Well, summer is behind us, and we're already nearly three weeks into the new school year. Students and I have been getting to know each other as well as reviewing some basics before we tackle our first class novel, The Tiger Rising. Currently, we're using the read aloud Schooled by Gordon Korman to get us going with reading strategies like connecting, predicting, questioning, and so on. We also recently set weekly reading goals (which we will revisit regularly).
One thing I ask your help with is encouraging your kids to read at home. In order to develop the "reading stamina" needed for high school and beyond, kids need to be able to sit awhile and just read, with the goal of reading for 10, 20, or 30 or minutes at a time. I've been sharing book talks with each class, hoping that some of the books I plug will pull in a reader or two. (Soon students will help with that!) We do have independent reading time during class; however, students need to keep and/or start a reading routine at home as well. Ask your child what he/she is reading; ask them why they chose the book or how the book is going for them. Doing so will definitely support the kids in their reading and learning goals.
Check out this Scholastic article about encouraging middle school readers: 17 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Turning the Pages.
I look forward to a terrific year!
One thing I ask your help with is encouraging your kids to read at home. In order to develop the "reading stamina" needed for high school and beyond, kids need to be able to sit awhile and just read, with the goal of reading for 10, 20, or 30 or minutes at a time. I've been sharing book talks with each class, hoping that some of the books I plug will pull in a reader or two. (Soon students will help with that!) We do have independent reading time during class; however, students need to keep and/or start a reading routine at home as well. Ask your child what he/she is reading; ask them why they chose the book or how the book is going for them. Doing so will definitely support the kids in their reading and learning goals.
Check out this Scholastic article about encouraging middle school readers: 17 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Turning the Pages.
I look forward to a terrific year!