Entry # 10

Rationale:
                I believe that in order for homework to truly benefit our students it must have clearly stated objectives, be meaningful in its content, provide meaningful feedback for teachers/students, as well as encourage students to enhance their use of technology in the academic realm, too. Homework must be not too lengthy and time consuming. Students should be able to work independently on HW without getting frustrated. Homework must also be diversified to meet the needs of each student. It is important to repeat and review classroom learning to ensure student understanding and academic success. After all, student achievement is our ultimate goal.

Meaningful HW:

• provide students with multiple opportunities to practice, review, and apply knowledge that hey have already learned. EX: practicing math problems that have already been introduced in class.
• Time spent on HW should be appropriate with the age or grade of the students. I don't give more that 10 min of HW for my kindergartners.
• Parents should be told that projects and HW should be done by the student only- and that the parent is just a guide to see that the student actually applies himself.

Objectives:

• to give opportunities to practice, review, and apply the knowledge that they have learned in the classroom 
• To encourage good study habits.
• To include parents in the learning process or their child's education.

Feedback:

• I collect HW on Fridays and correct them all over the weekend. If a student forgets to turn in his/her HW, I just write a note in his/her folder.
• While correcting HW, I write meaningful comments. If it's a sentence where the students forgot some of the ending sounds, I would write- "great sentence! Please pay attention to the ending sounds. Most of my HW is usually sight words and reading.

Technology role:

• I send my HW calendar electronically through email.
• I assign some 'Starfall" games to play
• Older elementary students can use word to type their assignments and use PPT for some projects.
• Word builders and  sentence builders are good options for HW.

Entry # 9

 differences:-
Non-fiction

• Table of contents
• actual facts
• real photographs
• glossary
• word meaning

Fiction

• some have chapters
• illustrations
• tells a story
• emotions-funny, fantasy
• different generas
• dedication page
•  
•  Easier for ELLs?
•  I think nonfiction texts with pictures are easier for ELL students because the pictures speak for itself. The students are able to build on prior knowledge and add new information. Teachers can front load students with new vocabulary that may come during a nonfiction reading. Teachers can also get the same concept in students native language and let them read it BEFORE the classroom text reading.
• However, I also feel that fiction texts with predictable phonics sentences are easy for ELL. I have many of these in my class and all the kids benefit from the predictable sentences
•  
• Challenging for ELLs?
• reading without pictures or illustrations.
• without having any prior knowledge on the reading
• Too many new vocabulary
•  

Entry #8

Promote Comprehension-

• vocabulary
• picture connections
• adjectives
• speaking in their language
• translates
• questions
• actions and gestures
• connections with the text
• listening comprehension

Teacher do?

• fast paced lesson
• Keep the students engaged
• Helps ELL discover their voice
• Structure and Flexibility
• High expectations
• Creates a community
• connections to self and text
• teachable moments with origami spinners- something interesting

Students do?

• engaged
• working
• responding
• part of a group
•  responsible
• ownership
• follow rules
• proud of their achievements

Essential Components-

• community
• connections
• structure
• vocabulary
• finding a teachable moment
• catering to students interest
• engaged
• turn taking
• games
• directions

Readings-

• K-W-L
• note taking
• summary
• pictures
• graphic organizers