General classroom visit

Summary

This video showcases Sheila Owens' kindergarten class at Wellwood Elementary in Beaumont, California, highlighting her innovative literacy practices. Owens emphasizes creating a learning environment where every student is seen as a reader and writer from day one, regardless of their background. The class engages in structured reading and writing activities such as read-alouds, shared reading, and independent writing. Owens blends phonics with vocabulary building, promoting collaboration and independence in students, while incorporating their diverse linguistic needs. Ultimately, her goal is for students to develop a lifelong love for reading and writing, even without her direct presence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Students are viewed as readers and writers from day one, regardless of their background or language skills.
• 😀 The classroom follows a consistent literacy routine that includes read aloud, shared reading, guided reading, and independent reading.
• 😀 Phonics instruction is an essential part of early literacy, focusing on letter sounds, recognition, and decoding skills.
• 😀 Emphasis is placed on comprehension through interactive questioning, connecting books to students' personal experiences, and making predictions.
• 😀 Writing instruction includes both interactive writing (shared pen activity) and independent writing to develop writing fluency and self-expression.
• 😀 Bilingual support is provided to English Language Learners (ELLs), allowing them to use their home language alongside English.
• 😀 The teacher encourages peer collaboration to promote higher comprehension and engagement through shared learning experiences.
• 😀 Literacy centers are designed to target different skills, such as letter recognition, spelling, and word sorting, while allowing students to work at their own level.
• 😀 Teachers use ongoing observation to assess students' progress in reading and writing, and they adjust lessons based on the students' needs.
• 😀 The ultimate goal is to foster a love for reading and writing, ensuring that students can engage with texts independently, both in the classroom and beyond.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of Sheila Owens' kindergarten classroom?

The primary goal is for children to become independent, confident readers and writers who love reading and writing, and can do so even when the teacher is not present.

How does Sheila Owens structure the reading activities in her classroom?

She structures reading with four main activities: read aloud, shared reading, guided reading, and independent reading, gradually shifting responsibility from teacher to student.

How does the classroom address the needs of English language learners?

English language learners are supported through bilingual assistance, vocabulary development, small reading groups, encouragement to use their first language, and visual and contextual cues.

What is interactive writing and how is it used in the classroom?

Interactive writing is a process where students and the teacher share the pen to create text together, allowing students to participate in writing, practice spelling, and understand text structure.

What strategies do students use to spell words independently?

Students use strategies such as recalling known words, stretching words out to hear each sound, referring to classroom word walls, and modeling from interactive writing examples.

How does Sheila Owens incorporate comprehension skills into reading activities?

She promotes comprehension by connecting books to students’ lives, discussing predictions, asking questions, explaining new vocabulary, and encouraging students to relate personally to the story.

What role do literacy centers play in the classroom?

Literacy centers provide students with opportunities to practice reading and writing at their own level, reinforcing skills, encouraging collaboration, and giving hands-on engagement with letters, words, and texts.

How does Sheila Owens assess student learning throughout the day?

She observes students during reading and writing activities, noting strategies, behaviors, areas of confusion, and comprehension, then uses these observations to plan immediate and targeted lessons.

What methods are used to teach phonics in the classroom?

Phonics instruction involves teaching letter names and sounds, using visual cues in words, pointing to words while reading, and encouraging students to recognize patterns and make educated guesses.

How are students encouraged to see themselves as authors?

The classroom uses an author’s chair and student-created texts to highlight students’ writing, encouraging them to identify as authors and illustrators, model writing behaviors, and inspire peers.

How does Sheila Owens support vocabulary development for students with limited print experience?

She models language during read-alouds, introduces new words, uses visuals and gestures, connects words to students’ experiences, and provides opportunities for repeated use in writing and conversation.

Why does Sheila Owens focus on student independence from the first day of kindergarten?

Focusing on independence from day one reinforces the message that all students are capable readers and writers, builds confidence, and fosters lifelong habits of reading and writing.