News From Room 103News From Room 103
Sept. 9, 2008
Mr. Curry’s ClassMr. Curry’s Class
Each week, I will introduce two word wall words from the District 186 Word Wall List. These are words that we expect children to learn by sight in order to help them become more fluent readers.
Remember- To help your child learn these words have them: 1. Say the word 2. Spell the word 3. Say the word again 4. Use it in a sentence.
Word Station
Town Hall News The PALS System
Children love to play teacher. When we have Reading Mastery groups, there are times that I let each child “be the teacher”. This means that they get to sit in my chair and point to the letters as the other children say the sounds they make.
We will soon be using that “be the teacher” motivation to add the PALS system to our workstation. The PALS system is a way for students to partner up during workstation times and help each other. When students go to the PALS workstations, they will have
Words so far: a (pronounced /uh/), the, can
New words for this week: my & you
pre-made cards to go through with each other. The cards cover skills that we address during Reading Mastery. Some cards will have letters on them. Each child will take turns pointing to the letters and asking the other what sound they make. Other cards will have whole words on them. For these, each child will help the other stretch the word out, then read it fast. The more advanced students will have cards with short passages on them.
(Continued on Back)
Who had a good week last week? These students did! Kaitlyn Barr Jameritt Brown Joshua Hickman Cami Nicolletta Collin Skinner David Smith Ciera Sneyd Liz Stauter Cotton Thomas Brandon Warmoth These students earned a prize from the treasure chest!
For these cards, I will pair students together by reading strength. Students who are more advanced readers will be paired with students just starting out, or having difficulty. The more advanced student will read the passage first. Then he/she will read it again with the other student echoing their reading. The next step is for the students to read the passage together. Finally, the beginning reader will read the passage by alone.
I’m looking forward to integrating the PALS system into our existing literacy workstations. Like the other workstations, it will take a little bit of training and practice before students are ready to do it on their own.
PALS System (continued from front)
DATES TO REMEMBER
Butler School 1701 S. MacArthur Springfield, IL 62704 Phone: 217-525-3201 Best Times to Contact Mr. Curry 8:00-8:55 am 12:00-12:45 pm Monday-Friday E-Mail: [email protected] Working Together to Achieve Outstanding Results
We’re on the Web!
http://www.springfield.k12.il.us
/teachers/dlcurry/?b=04
Contact Info
Students are already partner reading in class. This should help them when they begin PALS. During partner reading, students are grouped together by their reading level. When partner reading begins, I expect them to do the following:
1. Get the same book.
2. Read the book together.
3. Help each other.
4. Talk about the story
Students should ask themselves, “Who was in the story?”, “Where did the story happen?”, “What happened in the story?”. You can follow these same guidelines when you read with your child at home.
No School- Friday, September 19th Teacher Inservice
Miss Funk, our SSL teacher came by this past Friday to read us a story, and talk to us about feelings. Miss Funk will visit our classroom twice each month to talk to us about feelings, anger management, manners and respect as the year goes on. She always brings her friend, Q- Bear!