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: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> 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 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Bcc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > 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. > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive > > > ________________________________________________________________________ > Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - > http://mail.aol.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. > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.3/1082 - Release Date: > 10/20/2007 2:59 PM > > _______________________________________________ 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. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
