My kids had a sub in library this week. The books they were proudly parading on their way out of the library gave it away. About a third of them had checked out chapter books, and their faces exuded such pride and joy as they made sure I noticed each book. (This wouldn't have been the case if our librarian had been around, which I can understand why.) This was followed by miscellaneous chapter books appearing from home as well. For the rest of the week, those books became like pets. The kids took them everywhere and even clung to them in situations when they should have been doing something else. When not within their grasps, the books were often found sitting in a place of honor on tops of name tags but picked up at every possible moment. If for some reason they were in a backpack or cubby, they didn't remain there long. "Can I go get my library book?" The kids wanted them close. I often found the readers tucked away in corners, sitting on pillows, laying under tables with their noses in those books, because that's what we do if a task is finished early. We don't do activities saved for early finishers. We read.
Wouldn't it be cool if my kids were actually reading and fully comprehending those chapter books? I'm no fool. I knew fully well the majority of them weren't able to handle the complexity of the texts they were cherishing. I believe that lots of easy reading makes reading easy and repeated exposure to difficult texts makes for frustration. That's why during our daily Read to Self time, the chapter books were left abandoned on name tags while the kids read books from their baskets. Yet, I felt like the barrage of chapter books this week was worth rejoicing about. Especially at the beginning of the year when I highlight habits of readers, I repeatedly say, "Readers read every day they need to breathe." I say it so much, my kids can finish the thought for me. These chapter books were a small token of proof that my kids are catching on to how readers think and act and a reminder of how much more deliberate and purposeful I need to be about teaching them that readers simply cannot live without their books. They're up there with eating, sleeping, and breathing.
Tammy, I loved your post! Having taught first grade I can remember the need to read CHAPTER BOOKS! Melissa
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thank you. Yes my week was filled with that need. :)
DeleteI remember the feeling I got when I read my first chapter book. I know it was to challenging for me, but it really motivated me to become a reader.
ReplyDeleteTara
The Math Maniac
Tara, and there's another point I can deliberately teach - don't give up if there's a book that you really want to read but it's a little hard.
Delete"We don't do activities saved for early finishers. We read." YES!
ReplyDeleteYou continue to inspire me...I wish we taught together!
Chrissy, yes that would be cool to teach together. Any plans to move to Idaho? :)
DeleteMy daughter was a VERY late reader (she probably had an undiagnosed learning disability). In 2nd grade all of her friends were reading chapter books. Her teacher (truly an angel in my book) found an old "reader." It was a thick book with lots of "chapters" (actually short, more easily read stories). Kiera carried that book everywhere! She loved looking like a reader and I know it helped her with the motivation she needed to work on reading.
ReplyDeleteLyn, Our kids need opportunities to look like readers and act like readers even before they really are. Thank you for sharing that.
DeleteThis post made me smile and smile. This happens regularly in my room. I feel kind of badly when I make someone do the five finger test with 39 Clues and they can't read the very first 5 words. They do love them with desperation though and that reflects that we are doing something right. Books are good.
ReplyDeletePS I just realized I posted with my teacher google account. It's me, Kimberley :)
DeleteKimberley, it would be great if we could let them hang out with these books all the time, huh? They have some fun goals to work towards though.
DeleteI have seen that same thing- students so in love with "reading" chapter books. They so look forward to that! I love that you allowed them to have their joy of chapter books, but also made sure they were actually reading books that were just right for them when it came time to get down to business. :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, yep "reading" is exactly what they do with those chapter books. :)
DeleteMy early finishers read too. Unfortunately I have quite a few that love reading so much they rush through everything else...It could be worse!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Jenny, yes not a bad problem to have I suppose. :)
DeleteLove it! My kids are always borrowing chapter books too. They swear their parents are reading them to them. I hope so:). We also read when were finished early...though sometimes I'll throw puzzles into the mix cause I think they're super for your brain.
ReplyDeleteBarb, puzzles are great for the brain. I don't thinks kids do puzzles as much as they used to.
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