Still playing catch-up (slowly, but surely!), but I’m back with a few more thoughts on Reading in the Wild and I’ve updated the freebie pack!
We spend a LOT of time at the beginning of the year talking about how to choose just-right books and helping the kids become familiar with the way our library is set up – more on that in my next post! At the beginning of 3rd grade, most of my kiddos are excited to see baskets upon baskets of chapter books. However, that doesn’t always mean that those are books they’re ready to read. But considering their reading has probably been minimal over the summer I don’t fight it.
Within a week of building reading stamina, they realize they need to be more careful when they are choosing books for their book tote. In fact, most of my reading conference conversation in those first few days and weeks are all about why the books in their totes aren’t working. And I’m okay with that.
One of the things I do to support kids who may not be ready for third grade texts is to save space in our group meeting area for a read-aloud display.
Anytime we read a book together, it goes to live on the read aloud shelf for at least a month. This gives everyone time to pick it up and read it. Struggling readers are able to navigate the text a little easier because they are familiar with the story. These are also great texts for students to read with a buddy.
TRUTH!
I hope this is a “given” for any classroom teacher. I have new books that I try out every year, but I also have tried and true books that I LOVE to read with my kids no matter what. I really struggle to “sell” books to my kids that I don’t enjoy.
In a school that celebrates a Book of the Month each month, I’ve inevitably come across some titles I didn’t love. However, some of my best classroom conversations have happened after those read-alouds when I ask the kids for their feedback. I love to see how animated they get about whether or not the book was a good pick for our school. ๐
I thought a fun follow-up chart for those discussion would be post-it votes on a chart that we could display outside of the room. I would want the kids to do more than just vote with a thumbs up or thumbs down beneath the book title. Having them defend their opinion, whether it’s with a partner or on their own, could be an excellent way to tie in writing and point-of-view standards!
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Amie H says
Love the read aloud book shelf! I have been wanting to add one to my read aloud area as well. Great for struggling readers to be able to reread a familiar text. Where did you get yours?
Amie H
Trekking Through Third Grade
Nancy Ferreira says
Thanks for the great freebie!