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: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> 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 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. > <[email protected]> > 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: <[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 > > > ________________________________________________________________________ > 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
