Playing to Learn...

After refreshing my reading of Debbie Miller, I am reminded of a small moment that occurred in my classroom before the holiday break...but let me set the stage first. :)

Every day the students within my classroom are given multiple choices as to how they will respond to learning, practice new learnings, and record new learning. We use play dough, scrabble letters, sticky notes, index cards, clip boards, wiki sticks, white boards, data notebooks, chart paper, beans, blocks, etc. While this may seem too much for 1st graders, I strongly believe that the choice allows true stretching of the imagination and a deeper understanding of new concepts. With this in mind, reading expert Debbie Miller says "If I want to challenge children's imagination, promote their love of learning and inquiry, and encourage them to become independent learners and thinkers, they need to be the ones deciding where they will go and what they will do." (Reading with Meaning, p.104)

Allowing students to choose their means of learning out of items that may seem like items to "play" with, sets the tone for learning and helps students realize that acquiring knowledge is exciting and enjoyable. "Once children begin to integrate their leaning into their play, the materials are no longer an end unto themselves; they've become another means for creating understanding and constructing meaning. They've become a means for living the learning." (Reading with Meaning, p104)

Now, how does this correspond with the small moment in the classroom? Well, before the holiday break my students and I were lining up for our usual afternoon recess. Before we left , two students asked if they could take their data notebooks and a mini atlas outside with them. I was curious and asked why. This was their response..."Mrs. Hunter, there is so much to discover on the playground, and we want to use our atlas to help. Then we can record it in our data notebooks.!" WOW.....Go for it! :)

We proceeded to the playground and lo and behold two little boys with their atlas and data notebooks were scurrying around the playground searching for items that matched the atlas. The came back to share their learning with me and said, "Mrs. Hunter, that playground equipment looks like Solomon's Temple." "It sure does!" and...."Mrs. Hunter, that tree looks just like the front of this castle!"

I was in awe as they jotted down notes in their notebooks...

Giving students time to play and choices within learning truly impacts life long learning.

Give it a try...You will be amazed! :)

Happy Learning!

Small Sayings with Huge Meanings...

After being with my students for seven weeks now, I am realizing a change in their behavior, demeanour, and attitude towards being in school. Some may say that it's because they are used to the routine, that they are used to their teacher, and that they are getting consistency....while these aspects are true, I believe this change that I have seen is because of something bigger...something more meaningful...

Below I have written a few simple quotes from my students that reveal so much...that reveal the true meaning as to why I have seen change in each and every one of them. Enjoy!


"I love the word zip...that's a cool word."
Wow....a student appreciating the simplicity and yet complexity of a three letter word. To me, seeing and hearing a child say this, tells me that my students are understanding the importance and power of words. Success is ahead because they understand and are absorbing texts around them.

"I'm a writing machine!"
Hearing this made me chuckle a bit because I always use that phrase to compliment diligent writers. In this case though, it came right from the lips of a student who had been struggling to produce written letters and words...to hear positivity and self praise was a clear indicator that this child now believes and sees that they are capable of writing, and writing well.

"Can we do more math?"
Umm..yes! :) As one who did not enjoy math thoroughly as a child, these words struck me as odd...for it was never a question that I would have asked. After pausing for a minute though, I see that this yearn for more was based on earlier success...this child was successful and was having fun. Who wouldn't want to do more if this were the case? Now I see that helping my students feel successful and engaging them in "fun" is what will keep them pressing on and yearning for more.

"Thanks Mrs. Hunter for letting us do this awesome painting!"
Who would have thought a little paint and paper could have developed such grate fullness? Through this comment, not only did I see a student that was polite and had a grateful heart, but I saw how kinesthetic experiences such as painting are of critical importance for students at all ages. Through this painting activity, I saw students taking their time, caring about their work, and more importantly seeing that learning can be done in more than one way...

