Most of you are probably days/weeks away from the school year finishing-SO EXCITED for you! Not because teaching isn't great, but come on-the renewal from the summer is so necessary.
Schools over here go into July, but lucky for me I had a pre-arranged vacation to the States (Illinois to see family and Florida to a beach condo!) from late May to mid June before the school asked me to finish out the school year. Fortunately one of the weeks falls over a half term holiday here (1 week)...but still it's strange to get my cover plans together. CAN'T WAIT!
So, in the thick of the BIG Year 6 play production rehearsals, honing in on my Year 5's English levels before they take their secondary exams in the fall, and trying to get back to the gym-it's a BUSY time once again!
I'm really excited to get through it all and enjoy next year a lot more (due to the organization and work I've put in this year). New jobs are exhausting, but rewarding right?
Among other things, currently I'm trying to make some gains in spelling for my struggling spellers. I've been reading this book,
and picked up a few valuable tips.
*Ask children why spelling is important. Many will say 'to pass a spelling test' or 'get a good grade' (yikes! Discussion quick!).
*When children have an audience for their writing, they have a reason for learning about spelling and for doing the best they can.
*It's helpful to look for patterns that emerge in the type of errors students make so you know what to focus your teaching on for individual needs.
*Spelling tests: competent spellers use many strategies to try unfamiliar words and to learn words. The emphasis needs to be on children's learning these strategies rather than getting a list of words to be learned by rote.
Anyway, these are just a few wonderful reminders from the first 2 chapters. I'm excited about the possible changes I can propose to the staff next year as English Coordinator.
Although spelling is a small component of English/Literacy, when there are big gaps or poor instruction...it can become a BIG component that affects other areas-don't you think?
Can't wait to tell you about a resource I hope to use with second grade and up next year to support spelling and improve vocabulary!! (Hint: Personal Dictionaries with a twist!)
I will leave you will this because I just LOVED it!!! Click on the picture!
Have a good one!
