Today Mila did her first writing with me - I was able to see her strengths in using known sight words and stretching out words to phonetically spell! She did a great job on writing a story about Santa Claus!
We also read some of our favorite books and brainstormed a list of stories (Narrative) she could tell and topics she is an expert on (How-To).
Today was my second session with Mila - it was dedicated to assessing her math skills!
We assessed the following skills (using loose parts/manipulatives):
number names/count sequence...
count to tell number of objects...
comparing numbers...
understand addition as putting together...
understand subtraction as taking apart or taking from...
classify objects and count number of objects in each category...
We also touched briefly on measurement and geometry (shapes)! Mila appeared on grade level for most of the assessments given. She is eager to try out each task and can easily explain the thinking behind any of her actions. I'm excited to see her next week and learn more about her passions and begin writing together as well!
Assignment
none
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Great session - she shows no deficiencies in math or reading! Looking forward to enrichment based on her passions :)
Today, I worked with Mila on several early literacy assessments including: letter ID, letter sounds, blending and segmenting, first 25 sight words, and oral language. We also read some emergent reader storybooks that Mila loves!
Most assessments were positive and on grade level for kindergarten. Next week I will begin early kindergarten math assessments! I'm using these first few sessions to get data in order to pinpoint where our time will be best spent!
Today Mila and I spent some time asking each other questions, and sharing about ourselves. We read LOTS of great books and did some counting. At the end, when we had extra time, we made some music together on the piano :) I'm looking forward to assessing her strengths in academics next week!
Assignment
none
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Today was a good lesson, once Mila got a feel for my personality. I do notice that she is completely lacking confidence in reading (mostly because she has been TOLD that she can't read books unless they have a "white label" etc.) This thinking actually even holds her back from enjoying books that are read TO her. This is a mindset I am hoping to cure her of!!!! I will be doing early reading assessments on her next session, to collect my own data.
Per Mila's grandfather, I reviewed Mila's math assessment notes from her school. She is having difficulty counting on from a given number other than 1, for example counting on from 4. We began by taking turns counting on from one. Mila was successful when we began with one and counted up to 27. When I began with 5, Mila said "4." I said "We are counting up from 5, what number is next?" She said "10." We drew a number line on the table, reviewed and practiced again with success. We took turns reading the book, Yes, You Can, from her book bag. She had great expression, speed and fluency. I had her reread to self-correct when needed. As a follow-up activity to the book, we made a hot-air balloon with a caption. Mila placed letter magnets on a magnetic board, in order and sang her alphabet song. We orally reviewed counting on, at the end of the session. We had an excellent first session!
Reviewing vowel sounds using Lively Letter images...
Using beginner reader strategies to read "At School"...
Writing newly learned words in writing journal...
Identifying initial and ending sounds in CVC words...
Reading "Bears" book while using a tambourine to sing words after sounding them out...
Decoding words in beginning readers books by:
Sounding it out...
Using the first letter of the unknown word...
What word would make sense? and
Using the pictures to determine the unknown word...
We wrote these words in Mila's writing book: mom, dad, girl, boy, and baby.
We used a game board and flower sticker incentives.
Identify the letters of the alphabet and their sounds...
Identify initial consonant sounds...
Distinguish between vowel sounds...
Segment the letter sounds in 3 letter words...
Use reading strategies to determine unknown words...
Practiced beginner reader strategies:
Running finger under every word as you read it...
Use the photos and first letters to figure out the unknown word...
Trying a word that would make sense...
Wrote the sight words that appeared in "My Pet"...
Reviewed vowel sounds...
Using a game board to have Mila and I read alternating pages of Jessy, and Otis Has a Tummy Ache. She practiced strategies of good readers: pointing under each word as she said them; using the first letter of the unknown word; looking at the illustrations to determine what word would make sense.
We wrote 2 sight words from the books: big & little and incorporated them into a Mother's Day card.