"This is easy breezy..."
I suppose every teacher would want to hear this phrase..right? After teaching a what I thought to be a "complex" math lesson, I was surprised to see that my students had a different opinion. Instead of following the teaching curriculum exactly, I taught the concept in a bit of a different way...and what do you know? They felt success. This experience reminded me that my student's needs and how they learn should always be the driving factor in how I teach...not the book!

"Here, let me help you..."
I LOVE when I hear this, and I hear it often. My students have developed into leaders who help one another and who are always asking me if I need help! Amazing. This reveals that teaching leadership and character counts really makes an impact. I also believe that modeling this phrase has encouraged my students to try it themselves...modeling matters.

"Mrs. Hunter, let's check off!"
Every day after lunch, my students and I rest for a few minutes and "check off" on our daily schedule. A few days ago, a student beat me to it and reminded me that we needed to check off to see where we were in the day and what else we needed to accomplish! This shows me that my students are concerned with what needs to be done and are practicing Putting First Things First.
They are now understanding the idea that to be successful in life, we must work first...and then play! :) For if we do this, our play will be that much sweeter because we have worked incredibly hard. My students understand this, and it is wonderful.

"I love you..."
Relationships matter. The end. :)

What are your children saying? Pay attention to what you hear...words are powerful tools into the minds of all...and can be a clear indicator of their state of mind...

Happy Listening!

The Extreme Power of Music...

Inspirational. Catchy. Moving. Fun. Beautiful. Educational. The list could go on and on....for words that describe the incredible power of music. As a one who has always been moved and inspired by music, I have found that when all else fails, listening or singing a good tune could be the factor that changes your situation or mind set.

This past week while meeting and getting to know my new students, we learned many new songs that help us transition throughout the day. While it may seem trivial, every single time I start singing, their moods and demeanor's change. Their eyes light up and suddenly they are willing to follow instructions if it means they can sing and have fun while doing so...

After reflecting on this fact I realized that even as an adult I fall for this and am entranced and moved to action upon hearing a new song...I want to listen and sing over and over again...I feel encouraged, empowered and excited for what is to come. I feel the need to share with everyone around me of the new music I am listening to and what its meaning in my life.

So what's the point? Where are you going with this you may ask.

The point is...never forget and fail to use music to inspire change in those around you. Music tugs at the heart strings of people from every culture and has the power to move mountains in people's lives. I will continue to use music in every aspect of my life...I challenge you to do the same!

My recent songs of inspiration:

1. Man in the Mirror-Michael Jackson
2. Here Goes-Bebo Norman
3. Something Beautiful-Need to Breathe
4. Keep Changing the World-Mikeschair

Inspire change.....

Distracted Much?

If you have ever been in a situation where you were supposed to be listening to a book, speaker, seromn or any type of communication, you are probably like me and have "gotten distracted." This produces lack of understanding and comprehension as to what is going on...Right? This then effects how you respond and react...Right?

If you are a teacher and have ever been in a situation where you were in the middle of a dynamic (or so you thought) read-a-loud and have stopped to ask a meaningful question only to be responded by blank stares and one "I'm not sure," then you are NOT ALONE!

We all as humans have those tendencies, no matter what our age. We let our thoughts drift and lose our focus...but after realizing and accepting this fact, I wondered if I was ever taught how to focus and how to think so I could respond...I can honestly say that I was never taught that life learning skill in school. Isn't that the place where I should have learned it?

As a first year teacher going on my second year, I have battled this in thinking that I'm not doing something right....that I'm doing something wrong...and guess what? I AM! Yes there are times when students are not as engaged as they could be due to numerous factors, but I have just discovered that there is a better way to produce meaningful discussion and conversation during read-alouds and new learnings and this is a skill I WILL teach my students.

My reading hero Lucy Calkins suggested teaching students how to think and respond during read alouds. This includes stopping often to think and talk during reading so we know what it going on. It also includes sometimes repeating what is said, just to let it sink in....wow! How powerful! Another tool is to teach students starter phrases, and this is what I wish I would have learned sooner. Some of these starters are listed below:

-I noticed...
-One thing I pictured was...
-It reminded me of...
-I like the part in which...(or I didn't like)
-I wonder why...
-What would have happened if...
-I was surprised to see...
-I didn't understand...
-It wasn't fair when...
-My idea changed when...


