Independent Reading

Even this early in Kindergarten we have a time devoted each day to independent reading. You might wonder what in the world the children are doing during this time if they can't really read?!! During the first weeks of school we teach the children that they are readers. Before they can read the words they can read the pictures and the pictures tell a story. So... during this time, some of the children are actually reading the words in books and others are "telling" the story through the pictures. The children also have books in their "Book Buddy" such as Nursery Rhymes that they have been studying, alphabet books because they recognize the letters which helps them figure out the pictures and the words and "Star Books", the books they have heard over and over. There is lots to learn during independent reading!

The Ruark Connection

Last Friday our kindergarten class partnered with Mr. Ruark's 5th grade class in a mentor reading program. We thought it would be a great idea to keep it in the family by having both Ruark and Ruark/Timmons classes team up throughout the year. This program pairs one of Mr. Ruark's 5th graders with 2-3 of our kindergartner's. The older students model reading books with intonation, as well as, discussion about the books many elements (characters, setting, plot, etc). This not only provides a great read-a-loud to our class but also builds a big brother/big sister relationship with our older students. Both the 5th grade students and our students loved the experience and can't wait for next Friday's read-a-loud. Mr. Ruark told me later that evening that his students were arguing over how each of their little reading partners were better than anyone elses! They absolutely loved it!

Open House

Thank you for joining us at Open House! We had a blast!

A Rhyme Hunt

Today we had a Rhyme Hunt! We gave the children a list of pictures and words and had them go around the room with a partner and find a word that rhymed. The partners then drew the rhyming word and for those that like the challenge, they tried to write the word! Here's a little peek into the FUN!

Retelling

One of the things that we ask our kindergartners to do early in the year is to retell a story that we have read many times. The ability to retell a story orally tells us about a child's language development. When a child realizes that letters make sounds and that sound make words and when they can retell a story in a way that sounds like they are reading it, even though they can't read any of the words yet, we know that their oral language has developed enough so that they are ready to begin reading words. Below is an example of a child that is retelling the very popular Three Billy Goats Gruff, a story that we have read in class many times and a story that we have acted out in many different ways. Listen to the way that he changes his voice when he talking like the littlest billy or when he is roaring like the mean and ugly troll. Much of the change in this voice sounds exactly like the teacher has read the story in class. This is exactly what we want each of our children to be able to do.

Untitled from dayle timmons on Vimeo.

So far in our class, we have read and practiced,

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Caps for Sale








Where the Wild Things Are










Goldilocks and the Three Bears










Make sure to ask your child all about his favorite story!

Caps for Sale

Our newest "Star Book" is Caps for Sale.  Enjoy watching this video of the book with your child.  After watching the video, ask your child to retell the story!