We have continued talking and learning about how readers use all of their powers when figuring out an unknown word. This is challenging work and takes time and persistence. As part of this work, we have to strengthen our powers and make connections across our learning.
Fundations
For example, we strengthened our sound power this week through our ongoing work with vowels. We listened for the middle vowel sound in a word, sorting pictures and words based on the middle vowel sounds we heard.
When readers are figuring out an unknown word, they have to try the vowel different ways; with a short vowel sound (like in bug) or long vowel sound (like in cute).
In the pictures you can see examples of children taking initiative and using sound power to add labels to their work! We used our work to generate a list of words to further explore with sound power, segmenting and isolating sounds in small groups.
Many of the Kindergarten readers are working on using meaning, thinking about the information in a teaching book or thinking about what is happening in a story, to help word solve. When figuring out an unknown word, Readers ask, does what I read look right, sound right, AND make sense?
To strengthen our use of meaning, we need many opportunities to think, talk, and write about the books we are reading, building essential comprehension skills.
This week, we developed our comprehension skills by rereading What Do Living Things Need and asking, "What is this book teaching me about? What is the topic of this book?" Then the children recorded three facts they learned from the book.
Living things need...
air, space, food, water, light, protection, and other living things!
Reading Playdates
We can further strengthen our powers by reading with other readers. On Friday afternoon we had another playdate with the 3/4 community. These older readers modeled using all of their powers and strategies together, just like what the Kindergarten readers are working on. They also helped to coach the Kindergarteners, encouraging them to get theirs mouths ready for an initial sound and then check the picture.
We have loved our time with the 3/4 readers!
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