KC

Over last semester we have been focusing on writing fictional narratives. Using the First Steps Gradual Release of Responsibility, over time the children have become familiar with and analyzed a wide range of narrative fictions. They have co-authored fictional narratives and with guidance, have written their own narratives. We have spent much time discussing where [...]

The children love to take turns at reading stories to the rest of the class. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop a sense of audience and to practice skills such as pause, voice pace and inflection. Recently, Olivia read a book that she had particularly enjoyed. We videoed the story session and showed the [...]

Stories can be a powerful way of helping children to understand the world around them. I asked our librarian, Mrs Kar, if she could recommend some picture books that I could use to help the children explore the concept of learning journeys. She found several books, and I chose “Clem Always Could” by Sarah Watt. [...]

Our Author for October is Joy Cowley. Cowley writes fun books with repetitive texts and clear illustrations, which make them ideal for early readers. Over the years she has be given several honours and awards for her stories. The children have been reading about Mrs Wishy Washy, Meanies, Hungry Giants, Hairy Bears and Jigarees. Through [...]

The children have been comparing different writing systems in Japanese and English. We have been talking about the difference between alphabets like the English (Roman) alphabet, katakana and hiragana, and symbol/concept based writing systems such as kanji. We went on a hunt around YIS to search for Japanese writing. The children discovered many different kinds [...]

Over the next couple of weeks we shall be looking at books written by Nick Sharratt. Nick Sharratt is a British author. He has co-written books for older children and has written many books for younger children. Many of his books have a repetitive, predictable text making them ideal for beginning readers. His books often [...]

KC children have been experimenting with rhyme. This morning, they noticed the words my and by in our daily message. They came up with a list of words that rhyme with my and by. When we looked carefully at the words on the list, the children discovered there were many ways to represent the “y” [...]

As the children work on updating their portfolios, they have been reflecting on how they have changed over the three months they have been in Kindergarten.  The children looked at photographs that recorded them writing with a variety of materials and for a variety of purposes and audiences. KC writing monsters on PhotoPeach The children [...]