Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Success

I am excited by the success we are having with the children choosing their own books to read. I have had 2 parents comment about how their children are reading, reading and reading (boys!!!) and discussing the progress of their story. They have chosen lengthier books and we decided it would be easier to write a 1-2 sentence summary after each chapter. They race to tell me each day what has happened in the story. They are eager to read each others book next. I am seeing a growing love of books - what more can I ask for, a teacher's dream.

2 comments:

  1. Wowee! A teacher's dream alright! What do they reckon is making the difference for them? Is it the way they have been given roles? Is it that they feel they are adding to the discussions, to the understandings of others? Is it that they now have greater or more refined choices?

    What is it that is making them more excited now than before the literacy cirlces began?

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  2. I think part of it is that they now have the tools to read the stories they are interested in. By doing a quick summary to their mum or me, they are checking understanding. They keep telling me some words are hard still, but have now worked out if it is a name they don't need to worry about what it means. They now know how to make a best guess to the meaning and check and move on. They love the fact they have chosen the book themselves and that it is longer. They feel like grown up readers.

    Of course, a good couple of questions I need to ask them.

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