Teach. Stop. Reflect.

With my Kinder students, it's all about staying busy! We start by going over our learning target- "I can identify and name all uppercase letters of the ALPHABET!" (They yell the word alphabet- too cute) After we and point to the alphabet.  I have them point (using cute pointers) to a letter that I call out.  I then might ask, "What does that letter say?" to get them to tell me the sound it makes. Then we spread out uppercase letters that we have been working on, like C, O, A, D, M, G.  I ask them to grab the letter I say out loud.  Then we put them back and make a few words like MAD, DOG, COD, etc.  I first model how to sound out the word, and then have them copy me.  The modeling part is KEY. Finally I give them a "strip" of random letters.  For example, it could be: C O C D C D O C.  The purpose is repetition.  It helps them remember!  They can only handle small spurts of information :).

I am starting to think that being prepared is everything. My groups have become way more productive ever since I made a few changes. 1. I pre-write our word pattern for the day 2. I preview the book and print out what I think will be difficult words 3. I carry their book pouches on the way to our room and take out their take-home books 4. I have their Sight Word Spinners out on the table, ready to go 5. I have a notepad and pen ready to take notes Our LLI group runs SO smoothly by doing these SIMPLE things!