When I conference I carry a clipboard with me holding a blank chart of the class. When I meet with a student, I jot down what they are reading. I take note of how long he/she has been reading that book based on previous weeks and then ask how it's going. If a student has been reading the same book for 3 weeks, for example, a little flag goes up that maybe the book is too difficult, or maybe it's just too hard. Our biggest rule is that "you are not allowed to read a book you don't like!" Of course, we talk too about how to give a book a fair chance, etc. I don't always have a conversation with every student -- some are truly readers and don't need me to light a fire under them! I do always write what they are reading.
I also require students to keep conversation journals with an adult outside my class. It can be a teacher, someone at home, etc. (just has to be an adult) and I mark on my chart if they've completed the weekly conversation. (I used to do this myself for EVERY student and I spent hours and hours of my weekends responding to letters.) Sometimes I read the letter and response from the adult, sometimes I don't. They get credit just for having the conversation. Finally, students are required to keep a reading log for the marking period (got this from Kelly Gallagher Reading Reasons) where they must record 20 hours of reading outside of my class (2 hours each week). For the first 2 marking periods I check this during conferences, but by the 3rd marking period the responsibility is theirs to record the reading they do. Mid-marking period and at the end of the marking period I use the information from the clipboard to score the students based on meeting the required reading time, conversation logs, and overall performance in independent reading. Phew! Now that I write it all out it seems like a lot! But, for years I felt like I was doing all the work and finally realized (in the words of Cris Tovani) school is not a place where young people go to watch old people work!!! >>> "Lucinda Marcello" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2/25/2008 6:02 PM >>> Jaime When you conference with them, what format do you follow and how do you score their effort? We have seven book reports required for 7th grade and the grading is a challenge. I was wondering if we could make it more effective & authentic without so much paper. Thanks. Lucinda ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jaime Mendelis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "MT" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Lit Site" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 9:05 AM Subject: Re: [LIT] Book reports back in style? >I require 20 hours of reading outside of my class each marking period. >During designated "independent reading time" (SSR) I conference with >students. I find that this gives me the same information I would designate >to a book report, and gives me a much more authentic look at the student as >a reader. It helps kids talk about books in a way that readers really talk >about books. It also helps me look at my struggling readers to see if they >are choosing books that are appropriate for their level, and understanding >what they are reading. Plus, it alleviates all that paperwork!! :) > >>>> TLP <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2/24/2008 9:16 PM >>> > Do you require book logs and book reports on independent reading? Do > you require genre focus on independent reading. Pros? Cons? > > After eliminating the book report, suggesting, but not requiring > genres, ( especially for my struggling readers who are whipping > through Alex Rider, The Bluford and Maximum Ride series) and having > book talks replace the book report, my kids are clamoring for a good > old book report project. I know they read (cause they do it with me!) > but when will I learn that no one way is the best way! --Thus the > Face-Book report ( far from old fashioned but still reporting the > basics from a book..just in a unique way) > Tena > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > 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: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.0/1296 - Release Date: 2/24/2008 > 12:19 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 _______________________________________________ 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
