I enjoyed tonight's "duo" session of ED643 and ED638. I am relieved I fully understand the Geo-Narrative now even if it took me FOREVER to understand what Dr. Rivera was explaining. I sure was a few yards short of the finish line tonight-- Sometimes I worry about myself!

It's amazing to me that there are only two weeks left in the semester and our diagnostic case reports are due on Monday. Time sure does fly by.

Hopefully the full inner circle will be back next week--Lucille we miss you! I hope you are home soon and feeling better!

Kate

We're Getting There!

After a bout of ear infection, bronchitis (Andrew with the ear and I had the lung thing) and parent teacher conferences..., we're getting there. I had to squeeze in the sessions in between. Andrew seems to slowly "enjoy" reading. We actually finished a book together. As we both read the chapters, we used some strategies to strengthen our comprehension and maybe enjoy reading books.

Throughout the reading sessions, I came to a realization that Andrew could choose books of his interests then maybe then he would enjoy reading. After the story, "Tuck Everlasting", I asked Andrew if he could go to the school library and select a book of his choice. He went home with a book title "Code Talker." Andrew chose this particular book to connect to a topic in his Social Studies class this quarter. I am not sure if his teacher introduced the book title in class or if it was his own choosing. For whatever reason it may be, I am just satisfied that he was able to make a choice and actually enjoy reading it. I would catch him reading before his volleyball practices and on the rides to school and home.

We're getting there...See you all in class!

Last session with Ahrian

Today was my last session with Ahrian and to my surprise we had the whole reading lab to ourselves. Imagine that!

Ahrian is such a trooper. He was out the whole last week because of the flu. I wanted to keep the session short today, but he just kept wanting to read and read despite his cough and runny nose.

I did a couple of running records and retellings with Ahrian. He got to read two books that he chose. They were Sammy the Seal and a Clifford Book. He was so excited!

I have seen so much improvment with him since the first session now that I get to see him at Machananao for reading. His writing has improved as well since we do journal writing in the morning. I am just happy that I get to see him progress.

To my inner circle-don't forget to finish off your sessions with your students. Our diagnostic reports are due in two weeks. Have a great week and hopefully, I will see all of you next Monday.

Good Luck Lucille!

I hope your appointment with the doctor went well Lucille. I remember what that pain was like and I feel so bad for you! Watch what you eat and take it easy. I will see you on Wednesday unless the doctor has different plans for you. In the meantime, I will light some red candles for good health you! I hope everyone else is doing well. I will use tonight's class time to start typing up my case report.

Until next week, take care everyone!

Kate

Getting There!

Andrew and I have meeting outside our home life to meet our reading goals. We completed the story, "Tuck Everlasting." It was a struggle to read the chapter when we could and go over the chapter's events each time. I learned that before we begin to read a chapter, I remind Andrew that when we finish reading the chapter, we will share the details of what was read. As I prepared him, I was hoping that by thinking aloud, it will model and help him create a habit each time he reads. I want him to prepare his mind before he reads and to be able to recall information about what he read.

Andrew will take a test on our school program, Scholastic Reading Counts on the story. It will benefit his reading goals with the reading clinic at UOG, the school's reading goal for each student (to read 25 books in a school year!), and to build his comprehension skills.

We are getting there..not quite but almost...

Orlando Trip

I returned from a trip to Orlando, Florida, accompanying my husband to a Warrior Leadership Conference for the United States Army. My husband was a recipient of the United States Army Reserve Top Recruiter of the Year.





Along with the Awards Ceremony, there were a couple of days of training for the spouses or FRG (Family Readiness Group) members. An interesting workshop that I attended was on DODS ( Dept. of Defense Schools). The group was educated on the transition life and academic life of the military child. It was beneficial for me both as a parent and as an educator in the school system.

Image: Disney World, Orlando, Florida www.iifc-hq.org

Military children are faced with many challenges on top of their move. The workshop highligted on the concern that despite the challenges, the school system goals were to applaud the high test scores and to push for even higher achievement most especially in the area of reading and writing.





The workshop supplied a laundry list of ways to support the child's reading. It gave ways to improve comprehension and expand vocabulary. The training proved to be educational on my part as a parent, an educator, and a graduate student in Language and Literacy.





It was an enjoyable trip!

Post Halloween Booos

Hello Circle!

We are not meeting tonight so I just wanted to say "Hey" and I will miss everyone but not the mold infested literacy lab that has kept me sick all month (Lucille we should meet in your classroom every week)! Actually, what am I saying? Because there is no meeting tonight I now have to go to some reception for visiting Japanese sailors. This means wearing a dress and heels. I will really really miss everyone tonight!

I cannot believe we are just about done with the semester, it went by so fast!

See you all next week,
KT