I haven’t posted for a while, but have finally found a spare hour to write about what we’ve been doing in PrepD. My students are delightful, full of energy, great talkers and sharers. Learning is fun and they’re able to talk about what they know, what they are learning and what they will be learning next. I’ve provided a link below to the Optimal Learning Chart which was included in the Edmonds School District – A Balanced Literacy Program document. The chart is explained below:
Optimal Learning Model (Gradually Releasing Responsibility): Regie Routman coined the term Optimal Learning Model in her book Reading Essentials. It refers to the gradual handover of responsibility from teacher to student as literacy is taught. Beginning with demonstration and shared demonstration, the teacher models reading/writing skills and strategies, leading and explaining to the learner. Next the learner gradually takes responsibility for his learning, practicing these skills strategies with the teacher stepping into a guiding role. The ultimate goal is for the student to independently practice the skills and strategies, to self –monitor and to apply his learning as the teacher observes. Edmonds School District 2004
PrepD Partner Writing:
Prep D Journal Writing:
Using lines for the first time… exciting! My Preps love writing and most have started using a heading/title, content and personal comment at the end of their journal. I’ve been using the PM Writing exemplars for focus minilessons. Using WALT – We are learning to… and WILF – What I’m looking for… to scaffold their writing is working well. These students are young and very new writers and are starting to develop their ideas and ‘have a go’ at writing challenging words.
The last sentence of the above journal says, ‘I felt excited.’ Well, I felt excited when I read that too! What a great attempt at spelling excited.
Just a quick post. Thanks for visiting, sending me emails and commenting. Next Post: Using literature to support teaching mathematics.
Cheers Nina
Nina Davis: Teaching & Learning in Australia 
Hi Nina,
I just found your blog and have already spent several hours reading! Thank you for sharing your practice 🙂 I wonder if you would be willing to share with us a sample weekly plan for your classroom. I am new to teaching (and new to the IB) and am always struggling to “fit it all in!” in my classroom. I would love to see an example of how you weave everything into your week 🙂
Thank you again!
Congratulations on your 100,000th hit. Well done and keep it coming. Tee
Thank you for the congratulations Tee…. 100,000 hits on a little blog in Australia has amazed me.
Nina L-P-X
Hi Nina,
We have been busy as well, but never too busy to check what you have been up to with your wonderful Preps.
Congratulations and what a great example of a highly effective teacher in the classroom… how impressive!
We have used interactive writing once a week this term and the results have been fantastic. It is so wonderful to see our ‘teacher demonstrations’ being repeated by pairs of Prep students who are already beginning to show independence after such a short time at school. Armed with frequent word and letter formation charts and of course coloured textas, the results are worth celebrating!
We have drawn up lines on a blank book when we begin to write on lines. What type of lined books do you use as I see they are already ruled?
Thanks for sharing over and over again,
Regards,
Sue
Hi Sue,
Great to hear from you and so pleased your Preps are growing as writers. I’ll get back to you about the books as they are worth purchasing. Who has time to rule lines? This year I’ve been working on providing a balanced literature program over 5 teaching days, making sure I’ve included all strategies across the week. I’ve presented for region on reading this year and will be presenting on writing soon. I’ll be in touch soon.
Cheers Nina
Hi Sue,
The exercise books are State School Supply – 18mm Ruled. They’ll start dotted thirds later in the year. Hope all is well.
Cheers Nina