Crestwood Day School

A Reader's Toolbox: Tools to Help Us Read Words

Watching a child learn to read is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences as a teacher.  It never gets old!  And excitement is in the air in the K-1 class, as many of the children are in the beginning stages of reading. 

In our class, we've been discussing some different tools that readers use when they come to challening or tricky words.  We call it our "Reader's Toolbox."  I thought it might be helpful to share some of those tools, so that you can see how we talk about it in school, which will provide some consistency at home.

Here are some tools you can encourage your child to use while they're reading:

• readers study the pictures and think about the story
• readers figure out words by saying the sound of the beginning letters
• readers figure out words by noticing the ends of words
• readers figure out words by moving through the whole word
• readers always think about what makes sense
• readers can also sound out words in chunks and find little words in big words

Happy Reading!

Poppy Fields

Miss Nikki's class studied Monet's painting, Poppy Field. Using this painting, they experimented with how color can affect the mood. Using two photos of Monet's painting, they painted directly on top, but using different colors on each photo.  They also narrated about each of their paintings.  Check out their artwork and narrations below! 

Selah:

I chose the colors in the first picture because I wanted to make it look real. It feels like it is a cool, kind of medium day. I used green, blue, white and a maroon color.

I chose the colors in the second picture because they make it feel a little more shady. It feels windy. I used purple, pink, blue and white.

The first picture and the second picture are different colors.  The second one is much cooler because of the purple. The first one is much hotter because the sun is shining.

Lucy:

The first picture is like spring. The leaves are green and the flowers are growing.

In the second picture everything is white. It feels like winter.  It is really cozy inside the little house.

The main difference between the two pictures is that it is snowing in one and it is spring in the other.

Riley

In the first picture, I chose the colors I used because it is evening and a storm is coming so I used purple for the clouds and made them look like they were rolling. The grass is really dark and the poppies are sticking out.

 In the second picture, I wanted it to look like it was bright and sunny because the poppies are cherry and the grass is rippling in the wind. Everything is really happy. I used really bright blue for the sky. And really white clouds. The grass is just a  little dark and the poppies are really really bright. I did them fatter because they are in bloom.

The difference between the two pictures is that the first picture is really dark and dreary and the second picture is really bright and cheery. The first one has dark colors and the second one has bright colors.

Reagan:

I chose the colors in the first picture because I thought the green was a good color for pine. I chose light colors for the sky because I like dark skies instead of bright skies. For some of the colors I used them because I really, really liked them.  It is sunny and happy.

I chose the colors in the second picture because I really love fantasy. I love the color I used for the sky because I thought it was so beautiful because it is bright, but not too bright. It feels dark and magical.

Caroline:

I chose the colors in the first picture to make it feel like summer time because everything is green and there are a lot of flowers and people are walking with parasols through the countryside. It feels warm and peaceful.

I chose the colors in the second picture  to make this one feel like fall and there is a big gust of wind. There are a lot of reds, oranges, pinks and browns. It feels calm and cool. And good smelling air.

The difference between the two pictures is that it is a different season.

Waterlilies

Mrs. Stephanie's class studied Monet's famous painting, Waterlilies. 

We used oil pastels and watercolors to create our own version of his painting.
Click here to see the lesson plan I used...and be sure to click on the paintings to make them larger!)

Up next is Miss Nikki's class! 

In Monet's Garden

For our first term of the year, we've all been studying and learning about Claude Monet.  Each week, we do a picture study of one of his paintings.  Each class has also created some of their own Monet-inspired artwork in his Impressionist style. 

First up is our K4 class, who were inspired by Monet's painting, Waterlily Pond. 

Mrs.  Dawn's class used oil pastels and watercolors for their waterlily ponds. 

(click on images to make them larger)

 
Stay tuned for Mrs. Stephanie's class! 

A Feast of Books

(image from flickr)

Charlotte Mason once said, "...to introduce children to literature is to install them in a very rich and glorious kingdom, to bring a continual holiday to their doors, to lay before them a feast exquisitely served."  Using "living" books to educate children is one of the most important parts of a Charlotte Mason education.  I love discovering or hearing about new books or authors - it is like a continual holiday! 

A group of women have been meeting at my house for several months going through the book, When Children Love to Learn.  We put together this list of books, or rather, this "Feast of Books."  It's a compilation of wonderful books for children and adults.  I know there are many not mentioned on this list - so just treat this list as something to wet our appetite.  There is so much more to this feast!  If you have some favorite books or authors (for children or adults), just let me know! 

Click here for a pdf of the "Feast of Books"