Wings to Soar
- Mr. Jacobsen and Mrs. Gruper
- Apr 21, 2017
- 3 min read
“We can learn a lesson from the butterfly beginning its life crawling along the ground, then spinning a cocoon, patiently waiting until the day it will fly.”
― Heather Wolf, Kipnuk the Talking Dog
It’s springtime and monarch butterfly eggs are transforming into caterpillars; children are in the stages of reading development; and teachers are in the stages of transitioning our students. Like the caterpillar must consume vast amounts of food to develop so must our children read voraciously. We celebrate these times at Glacier Ridge.
Our newest polar bears joined us at the start of the year. Most of them entered kindergarten as pre-emergent readers. Over the course of the year our fourth grade buddies practiced identifying letters, making letter sounds, and forming letters. Teachers read aloud every day and discussed about the main topic, key details, and telling a story ensued. They learned about the world around them from each other. At station time our polar bears participated in shared reading, writing (Little Books are the favorite!), speaking and listening. During Guided Reading our students developed their skill set with our teachers’ guidance to begin to independently read. Students then brought their book bags home to practice reading with family members. Our growing polar bears moved into the beginning stages of reading.
Our first-grade polar bears continued onto the transitional reading stage. During this stage of reading and writing, students learn how reading communicates different messages. Currently, first-graders are using text features in informational text to learn about the life cycle of insects; they are writing journals about their observations and research; and they are sharing their thoughts with each other. Butterfly and milkweed bugs have arrived for us to observe the life cycle. How apropos!
Through second to fifth grade, our polar bears continue through the next reading stages. Their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills strengthen as our teachers use the balanced literacy approach in their classrooms. Just as a chrysalis protects the butterfly in its stages of development, the walls (and the people) of Glacier Ridge (including our families) protect our readers. In the chrysalis it may appear to the outside observer that nothing is happening. In reality there is specialized development happening that transforms the caterpillar into the beauty of a butterfly. Through their years with us the children have moved to the specialized reading stage: reading for meaning. They are critical thinkers. They know different text types and purposes for reading and writing. They are prepared for their next stage in their reading life cycle; to fly on their own.
Just as Monarch butterflies spread their wings, our students open their minds to learn. You can continue to support our polar bears and set goals for them for this summer.
Besides setting goals, there are some things to note. Next week, Mrs. Johnston will be creating the “Summer Bucket Reading List” with all students. Our summer Glacier Ridge Reads will be posted soon (May 4th is our last one of the school year.). Add these dates to your calendar now. The public libraries will be visiting our schools in May and will also be attending our Open House on May 11th. Keep an eye out for our read with the principals at the Crystal Lake public Library this summer!
As our polar bears choose the books they plan to read this summer and set goals to make reading a habit in their lives, we encourage everyone to support them. Trips to the library and bookstore; reviewing book lists and recommendations; and reading together are perfect ways to guide our readers. Below are a few resources we can all use in our pursuit to guide the flight of our polar bears.
Butterfly and Caterpillar books at the Crystal Lake Library
Butterfly and Caterpillar books at the Algonquin Library
Miscellaneous Resources
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