Primary 1-3 now has a postal service! A post box has been hung in class, along with paper for pupils to write letters to me or to their friends. Pupils are enthusiastic about writing letters and posting them in our post box, and many letters have already been sent.
When a pupil posts a letter, I will collect them at the end of the day. As I open the letters to determine the recipient, I will usually read them. This is not to invade the pupil's privacy, they are aware that I will read the letters they write. Taking the chance to read the letters not only lets me gauge the pupil's writing ability, but also gives me the chance to remove any letters that I feel might be hurtful to the recipient and if need be, act on it. I will then deliver the letters to the pupils the next day.
The rationale behind the post box is to encourage pupils to practice writing. As they write to their friends, pupils not only gain competency forming letters and sentences, but they also build relationships - even if the letters are as simple as "I love you". When pupils write letters to me, I will reply, giving them little notes of encouragement. By reading my replies, I am able to model good writing practices for the pupils on a very personal level. Hopefully, this informal writing will show our children that writing isn't always graded, nor does it need to be stressful.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Spelling Unit 7
Spelling Test: 29 February
blue
silver
colour
green
yellow
orange
bulldozer
fire-engine
vintage car
motorbike
blue
silver
colour
green
yellow
orange
bulldozer
fire-engine
vintage car
motorbike
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Getting Your Child to Read
Does your child fight you tooth and nail when it comes to reading? Does he complain and would rather watch television instead? Parents with reluctant readers tend to get increasingly frustrated at their child and themselves, wondering why their child is so reluctant to pick up a book and read. Don't worry if your child seems to resist when it comes to books, it is a hurdle that can be overcome. Children will repeat actions that give them pleasure, so we need to find a way to show them that reading is enjoyable.
There are many ways to build up your child's love of reading, but before that we need to identify the reason why he or she is reluctant to read. There may be hurdles for your child when it comes to books. A few of the most common I have encountered are:
My child has difficulty reading words...
If your child has difficulty identifying the words, reading aloud to your child as you drag your finger along the sentence, following the words that you read, will build your child's ability to connect sounds and words on the page. The pleasure of spending time with you and listening to you read instead of struggling alone will help build your child's enthusiasm for reading.
Eventually, asking your child to read aloud to you interesting tidbits in the newspaper, a joke from a joke book, a comic strip or any short text will build your child's confidence and realize that reading doesn't mean you have to get every word right, and that it is okay to make mistakes. After your child has read the passage, praise him or her and model a few of the words that your child might have mis-pronounced. Your child should mimic you in saying the word. As your child's confidence grows, longer texts can be introduced to be read to you.
My child does not have many books at home...
It would certainly encourage your child to read if books and other printed materials are readily available. Regular trips to the library, creating a small 'reading corner' for your child at home and colourful magazines readily available in conspicuous places will encourage your child to read.
Select books that relate to your child's interest (see below). Try to avoid rejecting books that your child selects, even if it is too difficult. Reading difficult books of interest to your child is one of the fastest ways to build your child's proficiency in reading and love of books. Even if your child can only look at pictures on his or her own, your child's intrinsic interest will eventually encourage him or her to read those difficult words.
My child has no interest in reading...
This is one of the more common reasons why children do not read. It is not a lack of an interest in reading, but a lack of interest in the subject of the book. Different children like different things, and reading is a two-way esperience. Children will ultimately apply their prior knowledge to the book's content, which in turn colours their esperience of the book. If they have some knowledge of the subject of the book, they will be able to understand the book better, which helps them to enjoy it more. There are several ways to stimulate a children to read.
Reading books based on movies or television shows, scouting for books based on their hobbies or their interests, visiting interesting new places like the zoo or the bird park are some of the ways that children select books on topics that they are interested in.
Talking about reading and your experience reading is also important. In informal situations, talk to your child about a book that you may have read. Bring your child into the conversation to share with you his or her favourite books. This may provide clues to your child's interests for book selection and also show your child that reading is a bonding esperience between you and him or her.
Children who see their parents reading for pleasure also begin to mimic their parent's actions.
There are many resources on the web that provide more tips and tricks that could further help your child to read. One website is Reading Is Fundemental, among others. All in all, though it may seem difficult, don't be discouraged and don't give up on getting your child to read.
There are many ways to build up your child's love of reading, but before that we need to identify the reason why he or she is reluctant to read. There may be hurdles for your child when it comes to books. A few of the most common I have encountered are:
My child has difficulty reading words...
If your child has difficulty identifying the words, reading aloud to your child as you drag your finger along the sentence, following the words that you read, will build your child's ability to connect sounds and words on the page. The pleasure of spending time with you and listening to you read instead of struggling alone will help build your child's enthusiasm for reading.
Eventually, asking your child to read aloud to you interesting tidbits in the newspaper, a joke from a joke book, a comic strip or any short text will build your child's confidence and realize that reading doesn't mean you have to get every word right, and that it is okay to make mistakes. After your child has read the passage, praise him or her and model a few of the words that your child might have mis-pronounced. Your child should mimic you in saying the word. As your child's confidence grows, longer texts can be introduced to be read to you.
My child does not have many books at home...
It would certainly encourage your child to read if books and other printed materials are readily available. Regular trips to the library, creating a small 'reading corner' for your child at home and colourful magazines readily available in conspicuous places will encourage your child to read.
Select books that relate to your child's interest (see below). Try to avoid rejecting books that your child selects, even if it is too difficult. Reading difficult books of interest to your child is one of the fastest ways to build your child's proficiency in reading and love of books. Even if your child can only look at pictures on his or her own, your child's intrinsic interest will eventually encourage him or her to read those difficult words.
My child has no interest in reading...
This is one of the more common reasons why children do not read. It is not a lack of an interest in reading, but a lack of interest in the subject of the book. Different children like different things, and reading is a two-way esperience. Children will ultimately apply their prior knowledge to the book's content, which in turn colours their esperience of the book. If they have some knowledge of the subject of the book, they will be able to understand the book better, which helps them to enjoy it more. There are several ways to stimulate a children to read.
Reading books based on movies or television shows, scouting for books based on their hobbies or their interests, visiting interesting new places like the zoo or the bird park are some of the ways that children select books on topics that they are interested in.
Talking about reading and your experience reading is also important. In informal situations, talk to your child about a book that you may have read. Bring your child into the conversation to share with you his or her favourite books. This may provide clues to your child's interests for book selection and also show your child that reading is a bonding esperience between you and him or her.
Children who see their parents reading for pleasure also begin to mimic their parent's actions.
There are many resources on the web that provide more tips and tricks that could further help your child to read. One website is Reading Is Fundemental, among others. All in all, though it may seem difficult, don't be discouraged and don't give up on getting your child to read.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Spelling Unit 5
Apologies for the late post, throat infections and the subsequent flurry of activity upon return to work has made this entry totally slip my mind.
Spelling Test: 15th February
tea
lion
mane
tiger
snake
fierce
jungle
monkey
elephant
crocodile
Spelling Test: 15th February
tea
lion
mane
tiger
snake
fierce
jungle
monkey
elephant
crocodile
Monday, February 4, 2008
CNY Spelling Postponed
Spelling with be postponed to next week, 11th February, in view of Chinese New Year. There will still be the spelling of unit 5's words on Friday, 15th February. Happy New Year to all!
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