Letters Q and U Wedding– Corbett Prep PreK4 Students Celebrate Lifelong Learning
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| PreK4 teachers officiated the wedding of Q and U for students as honored guests. |
Feb. 22, 2013 (TAMPA, FL) – Corbett Preparatory
School of IDS PreK4 teachers introduced the
inseparable couple qu to their students using the
strategy “See, Think, Wonder,” outlined by Ron
Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin Morrison in their
book Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote
Engagement, Understanding and Independence for All
Learners. The students quickly connected and made
observations as to what they “see,” “think,” and
“wonder” when they look at images representing words
that begin with qu to add to the chart on the classroom
wall.
Lessons in all Corbett Prep classrooms can be seen,
heard, and are always “experienced” as part of the
school’s philosophy of creating lifelong learners. The q
and u unit was introduced to the PreK4 students in a
purposeful way designed to ignite interest and spark
questions right away.
For this unit on the blend qu, students contributed thoughts and created lists as to everything they “saw” when they looked at
images of qu words-- queens, quarters, quakes. After posting these lists, students were asked to share what they “thought” about
the items and why. Finally, they “wondered.” They wondered about each item which means they were, most importantly, asking
their own questions.
Students cut out ducks who “quietly quacked” the word lists in word bubbles and quickly noticed the pattern that u always
follows q to produce the /kw/ sound. AHA!
In addition to reading qu stories, charting qu words, playing qu games that included Venn diagrams and thinking maps, the PreK4
students “lived” their qu words through hands-on activities designed to reinforce their knowledge.
In each phonics unit, teachers focus on letter formation and handwriting as well as phonemic awareness by listing, writing, and
drawing words that use the letter/blend of the week. Many activities involve teamwork and collaboration. Additionally, in order to
address each level of mastery, some work, such as writing, involves one-on-one work with the teacher.
“There is meaning behind everything we do,” said Lori Hohmann, PreK4 teacher.
Teacher Ashleigh Elozory said since q takes u everywhere she goes, a wedding for the two letters seemed fitting. So Ms. Elozory
and fellow PreK4 teachers Teresa Krig, Lori Hohmann, and Alejandra Izquierdo planned a memorable celebration to which each
student was invited as an honored guest.
Dressed as letters of the alphabet, the PreK4 students attended the wedding fit for a queen and celebrated in a reception with
quirky music and quite delicious treats.
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