Avatars and Secret Comments

Posted by kathycassidy

This week we created our first avatars using the iPad app Telegami. We used those avatars to represent us as we showed off our reading fluency. You can hear us (and see our chosen avatars) on our blogs.

We also talked about the comments we have received and about what makes a good comment. Then, we drew names and made a secret comment for a friend in our classroom. On Monday, we will get to read the comments that others made for us. Although a few of the secret friends did leak out, we tried really hard to not let anyone see what we were doing.

Recommending Books

Posted by kathycassidy

This morning the students all chose a book they were reading to recommend to their friends. It was interesting to see that some students chose paper books while others chose digital.

It’s Tuesday. What Are You Reading?

Posted by kathycassidy

Last Tuesday, following the example of some students in Chicago, we posted some of our favourite books on a Padlet to encourage others to read what we were reading. You can see all of our books by clicking on this link. Some of the books are in the image below.

What are YOU reading? We’d love to know.

Letters to Santa

Posted by kathycassidy

Check the student’s blogs to see the letters they sent to Santa today.

Reading to Someone–Near By or Far Away

Posted by kathycassidy

Today while we were doing “Read to Someone” we didn’t just read to kids in our classroom. We also read with students in Ms Lirenman’s class in Surrey, B.C. via Skype. Learning with kids who live 1600 kilometers away!

So Much Learning

Posted by kathycassidy

The students have been learning and posting about a lot things they know already this year. Be sure to check out what they know about the “or” sound. An example is below.

We Did It!

Posted by kathycassidy

Since the beginning of the year, we have been working hard to build our stamina during Read to Self. Our goal was to be able to read independently for at least 25 minutes. We knew that if we could do that for three days in a row, that we had built that stamina. This week, WE DID IT!
This graph shows how many minutes we were able to do each day.

And this is what it looks like in our classroom when we are reading. The students get to choose where they sit.

I am beyond proud of how hard they have all worked to get here.

Whisper Phones

Posted by kathycassidy

Check out the new whisper phones we are now using during reading time. These devices, made from PVC pipe, let us hear what we are reading as we read (which helps with blending and fluency) and helps those students with loud voices to lower their voice as they read.