Other strategies include sketching what one is thinking during reading! As an artist, I would have LOVED this tool as a child! I wonder how much more I could have grown? Hmm...
Jotting down notes is helpful as well as recalling the previous day's reading!

All of the above seem so basic, but are we using them in our classroom even with younger students? What I do know is that my students will be learners who know how to respond to texts in purposeful ways! No more blank stares or confusion :)

Happy Learning!

Guided Reading...Oh How I've Misunderstood You!

Growing up in a home where education is highly valued, I have always had mixed feelings and understandings of what guided reading is and what is should look like. As I embraced my own passion for teaching during my college years, I was given several opportunities to see guided reading groups in action. I saw choral reading, students reading one at a time out loud, teachers asking large amounts of questions, students being given books greatly above their reading level, and on the flip side students given books below their reading level. I saw teachers focusing on the "5 Big Ideas" and forming groups based on those, and then stopping there. I always wondered if the students would ever be taken further and deeper....if they would ever be fully engaged and then practicing what was being learned....

Today, my confusion and questions about guided reading have been unraveled. After reading Lucy Calkins work The Art of Teaching Reading, figuratively my mind has been blown! What I now understand is that guided reading is not.....the teacher beginning the session with a list of several questions. It is not "a time for children to reread texts they have already read as a whole class" (Calkins, 178). It is not an opportunity for round robin reading or choral reading. How is that beneficial? It is not stop and go reading. It does not occur with long-term ability based groups. It is not more than 15 minutes in length of time. Finally, it should not be followed by meaningless activities such as ditto worksheets.

Taking all of this into consideration, I have found that guided reading is so much more. It is initiated by the teacher and the text is given a short overview and takes students to specific pages that contain a point of difficulty. It is a time for students to read an unfamiliar text and also a time for textual challenges with support from the teacher. It is a time for all students to be holding a copy of the text and to be reading quietly and simultaneously to themselves. It is a time for reading the whole text without stopping and returning to a favorite page while the other members of the group finish. It is "done with short-term, transient, ability-based groups" (Calkins, 179). It is completed within a 10-15 minute time period. Lastly, it is followed by a point of teaching, possibly the use of a white board, but it ends there.

Wow...what a difference.

What I found even more intriguing was that guided reading groups can go deeper and can be developed into Strategy Lessons. In these types of situations, the students may be mixed ability, but may all struggle with the same strategy or may need a new strategy to improve their reading. It could be anything as simple as looking at the beginning letters of words to decipher the unknown word to bringing in a newspaper article on a book club book and meeting with those students to share. These groups are not limited to the 5 Big Reading Ideas. There is so much room for growth and depth and an incredible opportunity to teach students where they are and take them where they need to be.

This will become a tremendous part of my first grade classroom and I look forward to studying and sharing the outcome. :)

Let the depth and risk-taking begin!

The Power of Preparation

Growing up, I was always taught that with preparation and making the choice to think ahead, success would follow. Now that I am in the work force and am the sole individual responsible for my success, this learning has never been more true.For the past two months I have been thinking, day dreaming, researching, reading, planning, taking notes and praying about my future classroom. It has been consuming thought life.


What I have found through all of this is that there are so many phenomenal resources available to teachers...books...individuals...websites...podcasts. I have everything I need right at my fingertips, yet I still sometimes feel that is not enough. What I have realized though is that it truly is not enough. Without love for children I have nothing. Without a love for learning I have nothing. Without discipline I have nothing. Without a desire to ask questions I have nothing. Without vision, I have nothing. All of these are the true ingredients to what I need to succeed as a teacher.

So, what happens next? Of that I am not sure...
What I do know though is that my children will be loved everyday.
They will be challenged to be better and to rise above circumstance.
They will most importantly though be led by example...an example of a teacher who is prepared for whatever may come!