Blog 3

Word sorts have completely changed my lesson plans. I honestly didn't think I woud be using them with my students since they are so young. But now I do one everyweek.

Obviously we start small with pre-k kids. We have only done four letters so far but the kids love. We started with the letters "B" and "M" and we do not even use the written word. I show the students the different pictures that go with the letters we are doing. We do the same letters for two weeks so that the students become very familiar with the letters and their sounds. After doing four letters in two separate word sorts, I do all four letters together with the students as a kind of review.

The kids love it and are getting really good at. And it definitely improves my lessons and ability as a teacher.

EDRD 6950 Blog 2

Giving the spelling inventory was an interesting experience. It was the first time I had given it, and I definitely learned some things and learned what I would do differently next time.

For one thing, I would definitely do this as a small group assessment, and not as a whole group. Probably over a weeks time, just rotate through the students until everyone has taken the inventory. With a smaller group, it is easier to make sure everyone is keeping up with the inventory and it keeps the distractions to a minimum.

Also I would definitely take the students out of the room if it was possible, and take them somewhere quiet without a lot of activity going on. I took my five "borrowed" students into the hallway and it turned out to be really busy that day since it was Grandparents' week.

Grading the inventory was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I was really worried about it at first.