Parents and Caregivers,
Today I handed out book suggestion lists, personalized for each student. Last week, each student completed an interest survey. Based on these surveys and on what I already know about them as a reader, I created a list of books that I think they may be interested in. Some of the books are directly related to topics they mentioned-- a lot of students like to read books about vampires!-- while other books are ones that will expand their literary horizons.
We are so fortunate here at Community School that loving to read is considered "cool," and that so many of our students include reading as a favorite pasttime. My goal, as a language arts teacher, is to encourage our readers to try new books (new authors, new genres, etc.) and to also build up those who either struggle to read or don't find reading pleasurable. To this end, I often read books, or chapters out loud to them, I hand out and go over in detail the Scholastic book order forms and I give the students ample time to share what they are currently reading with their peers. My hope is that by the time they enter Seminar, they are excited about books.
Two reading specialists I often look to are Esme Codell and Donalyn Miller. Please check out their blogs for more information.
As always, please get in touch if you have any ideas or suggestions, or even if you just want to share your favorite book!
-Katrina
Esme Codell
http://www.planetesme.com/
Donalyn Miller
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/book_whisperer/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1970104.Donalyn_Miller/blog
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