tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post8023130531498187685..comments2024-03-23T02:14:07.785-04:00Comments on The Dream Teacher: Reading Rocks!Cindi Rigsbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05421258393568987852noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post-14492875178130546392008-11-03T17:02:00.000-05:002008-11-03T17:02:00.000-05:00I have never agreed with the practice of rating bo...I have never agreed with the practice of rating books or assigning a grade level or level of difficulty to them that the students are aware of. I don't mind teachers having an indication of the levels of books they use, but no child should have to choose a book based on their own reading ability.<BR/><BR/>I watched my nephew choose books that were way too difficult for him so that he could earn more "points" in his middle school reading program. That was around the same time that he began to hate reading.<BR/><BR/>I think students should be able to read anything...picture books if they like or they can even make the choice to work really hard at something that's too difficult...as long as it's in addition to what they have to do for class. For the silent classroom reading, I really like to see them reading at a comfort level and gradually building vocabulary and comprehension.<BR/><BR/>And yes, if there is a book that really "calls" to them, they should not be forbidden to read it. I also believe they should be allowed to read ANYTHING - sports magazines or the cereal box - as long as they're reading.Cindi Rigsbeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05421258393568987852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post-10934940916005652432008-11-03T13:04:00.000-05:002008-11-03T13:04:00.000-05:00We have a school district in our area that has all...We have a school district in our area that has all books in the library rated. The students take a reading test each week, and are only allowed to check out books in their "reading level". I have always been against that, since I feel like kids should be allowed to check out books they want, whether they be too hard or too easy, it should be their choice. A freedom to choose that is so seldom offered in their lives today. <BR/><BR/> Some of the kids want to pick harder books and have parents or older siblings read to them. Some like to pick out easier books for the nostalgia value, or to reinforce their confidence, or to read to a younger sibling. Some want to pick out a harder book because it looks interesting to them. If they books they choose aren't rated within their level, they must put them back and find something else.<BR/><BR/> I am wondering what you think about this. It seems to fit in well with your how many unknown words on a page that you mentioned. Don't you think that if a student finds a book that really calls to them, they will work harder to read it and it will improve their skills? Or that reading an easier book, as long as they are reading, is more important than not reading at all?<BR/><BR/> I am curious about your view on this practice.Mrs. Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14088739114009642189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post-57725502550902251632008-11-01T17:36:00.000-04:002008-11-01T17:36:00.000-04:00Wow! You are truly a dream teacher. Thanks for the...Wow! You are truly a dream teacher. Thanks for the inspiration!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com