I am a BLOG STALKER!
I admit it.
I am ALWAYS trying to find the BEST, FASTEST, & EASIEST ways
to make my classroom run smoother & more effective while being
academically successful.
I want my students to continue to practice their reading & writing skills and strategies
AT HOME!
BUT..What does Read at HOME really look like?
Aren’t we ALL?
So each year I try to “change” a few things for the better.
NO THROWING THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER!
( For YOU youngin’s… Don’t get rid of the good stuff while trying NEW stuff! )
So here is something “NEW” ( or New to ME ) that I am doing this year!
I am NOT ( Ugh…),
NOT
choosing the Student’s TAKE HOME BOOKS each week.
( Let it go! Let it go!)
I LET THEM!
The power is in the CHOICE.
I thought if I chose reading books that were ON their reading level
THEY would MAGICALLY fall in LOVE with READING!
NOT!
I have RAH ( Read AT Home ) envelopes…
Purchased at REALLY GREAT STUFF
BUT ANY envelope will do!
Each WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY they bring their RAH folder back.
I have them choose 2 books…YES…2 books to put in their folder.
( I place a pile 20 or so, of books at each level …
*disclaimer…right now I have 5 Guided Reading groups..I group their
PILES of books by the Guided Reading group level…
So they really are taking home books at THEIR reading level.
Just a little teacher “nudge” in the right direction!
They choose two books, put them in their envelopes, and put them in their cubbies.
They keep them for 2 nights..hence bringing them back WED. & FRI.
We change them for two NEW books … and here we go again!
Some nights I add a READING RESPONSE page to their homework.
USE ONE OF YOUR RAH BOOKS!
( Your choice!)
You can get my READING RESPONSE Packet HERE
Some nights I have them do a page or two from my
Book Reports.
Accountability?
I do have a paper…lined…for parents to sign each night.
DO ALL OF THEM SIGN IT?
NO!
If YOU take a horse to water…Can you FORCE it to drink it?
NO!
Let it go! Let it go!
So then what?
If you have a parent who won’t support reading at home…
READ, READ, READ at school.
YOU may be the ONLY adult who reads with “THAT CHILD”..
We ALL have “that child”.
Don’t fight it!
Don’t PUNISH the child.
IF he/she could read it BY THEMSELVES…..THEY WOULD!
They can’t.
So
Let it go! Let it go!
BUT…
I do REWARD those who make the continued effort to read at home
EVERY NIGHT!
When they bring their envelopes back, I check the paper.
IF the parent HAS NOT SIGNED…I highlight in RED that date.
At the end of the MONTH,
I give a reward (and a SPECIAL BRAG TAG ) to those who have read
EVERY NIGHT!
I know…NOT fair for “that child”
Fair is NOT Always EQUAL!
I want my kiddos who
DO THE WORK
to know…
I NOTICE!
And so my friends…
I keep stalking.
LOTS of great ideas out there in
BLOGGY LAND.
And PINTEREST LAND.
AND INSTAGRAM LAND.
If you need some ideas..
Check out MY PINTEREST BOARDS.
Happy Reading my Friends!
