[LIT] Independent Reading

[Catherine Boicelli]

My students read 20+ minutes for SSR daily but I have a 3 period core of about 120 minutes for Language Arts and Social Studies.  They are beginning literature responses to their SSR too.  Not only that, I have a 12 prompt reading log they do at home where they read 30 minutes daily (evenings?) and write their response.  I get the parents involved through their signing it for full weekly credit. If there is no signature, then only partial credit is given.  It forces the issue that ultimately parents are the guiding force in their child's life, along with sharing the literature they're reading.  Of course there are those who don't talk about it but just sign, but even that is a step forward for some, toward more interaction with the kids about their school work.  I teach 6th grade in a middle school.  Oh! And I told them I expect they'll be reading the same book for both so they can think more about what they're reading and writing.  They sure liked that!