MrsK's K-8 Books Worth Reading

my best-reads-for-k-8 shelf:
MrsK Books's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (best-reads-for-k-8 shelf)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Student Reading & Comics

Click the title for the full article

Do you know a student who is struggling to read? Visual stimuli might be the hook for these readers. Higher levels of thinking and tracking occurs with readers who are comic lovers. Who doesn't love a comic book? How many did you read when you were younger?

Consider using comics that first week of school......what a great reading incentive for "hooking" your new students in their reading for enjoyment. Later revisit a "Comic" unit during history and have them work in groups of three to retell a historical moment through comic-frame shots and captions.

Check out the suggested 26 "important" comics, show the students this bit of reading history during a comic introduction.

Enjoy your re-discovery,
MrsK

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Get "Caught" Reading

Just click the above title to go to the website

Did you know that there was a photo contest for readers "in-action"?

Check out this video of 2007 entries, use it to inspire reading with some "mood" music and you have just set the stage for your back-to-school "free" reading environment.

Caught Reading Photos

Enjoy,
MrsK

Monday, July 21, 2008

Engaging male reluctant readers with technology tools

Are you wondering how others are inspiring those reluctant male readers? In the article, "A+ ADVICE: Can technology re-Kindle boy's interests in reading? by Leanna Landsman (7/21/08) the debate about plugging reluctant readers into technology is proving some benefits, just click the above title to read the entire article. Landsman stated, "Taking a "cross-media" approach is important, Harvey says. "It teaches your sons that we learn from a range of sources and makes them more eager consumers of information." I have found this to be a promising factor from 21st Century learning experiences, using the technology beyond the classroom and offering the book as the "missing link" with the technology tool of choice creates an interest hook in which to engage otherwise uninterested readers.

The article offers a further study to check out, "The 2008 Kids & Family Reading Report, a survey of children ages 5 through 17, found that kids who go online to extend their reading experience — by going to author Web sites or connecting with other readers — are more likely to read for fun every day. For more on the report, go to:
http://www.scholastic.com/aboutscholastic/news/readingreport.htm

Enjoy these technology updates,
MrsK

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Reading & the Arts

Summer Planning for the Fall . . . . . . . . . .

Artstart is an organization that was designed to enhance reading skills through the use of the arts (theatre, puppets, music, dance, visual arts, etc). In the school district of Charlotte-Mecklenburg teachers meet with the art teachers over the summer to collaborate and learn instructional design options for integrating the arts into their reading lessons.

What a beautiful connection. Click the posting title for the home page and discover what other teachers are using. Not all education is driven for testing, making the difference includes balancing a reading program with creative opportunitites for active participation and engaging skill practice !

To view the lessons, either scroll down to the section entitled "Arts-Integrated Curriculum" and click the word "online". . . . . or click to enter the page from this site. Pick the year to review below, enjoy your discoveries:

2007-2008 Lesson plans

2005-2006 Lesson plans

Enjoy your fall planning,
MrsK



MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”


FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

2014

Traits of Writing: Inking Thoughts

Booked 4 Success: Inspired Learning