This week marks the second week that students will show me their reading logs so that I can monitor whether or not they've met their weekly reading goals. These goals were set based on a formula that involves counting the number of pages they can comfortably read in 10 minutes while focusing on understanding what they read. Overall, goals were determined on students' reading for two hours throughout the week; some of this time occurs during school (perhaps during structured independent reading time or if students have extra time - e.g., following a quiz or after finishing an assignment). The rest of the time will occur outside of school. Students' main homework assignment for language arts is to be developing an at-home reading routine, starting with 10-15 minutes each night. As the year progresses, students' reading stamina should increase; they should be able to read, uninterrupted, for 20-30 minutes at home in one sitting, maybe even longer.
One of the most important things for encouraging an at home reading life is to get the right books into kids' hands. Since the start of the year, I have been delivering book talks about reads my students might be enticed by, and this week, students will begin sharing book talks with their peers. Often times, the books shared in these talks are then added to students' wish lists, and when they finish one book, they have an idea of what they want to read next. Another resource parents and students can use are the links on my "Reading" page, including ReadKiddoRead, The Stacks, Amazon books for middle schoolers, and Good Reads. These links provide some ideas about what's popular in young adult literature right now and may give kids some idea as to the next title they'd like to try.
So many books, so little time - but with our help, your kids will become insightful readers who know exactly what they like to read.
One of the most important things for encouraging an at home reading life is to get the right books into kids' hands. Since the start of the year, I have been delivering book talks about reads my students might be enticed by, and this week, students will begin sharing book talks with their peers. Often times, the books shared in these talks are then added to students' wish lists, and when they finish one book, they have an idea of what they want to read next. Another resource parents and students can use are the links on my "Reading" page, including ReadKiddoRead, The Stacks, Amazon books for middle schoolers, and Good Reads. These links provide some ideas about what's popular in young adult literature right now and may give kids some idea as to the next title they'd like to try.
So many books, so little time - but with our help, your kids will become insightful readers who know exactly what they like to read.