Resources:
·
Word processing
·
Web blog
·
e-books
·
collaborative databases
·
concept-maps of student’s choosing
·
grouping of the students
I need to know the students’ reading level so I can put them
into groups. I also need to know how
much time they are able to access the computer and internet to complete the
assignment.
I have been able to talk to the teacher about what they
students are learning in the classroom.
I have learned what they had done within their literacy groups. I was able to see the lay out of the
classroom. There are only three
computers, however, there is a computer lab the students visit twice a week and
it able to be reserved by classes.
Hi Jeanine, Sounds like a great start to developing a game plan. I use reading groups in two ways. If I am involved in the group, then I groups on similar ability and proceed in a workshop type fashion. If students are reading collaboratively, then I use mixed ability groups. My students this year were awesome at peer teaching. We built a strong sense of community where peers helped in a constructive way, not destructive. It takes a while to train them. The ebooks are great for lower ability children. Our reading series is all online so students can read the book themselves or have it read to them. I read it once to them out loud so they can hear fluency and voice. One drawback is the computerized voice reads with out feeling but it is there for other purposes.
ReplyDeleteStudent access is an important element that you recognized. I love my 1:1 laptop classroom but teach to many different socio-economic groups that makes it hard to assign tasks for home use.
I'll be following your blog to see what's next!
Hi Jeanine
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that sometimes it is good to group students across reading groups, provided the support is there within the group as Deborah mentions. I use Book Clubs a lot in my Grade Five class, and students group themselves depending on what they want to read out of the selection I gather. At first they would just pick what their friends wanted to read, but now they are picking based on what they want to read. It is great!
My book clubs respond on our class blog to questions they ask or sometimes ones I post.
Regards,
Lisa
Until they get used to doing reading groups in this new way, they are going to be working in their leveled groups. As they gain confidence, I will switch the groups.
DeleteHello Jeanine,
ReplyDeleteI think you have a good start to getting your GAME plan ready for action! The resource list you posted looks great and I liked that you also talked about how you'll need to know student reading levels as well as how much time they will be able to spend in front of computers. When using technology, it is always important to consider not only what tools are available to use, but how long those tools are available to use. So often in my building, teachers are fighting over use of our one computer lab. Since there are no computers in classrooms or any laptop carts, teachers must really plan ahead to account for that factor of how long students will be able to use that technology. Based on what you have already done toward your GAME plan, do you plan to reserve the computer lab for students or do you think having them visit it during their normal twice a week time will be enough? Great post!
-Taylor Judson
I can reserve the computer room as I see fit. If I notice that they need more time, I can schedule time either later that day or the next day.
Delete