Independent Reading ~ SSR
Your child will have time during class each day to read a self-selected book independently. In addition, they are asked to read twenty minutes five nights per week. You can tailor this to your schedule, but I encourage you to make this a part of your child's daily routine. Research shows that one of the best ways to increase word knowledge and reading comprehension is to read from a wide variety of sources.
Students should use Goldilocks' Rules to select "just right" books for independent reading. Books should not be too easy or too difficult in order for students to grow as readers. There are pages in the ELA binder to help with this.
An Independent Reading Book Requirement Log is provided in the binder for students to keep a record of what they have been reading each quarter. These pages will be collected at the end of each quarter for a grade. Students will type a reading response for each book in Google Classroom. The secret to being successful is avoiding procrastination. Many students find it helpful to take the book requirement list to the public library and select the books they would like to read. It is important for students to have books they have chosen and are interested in reading. I have personally purchased many books for my classroom library, but I don't have everything your child will need to complete this requirement. The public library offers a much wider selection. We will visit the middle school library every other week.
I believe middle school students should be empowered to as many book choices as possible, but you, as a parent, have complete control over the books your child selects for independent reading. I do not assign specific books for this assignment. We require specific genres each quarter, but the book within that genre is your child's choice. I encourage you to work with your child in selecting appropriate books.
During class, I will share books that I have in my classroom library to introduce students to books they may not be aware of within the required genres. In essence, I share similar information students will find on a book jacket to introduce the reader to the book. It will include a cliffhanger because I teach students to write cliffhanger endings to the summaries for the books they share during a book talk presentation. In this way we avoid spoiling the ending for those who have not yet read the book. In no way am I requiring a student to read a specific book, but my intent is to expose students to something that attracts their interest that they may otherwise have overlooked on the shelves.
Second Quarter Independent Reading Book Requirement:
Part #1: Due November 17, 2023
1. Fantasy Fiction
2. Nonfiction
Part #2: Due January 5, 2024
3. Nonfiction
4. Free Choice
Reminder: Avoid procrastination!
Type your responses and summaries on the template in Google Classroom under the heading "Independent Reading Book Requirement."
Fifth graders are not too old to have someone read to them. I encourage you to model good reading habits for them. They love it when you take an interest in what they are reading. Books that are a bit too challenging are great books to read with your child, teaching them new vocabulary along the way. You may also want to read a book silently together, pausing to discuss key points in the plot. Of course, the goal is for students to comprehend what is read silently but asking them to tell you about the book will help you know whether or not they are understanding what they read.
Reading aloud to younger relatives, friends, or even pets and stuffed animals is a great way to build oral reading fluency. While these books are not included on the reading log, they will help your child improve the monthly fluency score and improve in the use of expression.
Your child will have time during class each day to read a self-selected book independently. In addition, they are asked to read twenty minutes five nights per week. You can tailor this to your schedule, but I encourage you to make this a part of your child's daily routine. Research shows that one of the best ways to increase word knowledge and reading comprehension is to read from a wide variety of sources.
Students should use Goldilocks' Rules to select "just right" books for independent reading. Books should not be too easy or too difficult in order for students to grow as readers. There are pages in the ELA binder to help with this.
An Independent Reading Book Requirement Log is provided in the binder for students to keep a record of what they have been reading each quarter. These pages will be collected at the end of each quarter for a grade. Students will type a reading response for each book in Google Classroom. The secret to being successful is avoiding procrastination. Many students find it helpful to take the book requirement list to the public library and select the books they would like to read. It is important for students to have books they have chosen and are interested in reading. I have personally purchased many books for my classroom library, but I don't have everything your child will need to complete this requirement. The public library offers a much wider selection. We will visit the middle school library every other week.
I believe middle school students should be empowered to as many book choices as possible, but you, as a parent, have complete control over the books your child selects for independent reading. I do not assign specific books for this assignment. We require specific genres each quarter, but the book within that genre is your child's choice. I encourage you to work with your child in selecting appropriate books.
During class, I will share books that I have in my classroom library to introduce students to books they may not be aware of within the required genres. In essence, I share similar information students will find on a book jacket to introduce the reader to the book. It will include a cliffhanger because I teach students to write cliffhanger endings to the summaries for the books they share during a book talk presentation. In this way we avoid spoiling the ending for those who have not yet read the book. In no way am I requiring a student to read a specific book, but my intent is to expose students to something that attracts their interest that they may otherwise have overlooked on the shelves.
Second Quarter Independent Reading Book Requirement:
Part #1: Due November 17, 2023
1. Fantasy Fiction
2. Nonfiction
Part #2: Due January 5, 2024
3. Nonfiction
4. Free Choice
Reminder: Avoid procrastination!
Type your responses and summaries on the template in Google Classroom under the heading "Independent Reading Book Requirement."
Fifth graders are not too old to have someone read to them. I encourage you to model good reading habits for them. They love it when you take an interest in what they are reading. Books that are a bit too challenging are great books to read with your child, teaching them new vocabulary along the way. You may also want to read a book silently together, pausing to discuss key points in the plot. Of course, the goal is for students to comprehend what is read silently but asking them to tell you about the book will help you know whether or not they are understanding what they read.
Reading aloud to younger relatives, friends, or even pets and stuffed animals is a great way to build oral reading fluency. While these books are not included on the reading log, they will help your child improve the monthly fluency score and improve in the use of expression.