Literature Circle Learning Story - Adjectives Group

Learner:  Sadeen (Adjectives)                                              Date: June 2015 Kevin, Imran, Shivran, Rahi, Nehaal, Shivin, Jessica & Vrishti

Learning Area: Literacy                                         Learning Coach: Diana Wilkes

Learning Observed

Reading research shows that good readers Read extensively Integrate information in the text with existing knowledge Have a flexible reading style, depending on what they are reading Are motivated Rely on different skills interacting: perceptual processing, phonemic processing, recall Read for a purpose; reading serves a function With this in mind we deliberately constructed a ‘book club’ of sorts this term. We began by learning about how to select and why to select a ‘Best Fit’ book- please ask Sadeen what book she is reading and how she knows it is a best fit on a regular basis.  The Adjectives learned all about the 5 finger strategy to help them choose a book.  The Adjectives group was also introduced to an online book resource called http://booktrackclassroom.com which can be accessed anytime. In our Literature Circle each learner has a different role each week:  Summariser, Literary Luminary, Word Wizard, Discussion Director, Connector, Artful Artist or Researcher which ensures that the book club runs smoothly. It has been fantastic to observe Sadeen engage with each of these roles seamlessly and actively contribute to conversations- she is a role model for the other learners.

Evidence of learning

Collaborative Google Doc        Snippet of meeting

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

Sadeen is showing Connectedness by relating her learning to the text we are reading. She is relating to others well by remaining respectful while others speak and she is Collaborative when she is participating in the discussion.  She is also developing her Capability in reading conversation and oral language.

Next Learning Steps

Always have a Best Fit book at school everyday and read every night at home, out loud when possible Visit booktrackclassroom.com often to read new books

Sadeen's Music Learning Story

Learners:  Kim, Sadeen, Shreya and Christian    Learning Coach: T. Dillner                                              Date: 2.6.15

Learning Area: The Arts - Music

Learning Observed

The Keas Hapu group have been learning about the features that we use to make music. They were introduced to the formal language of Tempo, Dynamics and Rhythm. After three sessions, Kim, Sadeen, Shreya and Christian chose to work together in a group to collaboratively write three lots of four beats (rhythm), that had a change in volume (dynamics) and speed (tempo). The learners needed to record their patterns using correct musical notes to show timing and the correct Italian terms to show where the dynamics and tempo changed. The girls then had an opportunity to share this with the Keas and demonstrate their understanding of the three features of music. They used clapping to show these patterns.

Evidence of learning

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

All four girls worked collaboratively to share their thinking and formulate their pattern (Participating and Contributing). By standing up and giving a short presentation, they demonstrated their capability in understanding these three features of music. When we talked about Dynamics and Tempo, the learners were making connections with new vocabulary. They had to make sense of words and symbols in the traditional language of music - Italian (Using Language, Symbols and Texts).

Next Learning Steps

To make up a clapping game that uses the same thinking or language from this activity. In the future, practise musical performances in order to stay in time with one another.