9: Everything Has a Purpose

Years ago, my classroom was a demonstration room.

I use to love it when my friend Janette would escort 

visitors in because she knew exactly what I was doing

and could tell visitors the thinking behind my actions.

Today a visiting TA was working with one of my small groups.

He notice one of the students made a mistake in matching the letters in his name.

As he was pointing it out to him and just about ready to assist him in correcting his mistake,

I stopped him.

I told him exactly what my intentions were,

to just watch and see what they do.

A lot of important information can be found

by 

just

doing

nothing.

He understood my purpose.

R wasn't able to visually match his letters independently yet.

After lunch, I modeled what to do.

He still struggled.

So I scaffold even more and had him glue directly on top of each letter.

He was more successful.

I know where to take him next.

S was able to visually match the letters in his name.

He just needs practice with letters that are commonly transposed or reversed.

G matches letters in random order as she finds them laid out. 
(I mixed the order on purpose)
We will work on directionality.

M was able to match his letters from left to right.

His letters were in the proper position and he could read his name.

A simple task,

but so much information.