Guidance - Using the Work Space

Overview

In this video segment, the teacher uses the teaching strategy of sound boxes to help students hear the three sounds in the word "fun" and then spell the word. These words of course are tied to the creation of the thank you note. The teacher places the sound box in the upper half of a large folded piece of chart paper on the board.

In the reflection portion of the video segment, the teacher mentions that the upper half of the chart paper is for a using the space activity. In using the space, students are given the chance to practice skills that directly impact what is written in the lower half of the chart paper. The students can work out what they want to write before they actually write it.

Classroom Activity: Observations

Notice how the teacher uses the sounds heard in the word "fun" to help children spell the word. The children are given the opportunity to stretch out the word to hear each sound (phoneme) and thereby think of the letter (grapheme) that corresponds with it.

Also notice in the reflection portion of the video segment, the teacher mentions the various things she has around the classroom that help students as they engage in writing activities.