This month I read the article Plan for and monitor independent
reading. I want to make sure the independent reading block is effective
in my classroom and this article gave me great ideas and helpful tips. One
thing that I learned and plan on incorporating in my classroom is put out more
“just right” books for them to read. Before I had them read their read well
books because I didn’t have a lot of just right books for them. After going
through some of the books and receiving new books I have a better selection for
them. I believe by putting these books out for them it will sustain their
attention and they will be engaged. Another benefit to having more books the
students will have a choice in their reading. The article talked about the importance
of choice and how it contributes to growth of readers.
I believe choice is so important to help students become successful, excited readers. When students have choice as to what to read, they will work to learn new words and master skills they need to read the text. I have witnessed this with Haley at home. She would sit and read text that were meaningful to her. She would struggle with some words and often pronounce them wrong. Sometimes she would ask for help and sometimes she would read by herself. Although she didn't correctly pronounce all of the words I saw her growing as a reader because she was confident in her ability to read the material and she enjoyed reading because she had choice. I didn't have to push her to learn new skills, because she pushed herself.
ReplyDeleteHi Shaylla,
ReplyDeleteTell me more about what you learned from the article and what specific suggestions from the article you want to try out. I agree that just right books are important to add to the library. I want to encourage you to consider teaching students the process of figuring out how to choose a just right book for themselves so they are able to choose books of interest and those they can read so they can not only sustain interest during independent reading but they can enjoy it as well. How would this look in your classroom? Thanks, Dawn
Shaylla, I know you have been working hard on having appropriate texts for your students to read. As a new teacher, your selection is limited. I like that you are making use of what you have gathered so far. I would like to see you make choosing just-right books something that your students can do independently--teaching them the strategies they need to know.
ReplyDeleteI had a difficulty selecting "just right books" for my students also. However, like you said as my classroom library increased this became easier! I also like the idea Mrs. Couch gave me about book baskets with "just right books." She suggested only putting out a few books at a time and keep them in a rotation! The kids didn't get bored and neither did I!
ReplyDelete