Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Most Important Thing

Sometimes I feel like the Apostle Paul when he repeats himself.  "Again I say rejoice."  There are several things I've said so many times that I can begin a sentence and my children finish it.  For example, 


Me:  The most important thing a reader does is...
Kids:  ...understand.

We say this one a lot.  In fact, it's so worth saying and believing that we made a classroom book about it.  (I believe I saw this at a Regie Routman workshop.  She's my hero.)  I took pictures of all my kids reading to themselves.  Then I met with them individually and asked for three things that good readers do.  I supplied the first and last line on each page, but the middle three ideas belong to them.





I didn't think posting 26 pages of this book was worthy of my time or yours, but I wanted to include some of the other thoughts they came up with.  Here are a few.  So, what do good readers do?

They don't distract other people.
They go back and reread.
They don't spend their time looking around when they don't know a word.
They get a book lickity-split.
They look for chunks.
They use their pointer finger.
They can talk about the book.
They use their strategies.
They read fluently.
They go back and read again if they read like a robot.
They love to read.
They read like peanut butter and jelly.
They read the whole time.
They keep their nose in the book.
They go back if they make a mistake.
They don't guess.
They get stuck in a book.
They read every day they need to breathe.


(I think they've been listening.)

Pin It!

19 comments:

  1. Great post - I am your newest follower and i've tagged you in a game. Come on over to check it out! YOUR IT!

    Kaleigh's Klassroom

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ahh, that is such a great idea. The book is super cute.

    Ms. Smith
    Adventures of Ms. Smith

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for following Kaleigh and thanks Ms. Smith for leaving a little note!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this idea! Thank you for sharing it. Now I'm your newest follower.

    Dee
    First Impressions

    ReplyDelete
  5. i love this idea, too! thank you for your sweet comment on my blog...much appreciated :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's a book to show some parents! Love this idea! They've learned so much!

    Peace, Love and First Grade

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love that last comment especially: read every day they need to breathe! Sounds like these students have soaked up your teaching!!!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love "they read like peanut butter and jelly"! They are listening!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you Dee, Keri, Laura, Lori, Sandi, and Lisa for taking time to comment. I do so appreciate your thoughtful words.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is so great. I love hearing what the kids are thinking. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. We read "The Important Book" when we're learning about Main Idea, but I love this idea, too. We also do "The Most Important Thing About Being a Second Grader" to give to the first graders at the end of the year.

    Emily
    Second Grade Silliness 

    ReplyDelete
  12. Emily, Thanks for dropping by and sharing your comments!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Tammy!

    Thanks for joining my blog! Now I am your newest follower too!

    Tarra
    www.chalkboardchitchat.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love this! What a great way to build students' confidence and love for reading! A++++

    Michelle
    The 3AM Teacher
    http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment Michelle. It's all about falling in love with reading!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Just found your blog. Thanks for commenting on my blog. I'm your newest follower! Cute stuff.

    Petersons-Pad

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this web site, and your views
    are nice in support of new users.
    Here is my web page ; clear up acne fast

    ReplyDelete
  18. You could certainly see your expertise within the article you write.
    The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren't afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
    Here is my page : best acne treatment

    ReplyDelete