Did you know that the latest research tells us that kids need one hour of reading per day to make gains? We strive to help kids grow as readers using the following methods.
How we teach reading
Reading notebooks for kids to record their reading progress and deep thinking about their books. Some of the topics we ask them to think and write about include why the author included certain characters or details, what motivates characters to act the way they do, how setting affects the mood of a story, how authors help us to visualize scenes, and determining the theme or lesson of a book.
Matching kids to books that are just right for them. Students were given the Scholastic Reading Inventory the third week of school so that we know their individual reading level.
Setting class goals and individual goals for reading. As a class, we are each striving to read 40 books this school year. This equates to about a book a week. We know that some books take much longer than others. However, since students will be reading a variety of genres and lengths (some nonfiction books are well under 100 pages), we feels this goal is attainable for everyone.
Pairing students with a "book buddy" so they have someone to book shop with, share the great and frustrating parts of their books, and learn how to have quality academic peer conversations.
One-on-one reading conferences with kids to check comprehension, fluency, teach reading strategies, and monitor overall reading progress
Guided reading groups for kids who are below grade level in reading
Mini-lessons that teach important reading skills and help kids know what to do when meaning breaks down.