[LIT] Reading Question
ljackson
ljackson at gwtc.net
Mon Oct 22 07:34:25 EDT 2007
A survival story of the worst kind--extreme abuse. There are three in the
series. Get them all. Get two copies. They fly off the shelves.
Lori
On 10/21/07 8:31 PM, "Lucinda Marcello" <rpmgrace at cox.net> wrote:
> Thank you, Heather! I am going to find these books you recommend.
>
> What is it about A Child Called It??
>
> The library's copies are in shreds. The students really connect with it or
> are fascinated. Overcoming odds? Hope?
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Heather Poland" <hpoland at gmail.com>
> To: "A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades."
> <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
> Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 5:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading Question
>
>
> For non-fiction:
>
> Oh Yuck! is a big book, but it has yucky facts. Everyone loves it! They
> also have other ones in that series
>
> There is a series that on the front says "High Interest" but I can't
> remember the publisher! They have books like Rat Attacks and they are really
> great!
>
> Oh also the diary type books are always popular and also A Child Called It.
>
> On 10/21/07, Lucinda Marcello <rpmgrace at cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for the great list of books for those uninterested readers,
>> Heather!
>>
>> Do you have any ideas for non-fiction as well? Let me know!
>>
>> Some have loved Soul Surfer about the girl in the shark attact who got
>> back
>> onboard. Author Bethany Hamilton.
>>
>> http://www.bethanyhamilton.com/
>>
>> Lucinda
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Heather Poland" <hpoland at gmail.com>
>> To: "A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades."
>> <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 5:03 PM
>> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading Question
>>
>>
>> There are some Gary Soto books that are great - Taking Sides, The
>> Afterlife,
>> Pacific Crossing
>>
>> Orca press has some great high interest/low level books, but there are
>> some
>> that may not be appropriate for middle school, so check them out first.
>>
>> Stuck in Neutral, Cruise Control, and Inside Out by Terry Trueman are also
>> great.
>>
>> Most of my reluctant readers love Cirque Du Freak and the Lord Loss series
>> and don't care about the length.
>>
>> On 10/21/07, Lucinda Marcello <rpmgrace at cox.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> Yes, the freedom to drop with a deadline looming is a challenge. I am
>>> going
>>> to rethink and rearrange what I am doing.
>>> Thanks for all of the feedback today.
>>>
>>> I need a list of shorter books for those students who are not successful
>>> with any book yet. I have many who "drop" as many as they pick up. It
>>> would
>>> be great to hear of others who know of good middle school books (short)
>>> for
>>> those students who are already behind in reading levels. Usually boys
>> but
>>> not always.
>>>
>>> I will check out Rewind and Into the Dream. Many are liking the Cirque
>> Du
>>> Freak series by Darren Shan. I am not a horror fan but some students
>> just
>>> love it (girls and boys!) and are inhaling these books! I would never
>> have
>>> read a "vampire" book but picked up Twilight since I heard raves. Oh my,
>>> the
>>> relationship between this normal teen girl and unique guy was so
>>> refreshing.
>>> I loved Bella and Edward. Miss them now that the series is awaiting the
>>> 4th
>>> book. By taking a chance, I was under the spell. Isn't that what we want
>>> for
>>> our reading students? Enchanted by reading for pleasure, information,
>> and
>>> learning! I want them to fall in love with reading like I have......
>>> Lucinda
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: <khonyx at aol.com>
>>> To: <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 3:25 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading Question
>>>
>>>
>>>> Most have read 3-5 books.? I have one girl that read through the
>> Golden
>>>> Compass series, the Lightning Thief books,?and the last of the Harry
>>>> Potters.? She's not the norm, but it is exciting to watch her.
>>>>
>>>> I also have a group that have "dropped" 7 or 8 books that I have
>> working
>>>> on short "chapter books" so they have at least 1 book under their
>>> belts.?
>>>> Most of these tend to be guys so I have them reading Rewind, Into the
>>>> Dream and some short sports-themed books. It's hard to maintain the
>>>> "freedom to drop" when you know they need to finish something to get
>> the
>>>> idea.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Karen Onyx
>>>> Carusi Middle School
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Lucinda Marcello <rpmgrace at cox.net>
>>>> To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades.
