Poetry, Plays, and Picture Books

I try to expose my students to different kinds of writing formats.  I share a variety of texts that I read from week to week.  Sometimes I'm reading a novel, sometimes I'm reading a graphic novel.  I listen to books on CD and I read book on my Nook Color.  I have been showing them how text is presented in many different ways.  

Lately we've had fun reading poems by Shel Silverstein.  He has been my favorite poet since I first read his poems in 2nd grade.  We read poems like "Jimmy the Jet and His TV Set" and "Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out".  We even listened to Shel Silverstein himself read the poems which was a lot more interesting and fun than the way we read them.  

It's important for kids to realize the different kinds of writing formats and to be able to recognize them.  This is different from deciding what genre a book fits into, this is all about recognizing the way the author/publisher chose to represent the text.  

If you child can come to school and tell me who is my favorite poet, he or she will earn one sticker towards a sticker reward.  

Retelling and Rereading

My students and I are often talking about being good readers.  I expect them to be reading at home and to be bringing their book when they meet with me.  I love to hear about what they are reading...I usually write down all the new books I hear about from my students!  We have talked about how important it is to be a good reader when reading at home.  One thing students have to do when they are reading independently is to think about their understanding as they read.  It is important for them to stop and think about what they have read.  If they can retell what they have read and feel that they understand the story, then it's okay to go on reading.  If they can't retell what they have read and aren't sure they understand the story, then it's important to reread. 

Being able to retell is a great way to check to see if you understand what you have read.  When I ask students to retell for me, I ask them to include story elements from the book they read.  The story elements are the different parts of the story:

Character - who is in the story?

Setting - where is the character and when?

Plot - what is the characters problem 

and does he or she solve it?

Good readers are able to identify all of these parts of a story.  Usually, I ask students to retell by telling me about these parts of a story based on what they read the night before or the last chapter they read.

Here is an example!  I just started reading A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup and this is how I would retell what I have read so far:

Saffron, Barton, and Crandall live with their dad-Mr. Cheeseman-their dog, and Crandall's sock puppet Steve.  They are actually living in a house they like when their dad announces it's time to pack everything up and move.  Their dad and mom invented a very important machine before she died.  There are mean people who want the machine so Mr. Cheeseman and his family are always trying to escape from them.  This time, just as they are leaving the house, the bad guys are coming down the street.  Luckily, Mr. Cheeseman invented fancy headlights that freeze them in time so they can get a way.

Can you find where I talk about the characters, the setting, the problem, and the solution?  I haven't read the whole book, I'm just telling you what I have read so far.  I'm excited to read more about their adventure as they try and stay away from these bad guys!  Being able to retell is one of the first steps in being a good reader.  This is a way for you to make sure you understand what you are reading.  

What do to if you don't feel like you can retell the story?  Then it's time to reread.  Good readers reread when they are confused.  If you reread and still don't feel like you understand, then you might want to talk to a parent or a teacher about the book and check again if it's a just-right book for you.  

If you can come to school and tell me about the three story elements, then you will receive one sticker towards a reading reward! 

January 2011 Reader of the Month

I am thrilled to post the first student Reader of the Month!  Last month, I posted my answers to the Reader of the Month questions.  This month I am happy to share my interview with Jeyanna.  Jeyanna is a 2nd grader who loves reading.  She shares the books she is reading with me and is reading more and more all the time!  I am very proud of her. 

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: What is your 

favorite book? 

Jeyanna: Not All Princesses 

Dress in Pink 

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

 Jeyanna: I like to read in my room.  My favorite reading spot is my comfortable bed.  

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

Jeyanna: I like to read after I finish my homework.

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

Jeyanna: The last three books I have read are 1. If I Had a Robot 2. Not All Princesses Dress in Pink 3. Keisha Ann Can!

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

Jeyanna: I prefer hardcover books.

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

Jeyanna: I choose a book by its cover, and also the pictures.

Mrs. Read-A-Lot: Reading is…

Jeyanna: ...exciting, fun, and some are funny.

I know I am interested in Not All Princesses Dress in Pink!  It sounds like a lot of fun and I am going to add it to my to-be-read list!  Thanks, Jeyanna!

