Heather, I teach third, yet I think you and I are on similar page in our thinking. Believe me, I have those fluent readers who read so prettily but don't understand the meaning of anything they have read. They long to pick up the same books that my above level readers are reading. I am never going to get them believing that they are readers if I put them in short texts that are not rich in language or ideas. I went to a summer seminar with a woman who did book clubs/literature circles with her first graders. She had a basket of books on their tables (chosen for their reading level and interest) and they were able to choose a book, read it with a small group, and then have a book discussion. I don't know how you do it with 1st graders but she did it and said it was wonderful.
Leslie I thought about what you said a lot, and I think you are right that most good readers are thinking about their reading. There are a few exception-- I do come across 1st graders who think the point of reading is being able to read the words, or read the longest chapter book. I am trying to think now, how I can get my 1st graders engaged in some good book discussion, something that doesn't seem forced and too guided. What grade do you teach? Heather _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
