I like the phrase "emotional level" and think it could have broad
connotations that could be useful as we guide children through the
book-choosing process.
I have watched 2nd and 3rd grade students persistently struggle through
books far beyond their reading level, and I was fine with that. I don't
think everything always needs to be within one's "zone of proximal
development" or "reading level" or "one finger level" or any other
measure of appropriateness. I believe that sometimes it is through
tremendous struggle that we have breakthroughs. Now, if a child
*always* chose books way too hard, I would step in and help that child
find books of interest that are more accessible. But to deny a child
the opportunity to read, work on, look through, or even just hold a
book because some adult leveled it beyond that child's "reading level"
is just, in my personal opinion, not good educational practice.
After twenty years, and through thinking back, I've come to believe
that much of what is going on in schools today is just not necessary.
Sometimes we need to back off. That's my two cents.
Renee
On Jul 14, 2010, at 4:26 AM, judy fiene wrote:
I would never discourage a student from reading a book in which they
were
interested. The only time this would happen is if the book was not at
the
student's emotional level. Our goal as teachers is to find that "magic
book"
that will get them hooked for life. Usually, life long readers have
one. I
teach my preservice teachers (yes, I am one of those people) the 5
finger
test. I'm sure all of you know of that test, but I have a different
take on
the ending. One finger -- "easy book" -- good place to practice their
fluency. Two or three fingers up -- "just right" -- good place to
practice
decoding and comprehension strategies. More than five fingers up --
this is
their "challenge" book and they need a plan. They don't need to put it
down
-- just find a plan.....
"The ultimate goal of education must be to get each one out of his
isolated class, and into the one humanity."
~ Paul Goodman
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