Working hard in 2nd Grade!

I'm very fortunate to be able to push into our 2nd grade classrooms where I get to see all the kids and all their hard work. Just the other day I walked into one of the 2nd grade rooms and saw this:

Everyone has a task; they're busy working while Mrs. B checks in with individual students. The collaborative learning and independence in this room is fabulous!

Then when they completed their first task they moved to their second task seamlessly and with no awkward transitioning. 

Then I get to the other 2nd grade to see this:

Can you say AMAZING! Every second grader on task and working hard! 

Uppercase Letter Learning!

We continue to work hard, learning and enjoying the uppercase letters! Playing with letters is very important and very hard work for little minds. I would encourage letter play for all Kindergarten students. This is doubly important for those who struggle recognizing uppercase letters quickly. If your child hesitates longer then three seconds when trying to recall the name of an uppercase letter then they need to continue  playing games and working hard. 

I know when we think about learning letters and sounds we automatically think we should be practicing with worksheets. While this is not totally out of the question, it's  becoming more and more widely known that the more play like we can make our 5-6 year old's learning the more likely they are to retain the information.  Some fun activities to try include:

Or you can download my alphabet soup game. 

click image to download game

We've also started rhyming. This is a very important skill to have to help understand word spelling and hearing chunks in words. 

Letter Knowledge Fun and Games

I know that sometimes working on Letter Names and Sounds can seem so boring for us adults but right now your child is primed and ready to start recognizing all capital letters. Lowercase letters will not be an expectation until after 2nd quarter.  Making it fun can make it easier and more enjoyable. There are a ton of activities to do with your child. First I'm just going to share what your child does in the classroom or with me. Now remember, I work with all kids now. If your child is working with me it is because I'm working closely with the classroom teacher. Your child's classroom teacher will advice you of any concerns.  The classroom teachers have sent home a copy of the Phonics Dance. If you're interested in learning more information you can find the home site here:   

Click to go to site

In my room I'm supporting the classroom teacher by working with students individually to work on letter naming fluency. So basically I'm checking to see how quickly they recognize and say uppercase letters. Practice at home will help support this skill.

Here are some fun ways to do this:

click picture to head to the site

Click to go to the site

click here to go to the site

A Little About Me

I'm starting my 10th year as a reading intervention teacher at Concordia Elementary. I know many of you,  as I've worked with many amazing kiddos over the past 9 years.  Now that we have switched to building-wide Title I Reading I get to work with everyone! I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce myself since it is a possibility I could be working with your child or in your child's classroom.  

On a personal note... My husband and I live in Carrollton with our two daughters. In our spare time we enjoy working on projects around the house and sewing and crafting.  I also enjoy photography and writing. In high school, I was co-editor of our Senior yearbook. This is when I started  pursing both photography and writing. 

Some of my photos that show  my love of animals!

I also love to travel. While I've never been out of the United States, it is definitely on my bucket list! 

Now, on to my education background. I attended Carrollton High School. After high school I attended Stephens College where I worked toward my Creative Writing degree. At this time, I published a short story and some poetry in Harbinger, our  college anthology.  After a year and a half, I was in a serious car accident and I had to come home. After my full recovery, I started and completed my Elementary Education Degree from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO.  I taught preschool for a year in Marshall and received my early childhood certificate. I began teaching in Concordia in 2005. I'd found my calling. I love teaching reading! Only a few years later, I decided to study Reading Recovery and received an advocacy certificate from this wonderful program.  In 2011, I decided once again I wanted to go back to school. I choose to attend grad school at my dad's alum mater,  University of Missouri, Columbia.  I received my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy in 2013.  

Welcome Back to School - Second Grade

Well, we made it through the first week!   The Title I staff  will spend the first couple of weeks in your child's classroom for about half an hour during reading. We are taking this opportunity to get to know all the students.  At this time we may also  help the teacher with some "show me what you know activities" or assessments.  At the beginning of the year your child should have all most all of the  basic reading skills such as: phonological awareness (rhyming, syllables, etc.) phonemic awareness (letters  sounds, understanding individual sounds in words, being able to change words by switching individual sounds; like, you can change cat: hat by changing the first sound) Phonics (understanding letters and sounds and applying it to reading and writing. Reading Comprehension (they can tell  about what they've  read and can tell you about a story you've  read to them), Reading Fluency (it sounds like they are talking when they read and not like a robot)  

At CES, our mission is to offer each child the best possible education that we can. In order to do this we must all work as a team. The Title I reading staff and the classroom teachers meet  frequently to ensure all students are receiving the best reading instruction possible. When the classroom teacher is ready to begin small groups,  Title I reading teachers will support the classroom teacher by working with groups in their regular classroom or they may be taken to the Title I classroom.  We are excited to say, we now work with all students!  If your child happens to be apart of a group that is working with the Title I staff this does not mean that they are struggling or in need of extra assistance. If your child is struggling your child's classroom teacher will let you know. 

Welcome Back to School - First Grade

Well, we made through the first week!   The Title I staff  will spend the first couple of weeks in your child's classroom for about half an hour during reading. We are taking this opportunity to get to know all the students.  At this time we may also  help the teacher with some "show me what you know activities" or assessments. 
At the beginning of the year your child should have basic skills such as: rhyming, counting syllables, recognize the name and sound of all 5 short vowel sounds, know how to read and write simple C-V-C words (eg. cat, dog, pig, but), recognizing Kindergarten sight words, read simple Kindergarten level texts and write simple sentences.  

At CES, our mission is to offer each child the best possible education that we can. In order to do this we must all work as a team. The Title I reading staff and the classroom teachers meet  frequently to ensure all students are receiving the best reading instruction possible. When the classroom teacher is ready to begin small groups,  Title I reading teachers will support the classroom teacher by working with groups in their regular classroom or they may be taken to the Title I classroom.  We are excited to say, we now work with all students!  If your child happens to be apart of a group that is working with the Title I staff this does not mean that they are struggling or in need of extra assistance. If your child is struggling your child's classroom teacher will let you know. 

Welcome Back to School - Kindergarten!

I love this time of year. Everyone comes back eager to learn and refreshed from summer break.   The Title I staff  will spend the first couple of weeks in your child's classroom for about half an hour during reading. We are taking this opportunity to get to know all the students.  At this time we may also  help the teacher with some "show me what you know activities" or assessments.  We like for this adjustment period to be as easy and smooth as it can be for all involved. Assessment at the beginning of the year is as simple as seeing if they can: write their name, how many uppercase letters they recognize, rhyming skills, pencil grip and scissor usage, and their book knowledge. 

At CES, our mission is to offer each child the best possible education that we can. In order to do this we must all work as a team. The Title I reading staff and the classroom teachers meet  frequently to ensure all students are receiving the best reading instruction possible. When the classroom teacher is ready to begin small groups,  Title I reading teachers will support the classroom teacher by working with groups in their regular classroom or they may be taken to the Title I classroom.  We are excited to say, we now work with all students!  If your child happens to be apart of a group that is working with the Title I staff this does not mean that they are struggling or in need of extra assistance. If your child is struggling your child's classroom teacher will let you know. 

2nd Grade

Coming Soon!

1st Grade

Coming Soon!

Kindergarten

Coming Soon!