Rachel Ormand Blog 4 Routman Ch.6&7 Plan for and Monitor Independent reading/Make assessment instructions working partner

I really enjoyed  what Routman had to say in  Chapter 6 Plan for and monitor Independent Reading. I am always looking for ways to help improve my independent reading time and the books I choose for my kinders to read. My independent reading time is between my science and math time and usually lasts about 15 minutes. I have book baskets set out at each table and they are separated by units we are studying, author studies, and books students enjoy reading. I encourage students to read quietly to themselves but we all know that its almost impossible for 5 year old children to read "in their brains". While reading this article, I particularly enjoyed the section geared towards a kindergarten independent reading time. She talked about students reading the pictures, and reading books that have been read to them in the classroom. I have a couple students who will mimic reading the way I read to them in the whole group setting. I am enjoying watching my students become readers and I hope they will fall in love with reading, the same way I did.

Chapter 7 of Routmans Reading Essentials is about assessing a students reading comprehension of books. I asses my students understanding of the book they are reading by independent conferencing. I enjoy that one on one time with my students because learning about them as a reader helps me learn about them as a person. I am always amazed by what my students can infer just by looking at a picture. At this point in the school year, the questions I ask during independent reading time gear towards what the pictures tell them, not by what they have "read". I do have a few students who are able to look for key words and sight words that help them read their book.