Later in the day, my students and I work through the ELA Listening & Learning Domains. Again, I have heard some "Wow" conversations and comments develop during this time of study. I was impressed with the excitement of learning new terms during our Five Senses domain and their ability to retain their learning from day to day. A parent shared with me how impressed they were when their son came home, every night, with a report of what he learned. From smell receptors to molecules, they enjoyed learning "big kid" words!
An additional bright spot happened while a colleague was teaching the Stories domain. While listening to "The Story of Jumping Mouse," a student made an amazing connection. When Jumping Mouse gave his hearing and eyesight away, this student spoke up and said, "Just like Helen Keller"! (who the students were introduced to in the Five Senses domain.)
These are the connections we want students to start making between and within the literature they are reading and listening to. These are only a few great moments and I look forward to many more of them this year!
Melissa B. Kelly is a Kindergarten Teacher at Cassadaga Valley Central Schools in the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES region.