>>>> <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
>>>> Sent: Sun, 21 Oct 2007 6:07 pm
>>>> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading Question
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Wow. Your students have finished 8-10 books since September? We need
>> to
>>>> readjust in my class!
>>>>
>>>> I am thinking we need to read more non-fiction since others have
>> posted
>>>> their use of non-fiction.
>>>>
>>>> Do you read 20 minutes in class every day? If we did more independent
>>>> reading in class, I wonder if it would be more effective. Many do not
>> do
>>>> any
>>>> homework. I am beginning to rethink the amount of reading and writing
>>>> homework, as well. Homework seems to be a nightmare for some parents,
>> a
>>>> blow-off for some students, a copy-it-over-lunch solution for some
>>>> students,
>>>> a few faithful who will do it and who is benefiting?
>>>>
>>>> I agree with all of you about choose your genre and drop it if it is
>> not
>>>> working. Good thought about letting friends read the same book then
>>>> discuss
>>>> it. I like the idea of writing a letter in response to a book. Maybe a
>>>> persuasive letter since that is our next benchmark.
>>>>
>>>> Great ideas, thanks so much for sharing today!
>>>>
>>>> Lucinda
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: <khonyx at aol.com>
>>>> To: <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
>>>> Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 12:31 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading Question
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Bill,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm finding the very same thing.?Choice is the key, as well as the
>>>>> freedom
>>>>> to drop.? I'm using 20 minutes of my 50 minutes class and 20 minutes
>> at
>>>>> home for independent reading.? I've been logging in pages and book
>>> titles
>>>>> each day for accountablility.? Although I have several students still
>>>>> working on their first books, I also have quite a few on their 8th or
>>>>> 10th
>>>>> book since since September.
>>>>>
>>>>> It's sort of funny; I've had several ask if they can read the same
>> book
>>>>> together so they can talk about it.? Who am I to say no to such a
>>>>> request?
>>>>>
>>>>> I have asked them to write 2 letters and a book recommendation so
>> far.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm also working doing the reading skills work on non-fiction or
>>> picture
>>>>> books.? We've talked quite a bit about efferent and aestetic reading
>>> and
>>>>> are currently trying to figure out how to best read texbooks.? The
>> math
>>>>> textbook discussions have been quite interesting.? My thinking is
>> that
>>> if
>>>>> we can develop the skills on non-fiction text, it will carry over to
>>> the
>>>>> fiction without breaking into their enjoyment and focus.? Am I crazy?
>>> or
>>>>> at least on the right track?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Karen Onyx
>>>>> Carusi Middle School
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Bill IVEY <bivey at sbschool.org>
>>>>> Bcc: khonyx at aol.com
>>>>> Sent: Sun, 21 Oct 2007 3:04 pm
>>>>> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading Question
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi!
>>>>>
>>>>> I love this group - so many answers so quickly, and such strong
>>> answers!
>>>>> I
>>>>> honestly don't think I have much to add, though I will say that I
>> think
>>>>> one of the most fundamental elements in building interest in reading
>> is
>>>>> the part about just letting them read what they want to. I often get,
>>>>> "Wait, you mean I can just read (fill in the blank - often a Meg
>> Cabot
>>>>> title) and that's okay?" Also, the idea that they can drop the book
>> if
>>>>> they lose interest in it.
>>>>>
>>>>> Although I think my kids do enjoy having group discussions of books,
>>>>> several have told me that they are much happier reading on their own
>>> then
>>>>> reading something I've picked out for them, or even something they've
>>>>> picked out as a group book from a number of choices.
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh, I did just think about "morning reading" - i.e. read-alouds. I
>>> think
>>>>> that has been huge in my class, for generally building interest in
>>>>> reading, for helping students learn from each other about how to
>> think
>>>>> about reading, and for just enjoying being together ("building
>>>>> community").
>>>>>
>>>>> Take care,
>>>>> Bill Ivey
>>>>> Stoneleigh-Burnham School
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>> ________________________________________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
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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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>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.3/1082 - Release Date:
>> 10/20/2007
>> 2:59 PM
>>
>>
>>
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>>
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>
>
--
Lori Jackson
District Literacy Coach & Mentor
Todd County School District
Box 87
Mission SD 57555
http:www.tcsdk12.org
ph. 605.856.2211
Literacies for All Summer Institute
July 17-20. 2008
Tucson, Arizona
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