Respond to an issue raised by Routman in Reading Essentials chapter 5 (Classroom library) or chapter 6 and compare/contrast this issue in terms of other class readings and your field placement.
I love our classroom's library (first grade). It's provided an excellent model for me as a student teacher to see what goes on in a well-stocked library. Not only does my MT support struggling reader by having an expansive A,B and C level library (which are extremely hard to come by--it's very difficult to write a quality book in less than 20 words), she also has "light reading" scattered throughout.
Our system is that every other day, students get to bookshop. They get to choose three just right books from the leveled bins and three any sort of books. They place these in their book tubs on their desk, and during reading, we read only our just right books. During all other reading times, the students may read whichever book in the bin appeals to them, and when they go home, they take the book from their conferences home with them to read. I love this method because it truly supports Routman's theory that struggling readers must read books that appeal to them--but as educators, we also need to make sure they are getting the support and education they need in order to advance their reading and comprehension skills.
Looking through Routman's list of library evaluation questions, I am proud to say that I can mark off a resounding YES to all of them! That is pretty incredible, and it makes me very proud and pleased to be interning in a classroom that so obviously supports readers at all levels. My only concern is that it is going to take a LOT of my own money to continue buying quality books... but the return investment will certainly be worth it.
For a great blog on the Tovani reading for this week, check out my cohort mate's blog here, at Furious Fred's Musings. As usual, he injects his large personality and intellect into a great blog on "fake readers.
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I love our classroom's library (first grade). It's provided an excellent model for me as a student teacher to see what goes on in a well-stocked library. Not only does my MT support struggling reader by having an expansive A,B and C level library (which are extremely hard to come by--it's very difficult to write a quality book in less than 20 words), she also has "light reading" scattered throughout.
Our system is that every other day, students get to bookshop. They get to choose three just right books from the leveled bins and three any sort of books. They place these in their book tubs on their desk, and during reading, we read only our just right books. During all other reading times, the students may read whichever book in the bin appeals to them, and when they go home, they take the book from their conferences home with them to read. I love this method because it truly supports Routman's theory that struggling readers must read books that appeal to them--but as educators, we also need to make sure they are getting the support and education they need in order to advance their reading and comprehension skills.
Looking through Routman's list of library evaluation questions, I am proud to say that I can mark off a resounding YES to all of them! That is pretty incredible, and it makes me very proud and pleased to be interning in a classroom that so obviously supports readers at all levels. My only concern is that it is going to take a LOT of my own money to continue buying quality books... but the return investment will certainly be worth it.
For a great blog on the Tovani reading for this week, check out my cohort mate's blog here, at Furious Fred's Musings. As usual, he injects his large personality and intellect into a great blog on "fake readers.
