CLS Early ELA Blog

This afternoon, I met with the Hudson Valley Writing Project Early Literacy Study Group.  It is wonderful to interact with such wonderful educators.  Everyone at today’s meeting worked with kindergarten students.  We read and reacted to the New York Times article.  Much of our talk was about authentic curriculum rather that isolated units of study during isolated times of the day.  We learned from Rebecca how much can be learned as students engage in an organic farm she has created at her school.  Eric S. shared the letter writing his students have been producing.  His students have been 100% involved in this writing endeavor.  He raised the question- How can we get students to be this wholly committed and involved in other authentic writing experiences?

Rebecca also told us about her poetry unit.

I hope to bring both letter writing and poetry to my kindergartners before the end of the school year.

ANy comments?                 Muriel Horowitz

I apologize for not writing for quite a while.  I’m attempting to rectify this for the rest of the school year.  I’d appreciate your comments back.

This year, I’ve been looking a lot at oral language and especially storytelling.  I’ve been reflecting on how oral storytelling enhances reading and writing and how it can best be incorproated in my program and in the classroom as well.

Equally important, I have been interested in the role of play in early childhood education and the roll of storytelling in play.

Articles of interest on these topics:

THis Sunday, May 3, the New York Times magazine section published an important article on the importance of play in kindergarten.  I recommend your reading this article and would welcome your comments. Here is the link to the online article:     <a title=”blocked::http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/magaz

It was a joy to meet so  many parents during parent conference time.  I loved sharing with each of you just how much I am enjoying the children I work with this year.  I will be writing comments regularly on this blog and asking for your feedback.

This week with the kindergartners, I read a rather comical version of Hickory, Dickory Dock.  We enjoyed finding the rhymes AND the missing clock.

Welcome to Dutchess Educational Blogosphere. Hi! My name is Muriel Horowitz. I teach reading/writing support to kindergartners and second graders at Chancellor Livingstone Elementary School in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Before this, I taught for many years in the Arlington School District. I hope to share ideas, articles and lesson ideas on this site. I will also share some stories and where to find more. Please come back often to see what’s new. If you’d like to be notified when something is added to this site, please let me know.