reading

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Home : 2003 : August : 4

reading
By Katy

I call my "DEAR" time "SQUIRT" It stands for Sustained, quiet, indep. reading time. The kids love the name of it.

They also love the warm atmosphere: we have reading pillows and soft reading lights during SQUIRT. (I put
things like the lamps on a wishlist that went out to parents and I got a bunch of great funky lights) Children can spread out anywhere they want.
I usually have it for 15 minutes but as the year progresses, they beg for longer and cheer when they see SQUIRT on the schedule. I have a special winter reading celebration where children can change into their pajamas for the day (on a half

day) bring in a favorite stuffed animal, slippers, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate and we read all day. We have SQUIRT, buddy reading, a readaloud time, and a time where parents come in to share a book with their child.

During SQUIRT, children choose whatever books they want. I encourage them to choose books that are just right and/or books that have pictures that are really interesting that they can obtain information from, (rather than chapter books they can't read) but ultimately it's their choice. They read books I want them to read during book groups. They read more "just right" books during indep. reading time (when they aren't meeting in a group) where THEY CHOOSE books from leveled book pots. Their book pot will have different genres and authors but all at a level that's a pretty good match so they can't make a bad choice.

I had a great group last year and didn't have too many chatters during SQUIRT but for those that did: I just made it clear that it was non-negotiable that SQUIRT was a silent time to read on your own and if they couldn't find a spot where they could do some great reading, I would help them find one. I also took a few minutes afterwards to ask if anyone read anything wonderful they wanted to share or learned something new. Seeing some of the cool things others discovered while reading motivated those reluctant students. I also tried to share any of my fun reading experiences.
GOOD LUCK