Young Children - March 2008 - (Page 45) Binney_YC_050107.qxd 3/15/07 10:22 AM [Entire newsletter is online at www.journal. naeyc.org/btj/200803/pdf/Hurless.pdf] and traditions, share resources and stories, or come to the classroom to help with a cooking project, science experiment, or art activity. Involvement is flexible so that families can help in the ways in which they are most comfortable. Documenting children’s learning Each child has a binder that holds his or her drawings and written work. The children write about field trips, nature walks, assemblies, and weekend news. These collections document their growth. I share the binders with families at conferences in November and March, so they can see what their children have learned. Children continually reflect on their own work and their learning. For example, the children think about their The children enjoy looking through their binders throughout the year to revisit past experiences and see their own progress. learning styles (see “Myself As a Learner,” p. 46). Before the March conferences, they write about what they like best about first grade and what they are really good at in school, then what they need to work on more, and next what they would like the teacher to tell their families about themselves and school. These documents too go into their binders. The children enjoy looking through their binders throughout the year to revisit past experiences and see their own progress. At the end of the year, the binders go home with them. Families and school administrators support the integrated curriculum approach because it has proven successful. Children in my class get excited about learning and want to read and explore. We discuss connections between the things we’ve studied to help give meaning to their world. At the end of the year, they keep three special documents: their writing binder, with an overview of their year; their Themes and Authors book, with theme bibliographies and their own reviews of their favorite book in each theme; and their Riddle and Poem Anthology, with copies of the poems and songs they learned as well as pages of the weekly riddles-a-day. Crayola Washable Marker Classpack assortments. Perfect for teachers, students and budgets. ® ® Visit Discount School Supply for great values on Crayola Washable Marker Classpack assortments. www.DiscountSchoolSupply.com 1-800-627-2829 ©2007 Binney & Smith. All rights reserved. Crayola, Classpack, and the chevron, serpentine, and oval smile designs are registered trademarks of Binney & Smith. Young Children • March 2008 45 http://www.journal.naeyc.org/btj/200803/pdf/Hurless.pdf http://www.journal.naeyc.org/btj/200803/pdf/Hurless.pdf
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