If you come to school and can tell me what Jeyanna's favorite book is you will earn one sticker toward a reading reward!

2011 Reading Goals!

Happy New Year to everyone!  I hope everyone had a relaxing break and is ready for 2011!  2010 was a great year for our family.  We were so excited for the new baby to be born.  I am looking forward to 2011 and seeing both of my boys grow even more.  The baby is almost sitting up on his own and has started to say, "da, da, da, da."

On another note, I am super ecstatic about all the reading we will be doing in 2011.  Over the break, I thought about all the books I read last year.  I keep a list of books I read every year.  In 2010, I read 124 books.  That is really exciting to me.  I include any chapter books or novels I read that are children's books, middle grade books, young adult books, and adult books.  Now I am thinking about what I want to read in 2011 and setting goals for my reading.

I love setting goals for myself.  I feel as if I have a purpose in what I am doing.  I also am a little competitive and I love seeing if I can challenge myself and accomplish my goals.  Here are my three reading goals for 2011:

*read more books than I did in 2010

*read more non-fiction picture books and novels

*record all books I read - including picture books

Did you have reading goals in 2010?  Did you reach them?  What are your reading goals for 2011?  If you come to school and can tell me how many books I have to read in 2011 to meet my goal of reading more than I did in 2010 then you will earn one sticker toward a reading reward!

What Are You Reading Good? (12/10/2010)

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Reader of the Month December 2010

Reader of the Month: Mrs. Vincent

In January, I will be posting an interview with a guest reader of the month!  I am excited to start interviewing students and to share their reading lives here on Mrs. Read-A-Lot!  To start off, I'll post my answers to the interview questions.  

What is your favorite book?  Who would you recommend it to?

     I have so many books that I love that it's hard to name just one all-time favorite book!  I'm going to pick Matilda by Roald Dahl.  Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors and I think many readers can enjoy his books.  I would recommend Matilda to any student who hasn't read it, but probably most to a student who is in at least 3rd grade, unless you are reading with an adult.  

Where do you like to read?  Can you describe your favorite reading spot?

     I love to read everywhere!  There isn't a place where I can't read.  I have a knack for being able to read in loud or distracting places.  My favorite reading spot is on a couch in my living room.  I like to curl my legs up under me and get comfortable with my book!

When do you like to read?

     I love to read all the time and I try to find time to read throughout the day.  I love reading at night though, after my kids are in bed and the house is quiet.  

What are the last three books you have read?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, 

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, 

Art & Max by David Wiesner

Do you prefer paperbacks or hardcover books?

     I used to love paperback books, but I've read a lot of library books lately that are hardcover and I think I prefer hardcover now!

How do you choose a book?

     I have lots of ways that I choose a book.  I talk to my students and friends about what they are reading.  One of my students told me about Jake Drake, Bully Buster by Andrew Clements and now I have it on my list of books to read!  I also read about books online and in magazines or the newspaper.  Also, when I am at the library, I look at the books on the shelves to see if a title or a book cover pops out at me.  If I find a book that looks interesting I will read the back of the book or the inside jacket flap and even the first page to decide if I want to read it.  

Reading is… 

     ...a way for me to learn about the world: people, places, things, feelings!

Check back in January to read about the featured reader of the month, Jeyanna!

What Are You Reading Good? (12/03/2010)

I'm so proud of my good readers!  It's exciting to hear what everyone is reading.  My students are reading some fun books that I love to hear about.  

I read Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper this week, about a girl who has cerebral palsy.  It's her story of  what it's like for her to have cerebral palsy and about what happens when she is finally able to express herself using a communication device.  

I also read The Aurora County All-Stars by Deborah Wiles.  This author also wrote Love, Ruby Lavender which I thought was great.  This book is about a group of kids who are excited to play a little league game until a 4th of July pageant almost keeps them from playing!

Finally, I read the first book, Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, in the Lunch Lady graphic novel series.  It is so much fun!  Can you imagine a spatula, fish sticks, and a lunch tray as secret agent gadgets?  Wait until you see how she puts her lunch lady skills to work!

The snowy weather is perfect for reading!  I'm going to read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  It's the last book in the Hunger Games series and I can't wait to see how it all ends!  Happy reading, kiddos!

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