Students Need to Connect with Books
The Importance of Book Choices
Are you looking for great books for your children this year?
It is very important that your children be reading books that are "just right" for them.
An error rate of 1 in 20 words suggests an easy text, an error rate of 1 in 10 suggests an instructional level text and an error rate of greater than 1 in 10 suggests a hard text (Fountas & Pinnell, 1999).
If the book is too difficult, it will lead to frustration; too little of a challenge will lead to boredom (Routman, 2003). So the book needs to be “just right.” A just right book is one that provides a little bit of a challenge for the student. It should be a book that the student finds interesting and can be read with a small amount of assistance with the text. Spending time reading just right books during independent reading time will help students become stronger.
In the fall teachers will give students an assessment that tells you what level your child should be reading at. This can help you pick out books for your child. The librarian is a great resource as well. Below are a few places where you can search for books at the "just right" level for your child.
Scholastic Book Wizard
Leveled Book Database
Another really great resource is Mr. Schu Reads Blog. Mr. Schu reviews books and gives challenges on his blog. NPR also has their own NPR Children's Book List, which offers a great list if books. The Wayland Public Library has lists of Children Book Awards as well.
Lastly a great app for checking book levels is the Literacy Leveler. This app allows you to scan the barcode of books to check their levels. This could be a great tool when you take your child to the library or book store.
I will leave you with this thought. Although we want your kids to be reading at their "just right" level, enjoying reading is the most important thing in creating a life-long reader. If your children are interested in books above their level, let them listen to them. You can check out play aways or cds for your children to listen to. It is a great way to raise your child's vocabulary and comprehension levels.
If you need anything or have any questions feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Happy Fall!
Sarah
Are you looking for great books for your children this year?
It is very important that your children be reading books that are "just right" for them.
An error rate of 1 in 20 words suggests an easy text, an error rate of 1 in 10 suggests an instructional level text and an error rate of greater than 1 in 10 suggests a hard text (Fountas & Pinnell, 1999).
If the book is too difficult, it will lead to frustration; too little of a challenge will lead to boredom (Routman, 2003). So the book needs to be “just right.” A just right book is one that provides a little bit of a challenge for the student. It should be a book that the student finds interesting and can be read with a small amount of assistance with the text. Spending time reading just right books during independent reading time will help students become stronger.
In the fall teachers will give students an assessment that tells you what level your child should be reading at. This can help you pick out books for your child. The librarian is a great resource as well. Below are a few places where you can search for books at the "just right" level for your child.
Scholastic Book Wizard
Leveled Book Database
Another really great resource is Mr. Schu Reads Blog. Mr. Schu reviews books and gives challenges on his blog. NPR also has their own NPR Children's Book List, which offers a great list if books. The Wayland Public Library has lists of Children Book Awards as well.
Lastly a great app for checking book levels is the Literacy Leveler. This app allows you to scan the barcode of books to check their levels. This could be a great tool when you take your child to the library or book store.
I will leave you with this thought. Although we want your kids to be reading at their "just right" level, enjoying reading is the most important thing in creating a life-long reader. If your children are interested in books above their level, let them listen to them. You can check out play aways or cds for your children to listen to. It is a great way to raise your child's vocabulary and comprehension levels.
If you need anything or have any questions feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Happy Fall!
Sarah
https://www.slideshare.net/Donalynm/reading-list-25020570This sight has been created to give kids ideas for books. Donalyn Miller says that every child should have a list of books to read. You know how that is. When you have no new book, you decide not to read. Having a preexisting list is helpful in keeping our children reading.
Here is a link to Donalyn's Reading List
Here is a link to Donalyn's Reading List
https://www.slideshare.net/Donalynm/reading-list-25020570
This year I will share a list of read aloud happening in each classroom. This will allow you to see some authors chosen by each teacher to share with your students. Students may use these as a reference list for authors they may enjoy. They can also read these books again for the joy of reading. Many students like to read books again and again. This is wonderful. Every time they read the book, their understanding will grow.