ERM journal question 4

4. What types of instructional materials are being used by the teacher and/or the students.

            In this class there are many instructional materials being used. The curriculum used are as follows: for reading they use Rigby Read, for reading workshop they use Lucy Calkins Reading Workshop, for writing they use Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop, for math they use Everyday Math, for phonics they use Words their way, and science and social studies is integrated in. Other materials are also used. Each child has a book bag which is used for their daily reading during reading workshop, book carts are used and contain books specific to each child’s letter level, gutters are text sets which focus on a specific topic such as manners, sharing, friendship, etc. The word wall is also available as a resource for the children to help them know how to spell words. The children read and re-read the books in their book bags everyday and get to switch them out every Tuesday with books from the library.

            I would say the main materials being used in this classroom are primarily books. The students read them everyday and the teacher uses them to read to the children and have meaningful discussion about what they have read. This classroom reads a lot and most of them really seem to enjoy it. They are always so excited to get to go to the library and get new books. They always want to read with me. I have observed while reading with them that they pause frequently while reading and talk about what they have read or what they find interesting. I see them comprehending what they are reading not just reading words that do not make sense.

            This is such a different reading atmosphere than I remember when I was in 2^nd grade. I remember having reading groups where we would all a have the same book, we would get with our group and go around the circle each taking turns reading. I do not remember free choice reading, and for that reason I never really enjoyed reading. I think choice plays a huge part of getting the children interested and excited about reading.