[LIT] Anyone do Independent Reading during the school day?- 5thgrade

[Heather Poland]

It could be that the students here use it because they are used to every
classroom having a library, from K on through high school. A few years ago
there was a huge push for REaders and Writers Workshop in every classroom
(and that was great) so they are used to independent reading and choosing
books from the classroom library.

While it may not be *easy* to get them to read from the library, it will
help to encourage them. I have a scavenger hunt I use at the beginning of
the year with my Support class so they get familiar with the books and will
be more likely to read them.

On 8/26/06, Traci Moore <MooreT at rockford.k12.mn.us> wrote:
>
> I don't agree that it is as easy as just encourage it and they will use
> it. With the classes I've had, it has depended on the group. They've used it
> more when it's been a group that I have all day, not just for an hour. And,
> there have been groups of kids who were not as easy to entice.
>
> A few things you might try to get kids using your classroom library is to
> do book shares, introduce books you've liked. I do that and then keep them
> on my white board tray until they are checked out, so they are reminded of
> the book they wanted to read. I, also, specifically send kids to the
> classroom library to find a book and then show me what they've chosen. Part
> of my rationale for this is that I can see what they choose given their own
> devices, so I can help coach them in finding something they will like. I
> have also started "Top 5" book lists in the area by my library. Kids will
> sometimes choose more from the classroom when there is a reason to. Like
> "Top 5 Books About Friendship" or "Top 5 Adventures"..they can add a book,
> but it doesn't stay on the list until someone else has read it and "seconded
> the motion." They will often encourage each other to read specific books so
> they can secure their book's place on the list.
>
> Good luck!
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: lit-bounces at literacyworkshop.org on behalf of Heather Poland
> Sent: Fri 8/25/2006 6:04 PM
> To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades.
> Subject: Re: [LIT] Anyone do Independent Reading during the school day?-
> 5thgrade
>
>
>
> In my district, K-5 has Independent Reading every day. At my current
> middle
> school, I could only have it once a week because I had only 1 hour
> classes.
> This year we added a SSR period so we will have it every day! YAY!  Yes, I
> firnly believe that kids need to be reading EVERY DAY in school and at
> home.
>
> The kids will use your class library if you encourage it. I have a huge
> library and they are always getting books from it. I don't think their
> class
> independent reading book should be separate from the home one. Especially
> in
> 5th grade and up because they are reading longer novels and you want them
> to
> stick with a book to the end.
>
> On 8/25/06, Francie Kugelman <kugelmom at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Do you have a set time for independent reading each day?  I was reading
> a
> > file someone posted about this...
> >
> > .."Our goal is that they should read independently for at least 25
> > minutes.
> > Some students will need to work up to this through a combination of
> > partner
> > and independent reading, spending time responding in their journals,
> etc.
> > Begin by talking with the students about goal setting, pointing out that
> > they need not only identify the goal but also make a plan for how to
> > achieve
> > it. In terms of reading what do they want to accomplish this school
> year?
> > How do they plan to accomplish their goals."
> >
> > I know that these students are supposed to read 20 minutes at home each
> > night, but often they do not.  I have Book Clubs in my class and test
> for
> > comprehension at the end of the club so I usually get most of the
> students
> > to read.  But recreational, on their own reading seems impossible to
> > motivate for most students.  I have a library, and I have a great
> > selection
> > of books, but they rarely use it.  That is why I have gone to Class sets
> -
> > we all read a book at home, and Book Clubs - small groups read the same
> > book
> > at home, then meet to discuss it weekly.
> >
> > Independent Reading would be an opportunity to have the students read on
> > their own, their own book in class.  Does anyone do this?  How often?
> How
> > many minutes.  Do you use a daily journal so the students are
> accountable
> > for writing their thoughts about what they read?
> >
> > I really would like them to read a classroom book that is separate than
> > the
> > at home book.
> >
> > Thanks for your ideas and help.
> >
> > I am going to try a lot of new ideas this year, and this seems like a
> good
> > one to add to the barrel.
> >
> > Francie
> > 5th
> > Los Angeles
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>
>
> --
> - Heather
>
> "The world of books is the most remarkable creation of
> man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments
> fall; nations perish; civilizations grow old and die out;
> new races build others. But in the world of books are
> volumes that have seen this happen again and again and yet
> live on. Still young, still as fresh as the day they were
> written, still telling men's hearts of the hearts of men
> centuries dead." --Clarence Day
>
> "While the rhetoric is highly effective, remarkably little
> good evidence exists that there's any educational substance
> behind the accountability and testing movement."
> -Peter Sacks, Standardized Minds
>
> "When our children fail competency tests the schools lose
> funding. When our missiles fail tests, we increase
> funding. "
> -Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Presidential Candidate
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>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to
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>


-- 
- Heather

"The world of books is the most remarkable creation of
man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments
fall; nations perish; civilizations grow old and die out;
new races build others. But in the world of books are
volumes that have seen this happen again and again and yet
live on. Still young, still as fresh as the day they were
written, still telling men's hearts of the hearts of men
centuries dead." --Clarence Day

"While the rhetoric is highly effective, remarkably little
good evidence exists that there's any educational substance
behind the accountability and testing movement."
—Peter Sacks, Standardized Minds

"When our children fail competency tests the schools lose
funding. When our missiles fail tests, we increase
funding. "
—Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Presidential Candidate