word walls and dictionaries, and then check their work against these. On the first page I simply said, "I think there might be a misspelled word on this page." The student immediately pointed to "eta" and I confirmed that was it. Then the student walked over to our classroom word wall and fixed the spelling. For the word "different" the student copied it from an anchor chart hanging in the room that was covering "How things are the same/ different". They learn to look for ways to help themselves.
Two points that I could go back and talk to this student about are 1) Have you checked that the word "penguins" is spelled the same all the way through your book? 2) In the word "share", what makes the letter a say it's name? (missing silent e) So you see there is still room for editing and correcting.
When we give our High Stakes Tests we cover up everything in the room and take away all the tools they are used to having at their disposal. Guess how well they do on the tests.
It's a snow day here. I brought home lots of planning material and hope to get bunches done today!
3 comments:
Every child should have you as a teacher.
Ahhh, that's nice. But I think every child should have you for a teacher!
My mind is full of comments...the good, the bad and the ugly. You, my dear, are a rare and precious teacher that these children will hold as an example of "how to be". You do fantastic work. Now...if you'd like to teach my teenagers how to help themselves find answers...
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