Let me back up!

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Let me back up!
By Julie

I hope I didn't mislead you in thinking that it was the ONLY thing that we were doing! You do need to do strategies and have discussions. I'll have lunch with the kids and we discuss the books they are reading independently
and relate them to whatever concept (ie characterization, plot, setting, etc.) we are currently discussing. As far as reading in their level. I have many kids who want to read out of their level and I let them. I'll either read it as a read aloud, or put it on tape. That's for their literacy groups. They can still quiz on it! I think the program has to be adapted to fit your students

needs. For example, instead of setting individual goals according to levels, we contract points. Then if they meet that goal, I'll give them challenges and reward extra reading time, lunch with the teacher, sitting at the teacher's desk, etc. I also set a classroom goal and we have root beer floats, a read in, or something that's rewarding to them. However, a co-worker next door implements his differently and he does not see the same success as I do. He sees more students like Elaine's grandchildren, which is so sad! That's not what the program is meant to be like.