If Slugs Can Read...

I mentioned on Tuesday that some of the kids read How To Teach a Slug to Read by Susan Pearson. I wanted to share the ideas that one of the 4th graders came up with for reading at home!

We talked about deciding on a family reading time when him and his family can all gather together and read books together. I'm a mom with two kiddos and I know how busy both of them keep me but I read to my sons every night. It's a quiet part of my day that I look forward to. It might only be 10 or 15 minutes a night - or once a week - but spending time together reading and talking about books is one of the most important things a parent can do for their child. And, if slugs can teach their kiddos to read...shouldn't we be trying to, too?

How To Read To Your...

...3rd grader?

...4th grader?

...6th grader?

...7th grader?

...high schooler?

Believe it or not, parents should be reading with their children - or at least reading what their children are reading or talking to their children about reading - long after they leave kindergarten and first grade. Just because kids can read to themselves doesn't mean parents shouldn't be involved in their reading lives'.

Several students read this book with either Miss Brennan or I and then we brainstormed some ideas for what they would love when it comes to reading with their parents. Lots of kids said they would want to sit with their mom or dad on a nice, cozy spot to read together. Many talks about choosing a book together - and especially choosing a book that is interesting to them. One student thought it would be fun to act out a book after reading it and most wanted help sounding out words or figuring out what new words while reading.  

I encourage parents to try and find at least one night a week to sit down with your child or children (family reading fun!) and to read together, to listen to an audiobook together, or to simply talk about the books your child is reading. Parents should be reading role models for their children. Here are some of my favorite books to share:

For young children or lower elementary school kids I strongly recommend any of the books in the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. The text is simple, but the stories are fantastic. I dare you to read We Are In a Book and not crack a smile! Everyone of all ages will love this book!

Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom is the first in a great series that I have just started reading by Eric Wight. So far there are three Frankie Pickle books and he is so much fun. These books are chapter books with some graphic novel parts mixed in. He is super imaginative and so funny to read. You'll fly through these books, waiting to see what happens next to Frankie.

These next too books are great middle grade fiction by Tom Angleberger. If you have forgotten what it means to be in middle school - these books will bring you right back.  Origami Yoda is a little guy that Dwight has folded up. He carries him around on his finger and gives advice to kids. Tommy is trying to figure out if he can trust Yoda's advice by collecting stories of other kids' experiences with Origami Yoda.

Guess what? Students in U-46 will have a chance to attend an author visit with the author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back! It's just another reason to read these books! You'll be able to think of some questions for Mr. Angleberger and ask him when we meet with him!

For older students, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the first in a brilliant series that looks at what could happen if society doesn't reign in reality shows. Miss Brennan heard about this series from Nathan and is already onto the second book in the series and loving it. If you've read The Hunger Games, then I think you might like Divergent by Veronica Roth. It is also set in the future, actually a futuristic Chicago! Society has been divided into five factions. Kids can choose to stay in the faction they were born into or to move into another faction when they turn 16. I'm about halfway through and loving this book!

What other books do you love to read together? Do you have a favorite book to read aloud or that you remember loving when it was read aloud to you? 

Do you have a time when you read together? What is your goal for reading together or discussing reading this year? Please share!

Go Team Read!

What Are You Reading Good? (09/16/11)

We had such a spectacular week of reading! It was fun to see what kids are reading and to share our books. I'm so excited that kids are visiting the library and checking out the Team Read blog. Go Team Read!!!

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Team Read Blog Info!

Adrian was the first student to post a comment on the Team Read blog! He's really excited about Team Read! I hope you all are, too! Let's practice leaving a comment. Look under this post where it says "0 Comments". It might have a different number once people start commenting. Click there and then type your comment into the box on the page that opens up. Choose "Anonymous" and then press "Publish Your Comment" and you're done! It will send your comment to me and I have to approve it before it shows up on the blog.

Back to School 2011-2012!

Welcome back to school! I am excited to be starting a new school year. You may have noticed that the blog has a new look and a new name. Adrian, one of my fourth grade students, came up with the name Team Read. I love it. I love reading, I love sharing books, I love the idea of connecting through reading. We are all in this together. We are a team of readers!

This year I will continue to post slideshows of students and the books they have been reading on Fridays. Last Friday, I posted our first slideshow! The kids are already reading and excited to share their books! I love looking back at the books we have talked about through the week. I have a student teacher, Ms. Brennan, working with me for the first nine weeks of school so you'll see her in the Friday slideshows as well! She is from Illinois State University and loves to read, too!

When we met with the elementary students in the last two weeks, we read Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin with them. We love Pete and they love Pete! He's such a cool cat. We were singing and dancing along with Pete. You can visit the Pete the Cat site at the Harper Collins Children website to hear Pete's song!

Next, they'll be reading How to Teach a Slug to Read by Susan Pearson and developing some ideas to share with their parents about what they love about reading with their parents. Being read aloud to is one of the most important things for a child. Unlike flossing, reading together is actually a fun activity that also happens to be one of the best experiences in helping students find success in reading. I strongly believe that parents should read with their children all the way through high school. While reading to your child when he or she is young will look different than reading with your child when he or she is older, it's still worthwhile to continue your relationship as readers. As kids get older it's a great idea to read what they are reading and take time to talk about the book. One of my favorite parts of reading is being able to talk to others about books that I love...or sometimes books that I don't like. I usually learn something new!

I'd love to hear what kids think about Pete the Cat or other books they are reading! Please share! What do you love most about reading together? What do you do that works for you as a family?

It's not just about sharing the book, it's about sharing the experience together as readers. Go Team Read!

What Are You Reading Good? (09/09/11)

The weekly slideshows are back!
Check what we are reading in and out of school!

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Reader of the Month May 2011

Our Reader of the Month for May is Jodie!  Jodie is a 5th grader who loves to read.  She is super excited to be the Reader of the Month.  

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: What is your favorite book? Who would you recommend it to?  

Jodie: My favorite book is Chicken Soup for the Soul because it had fun stories.  I'd recommend it to my family and friends who are older than me.

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: Where do you like to read?  Can you describe your favorite reading spot?

Jodie: In my room, in my mom and dad's room, and with one of my dogs.  My favorite reading spot is in my room because it's comfy and peaceful and quiet!

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: When do you like to read?

Jodie: When it is daytime and nighttime because I read humor books in daytime and scary books at nighttime.

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: What are the last three books you have read?

Jodie: A Little Princess

Ramona and Her Father

 and Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: Do you prefer paperbacks or hardcover books?

Jodie: I'd prefer both because there are so many different books I like!

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: How do you choose a book?

Jodie: I look at the cover, the back and/or a friend told the story (recommended) to me.

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: Reading is...

Jodie: A strategy people use to learn new words and new ways to talk.  So there are reading levels for books.  It is 1-1000.  So my reading level is 600-800 (611-881).  So reading is good and you can recommend the books you've read.

Thanks for being our Reader of the Month Jodie!  I think it's great that you know your lexile level, like your classroom teacher has taught you.  I have always believed it's good to read a just-right book that you like to read.  I hope you find some fun books to read this summer!  Make sure you read what you like!

Since the school year is almost coming to a close, we'll no longer be doing reading rewards but I do hope you come back to school in the fall and can tell me all about the great reading you did this summer!  I can't wait to hear all about the books you read!  AND, I'm super excited to share books that I read with you!