Tonight in your child’s folder you a few things today. First, you will find you child’s “friday note” to you. This week we began to try to label our pictures. Most children were able to do this with adult help. You will also see leaf rubbings and an illustrated poem about fall. Both things were done this afternoon collaboratively with Kindergartners and their 6th grade buddies.
Both of these things are examples of what I consider authentic work. Children choosing their own writing or learning topics then completing it to the best of their ability. That is the difference between authentic work and a traditional worksheet. Traditional worksheets are great in a pinch, or for a quick assessment but do not allow for choices or children to rise above.
Since I am not a big user of worksheets, some nights your child might bring home an empty folder. That does not mean nothing is going on at school. This week, for example, children began “read to self” time and using reading skills with just right books on their own. We also used the magazines that were sent in to cut out shapes and have posted shape posters in the room. In Fundations, we used the ENO board to practice writing lowercase letters and introduced magnet letters and boards to practice our phonemic awareness skills. We check the weather, read the schedule and count the number of school days everyday. Children draw and write in their weekend news journals on Mondays. Children “read around the room” with their baby echo pointers. In math, we made patterns using several different manipulatives. All of these are examples of authentic work, which I believe is the more powerful tool in keeping children engaged and excited in their own learning potential.
Just a few thoughts on a Friday afternoon. Have a good weekend!
