As I sat back at my table and listened to the discussion in the room, this is what I heard:
- Discussion/Arguing over whether words were read correctly. This is actually a good thing. To me, this means that the students are analyzing the words and using the patterns to read them correctly.
- Encouraging/Helpful words. This is obviously a good thing. On several occasions I heard partners helping each other read the words and more often, determine the correct category for the word. Providing the chance for students to be the teachers is beneficial to them applying and retaining this information. One thing I note is that I need to teach them to be more patient with each other.
- Lots of reminders for long a spelling patterns and tricks to determine which one, "Is it at the end or in the middle?"
- Nate is doing better at reading the words today after having a hard time making ay words during the making words activity yesterday. Maybe because he has read these words four times now and he doesn't have to physically move the letters to make the words. They are already written for him.
- Everyone following procedure. This is the third time we have done the partner/blind sort activity and everyone is following procedure very well and staying on task. I did have to redirect Madison just once to stay focused. She was supposed to be reading, but was looking around the room.
- Students pointing to the category the words are to go in. Most of the time getting it right. Sometimes needed to be corrected by partner.
- Students were fully engaged with partner and most did not pay attention to the environment around them.
I am so glad Nate is doing better with his word sorts. I could hear your concern for him in the other thick description and I thought pairing him up with a slightly higher student was a great idea. Did you give him a different type of word sort this time or was he able to complete the same one with the class? I liked that you added in your conclusions and inferences about what you noticed when your students were working with their partners. I agree that repetition is very important and will help increase their fluency. You could also have some word sorts in independent stations as well. That would give them another opportunity to practice, as well. I really enjoyed reading both of your thick descriptions and how they connected with one another!
ReplyDeleteI think you reflected really well in both of your descriptions and made the neccesary changes to make the next making words more engaging for your students, especially Nate. I love partner work, especially when they are given the opportunity to learn from each other and teach each other, like you mentioned.
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