Independent Reading

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Home : 2001 : December : 31

Independent Reading
By Elaine

Wendy,
You sound just like me -- a thousand questions!!!! We don't do book reports. I have not started doing reading according to GRW, so I don't have Independent Reading as they describe it. However, I plan to do it
their way for my new 4th graders next year.
Right now (with my 5th graders) we do individualized reading -- 20 pages a day at school during reading workshop and 20 minutes a night for homework. Our school operates on a 6-day rotation (days A - E) for specials, so I've divided my kids into 6 teams (A-Team, B-Team, etc.). They write a literature response (in the form of a letter) to

me on their day. (A-Team kids' responses due on A-Day, etc.) We worked all last year from a choice list for literature responses to help them develop this skill. Mainly what I want in a response is a BRIEF summary paragraph and a "what-you-were-thinking-as-you-were-reading" paragraph. In that paragraph I expect them to make connections, predictions, comparisons, etc. In 4th grade, I did not grade their responses, but in 5th, I feel I need to hold them accountable for at least the mechanics. I write a letter back to them.

With my 4th graders, I thought 20 pages was too much, but you have to know and do what's appropriate for you own students. I do expect my 5th graders to read 20 minutes each and every school night no matter what they read or didn't read in school that day. However, I do remind them that IF they did not get their 20 pages read at school, then take their book home to read during their 20-min. homework assignment.

I keep track of individualized books by using the blank calendar method I've described somewhere on these (maybe this) board. Remember, though, I am not talking about Independent Reading as described in the GRW book. What I am describing is the way we do and keep track of Individualized Reader's Workshop. I'll look forward to hearing what others do!

By the way, we call our planners, agendas, too!
Elaine