Tina, I am breaking into your conversation with Heather, my apologies. I teach 6-8th grade kids who were minimal on our State test in reading. I have the kids read for 15 minutes silently and then have them complete a 2 column response journal. On the left side they write the plot events, literal details. On the right, they respond in any fashion they want. I model evaluating the text one day, then the next I might take one idea from the reading and write about how it fits with my life, the next day then I might write a poem based on what I read about. I have had GREAT success with the responses. The kids are thinking more deeply and making strong connections to the text. When the kids are finished reading their independent book, my paraprofessional takes them and has them retell the details to her and discusses the different types of responses they have, and what they see themselves doing most often. She encourages them to stretch their responses to see where their thoughts might take them. I stole this idea from Stephanie Harvey at a reading convention. She modeled with the book The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter.
Hope this helps! I'm looking forward to hearing what others do! Patricia Sankey Reading Specialist Templeton Middle School >>> "Tina Sciumbata" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 9/13/2006 10:19 PM >>> Heather, I like the idea of having the kids read silently for the 1st 10 minutes or so of class. We also have reading time everyday. In a.m. homeroom, we read aloud a book to the kids for about 20 minutes. Like you, I believe that practice, practice, practice will make the kids better readers. I tell them that on day one, making analogies to athletes, musicians, artists who practice to improve on their craft. I want to implement your idea of reading at the beginning of class. I have some "rowdy" kids & I think that would be a good way for them to settle down before we start, plus it would give me time to do attendance. Also, there are always one or two kids who need help with something in the beginning of class. Okay, so to my question. Do you have the kids do anything after they read for 10 minutes such as a journal entry about what they read? Or, do you just call time & get started on the agenda for the day? ~Tina "A good teacher must be able to put herself in the place of those who find learning hard." ~Eliphas Levi~ Tina B's Designs http://tinabsdesigns.com _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org.
