Reading groups: parent helper

Today Priscilla became a parent helper in KC. She was asked to help a group of children to identify a sight word from some written on cards, and then to write a sentence on the small A3 whiteboards using that word. Two other mothers helped with worksheets and reading from poster, 2 teachers aides were there as well as Miss Clarke.

Happily Abigail was in the first group (Lions) that Priscilla helped (probably 3 of the "best" readers). The others were Connor McMaster and Xavier. Xavier was very flamboyant and confident, getting ideas and writing quickly tho' spelling is not always correct but he fit all 3 sentences onto his whiteboard. (I have a woolly coat. Come to my woolly coat shop. Something something are scary.) He wants to draw as soon as he has finished his sentences.

Connor is slow, silent and almost only observing not really concentrating on writing but wanting to draw. His ideas come gradually. Abigail likes a lot of space on her page, and is at the bottom of the board when 2 of the 3 words have been presented. She is between the boys in speed of forming her ideas. She is involved with writing and doesn't want to draw.

Then the reading groups were rotated and now Priscilla had 6 of almost the "worst" readers. They managed to recognise the sight words but had trouble thinking of a sentence that contained that word. Once Priscilla suggested a sentence they started writing but all had problems making the letter shapes even when told what to spell. Luckily there were alphabets laminated onto the table tops that they could copy off, once they found which one it was! Gradually the children gained confidence to change Priscilla's sentence with words they wanted to use. (My cat is fat/black/skinny). Marcus didn't even want to write, altho the word was "car" which he smiled at (Big car/cat/fairy).

Then Miss Clarke rang her hand bell to signal the end of the writing. The children were told to stand behind their chairs ready for morning tea, and to thank the parents for helping. Priscilla hugged Abigail before departing and handing in her visitors' badge to Connie in the office. 45 minutes had elapsed.