HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

As we neared the end of Coyote Autumn, our latest chapter book read aloud in the classroom, some alumni of our class volunteered to help me finish the reading. Zachary Arrindell and Roman Elston, upper primary students, remembered how difficult it was for me to read the final pages of this book.

Two years ago, as they were listening to the ending of this book about a boy who befriends an orphaned coyote and tries to make him a pet, they watched as I had to pull in some older boys to read as I got choked up by the goodbyes in the story. Now Zachary and Roman wanted to be the ones who step in to assist. And so they were.

I knew yesterday as the story wrapped up and the lump in my throat began to swell, that help would be needed soon. So I warned my rescuers to be ready today. As my students were writing their homework note, I corralled my helpers and brought them back to the room.

I started reading and then as the words began to get to me, I did my usual, passing off the book to first one reader and then the other.

Roman, always the gentleman, even got kleenex as the flood began!

Letting kids see, once in awhile, how you can be moved by books is a good thing! But I am now up for something a little lighter!

Thanks, though, to my helpers. They are good readers, and I know where they learned!! Right here in Class 114! We share lots of memories and we added another one today!!
Mary Ann

Show Your Children How...Retelling

As you are reading a chapter book with your children, sometimes try reviewing the important details of the story either before you begin a new session of reading or when you have just finished reading. Although this is not the way people usually talk about books, it will help the kids get used to thinking in these terms before our reading tests in January.

After you have modeled calling to mind the story events in a linear way a few times, try having the kids help you recall the happenings in order. Later, you can ask your children to retell what was just read in their own words.

In these ways, you will be doing at home what we teachers try to do continually. We use the optimal learning model. This model of teaching and learning gives the learner demonstrations of exactly what is to be learned. As the child begins to take on the task herself, the teacher and learner work together to create a successful example of the task to be learned. Finally, the teacher observes the learner practicing the desired task and gives helpful (not hurtful) feedback as the child becomes more and more experienced and independent.

Thanks for any help you can give us in learning how to retell a story.

Mary Ann