Heading into summer, I question whether I created first graders who can read or first graders who do read. During the school year, for the most part they seem like students who do read. They can sit by themselves with amazing stamina and read for over 30 minutes. They choose to read to others when given the chance. They automatically grab books when finished with something early. They know how often readers read - every day they need to breathe. But what happens when they're not within my grasp?
How many will willingly read this summer on their own?
How many will read only because someone tells them to?
How many won't even think to pick up a book?
Of course, with first graders, some of what takes place over the summer is dependent on the resources in their house and the adults they live with. Yet, I think I can always do a better job of selling books and the rewards of being a reader so that I create more students who read into the summer and beyond than students who can but don't.
Knowing you, you've inspired them to keep on reading!!
ReplyDeleteOn the last day, one of our teachers actually gives her students pre-addressed post cards to send to her once they've finished their list of ten books read. When she receives it, she writes back and sends them a summer certificate. It's a cool incentive, offering up summertime mail, the old-fashioned way, to encourage literacy.
Barbara
Barbara, I sure do hope I've inspired them. Thank you for sharing your colleague's idea. :)
DeleteYou know how much I like Richard Allington! I struggle with this same concept too. It is my job to teach them to read, but I must balance that with instilling a LOVE for reading at the same time. I hope our students will read this summer. :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, I hope our students read this summer as well as the rest of their lives.
DeleteI feel the same way Tammy!
ReplyDeleteI send home summer reading logs along with a few new books that I bought with my bonus points from Scholastic. The kids will keep track and sticker days that they read and if they bring their reading logs back in August signed and filled, I give them a certificate and a new free chapter book to keep reading!
I will forward you the link where I found the freebie logs!
Julie
Julie, thank you for sharing how you encourage reading through the summer.
DeleteI like your idea of selling books so they want to read! When I was a kid, my mom had to limit how much I read during the summer - I enjoyed reading so much, and I loved to zip through books. I want that for my students!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another "thinking" post! Sara
Sara, I want that for mine too. What a great problem that would be for parents!
DeleteHopefully all the "can" readers will become "do" readers as they get a little older. That's what happened with our youngest son.
ReplyDeleteI love Barbara's friend's idea, too!
Thanks for the post, Tammy:)
Barb, it's good to know it worked for your son. No doubt it might work that way for some of mine.
DeleteI struggle with how to get my students interacting with books all summer long. I don't want to make it a chore. I want it to be a natural choice. I love to give extrinsic rewards, but I want them to seek out the intrinsic value of a good book! Thanks for your sayings!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Owl Things First
Jenny, yep that's exactly what I'm talking about. I so want the to choose to read because they want to and love it so much.
DeleteMy kindergartners really want to keep in touch over the summer; I told them that I would send an email each week, containing the title of a new book (with library link), a funtastic science-based video clip, and a new app review (most have iPads or Kindles at home). Even if nothing is acted on, at least I will keep learning in the sight line of their parents!
ReplyDelete--Yes, I am aware that my emails may go straight to the Trash folder :-(-- But I'm determined to follow through on a plan that the children created!
Have a great weekend, Tammy!
Chrissy, I like how you're staying in touch with your little ones and their parents too. :)
DeleteGreat post Tammy! I hope I am doing that as well. That is one of my goals for next year....is to promote more of the books in our Reading Corner!
ReplyDeleteRenee, promoting books is always a great goal, huh?
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