This is one area I stress to my students. I am forever telling them get a book you like but one that is on your reading level. For many that is hard b/c they are embarresed that they have to read easier books. What I have done is check out books for them that way they can read independently and nobody knows who they are for. Challenging kids to become indpendent thinkers is difficult in our society and finding that perfect balance is something many pay tons of money to find.
Another item I liked in this part was on pg 50 where the girl stopped the author in the hall to discuss that they reviewed way to much. When I taught HS and pulled out the biology book my kids hated it becuase they had the same text the last two years (Spec Ed grades 11-12 with a few freshman) so I changed and taught Marine Biology. We did the normal stuff plus dissection and my kids loved it.
I find challenge is a good thing even in our own lives and the more we challenge them the more it challenges us.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree with Elizabeth about challenging children of today. They don't like to think for themselves. I see that with the 1st graders also. They even have trouble handling a situation on their own. They would rather have something read to them or a situation taken care of for them. I find myself asking the student, "How can you handle that" or "What do you think you should do." It makes the student really think. Sometimes they need coaching, but other times they actually can figure it out.
ReplyDeleteI agree that independent reading is important, and sometimes easy to overlook in the school setting. I have made a commitment to my students this year to not only help them find books that interest them, but to hold them accountable.I am using AR and a book review format for each book.
ReplyDeleteI agree that students need to be challenged to read independently. It is very discouraging sometimes because they don't want to do it. I also require my students to read AR and complete a form that deals with elements of plot and character.
ReplyDeleteI have found that one way to encourage independent reading is by sharing/reading aloud a book. For some students, this gives extra support when they read on their own, because they are already familiar with the story. This is also a way of giving a book my blessing, which can motivate students to read a book on their own that they may otherwise have not.
ReplyDeleteReading is so very important in all subjects. I use the Daily 5 in my classroom. I teach 5th grade-all subjects-and each student has their own basket where they keep their library books, literature circle books and other reading choices. I have Read to Self every day in my class. This means the students are reading for a minimum of 20 minutes every day from their novels and books of their choices. This gives them ownership of their learning because they are given a choice of reading material. We discuss Good fit books the first couple of weeks of school to assist those students who struggle with finding books of interest and comprehending what they have chosen to read. This is my second year of incorporating the Daily 5 in my class and I have seen success with every student. It is so exciting to walk into a classroom and see the students engaged in a book and to see them sustained in said reading for an extended period of time. Many students ask for more time because they are at "the good part" or "I've just got to see what happens next".
ReplyDelete