Reading By Children: Independent Reading, and Writing and Literature Circles

Preparing for Independent reading:

Since I have been an education major, in many of my classes it's required to complete observation hours. During my observation hours I have noticed many teachers classroom with their own Classroom library. From this chapter I have understood why having a classroom library can be very effective in the classroom. you can organize it by grade level, genre, topics or even by authors. It also prevents students not being able to find something to read during the hour. One technique I would take into consideration when having my own classroom is knowing my students literacy personalities. Its good to know what types of books your students like to enjoy and what types of books they don't enjoy. Finding out these little details about your students they will become motivated and engaged readers and writers for sure.

Student's Independent Reading:

Every child has a problem finding a book, even myself when I was younger and still now I do. One supportive technique I would use in my classroom is the "Goldilocks Strategy" by Ohlhausen and Jepson (1992) this technique was designed to help students find a book that is "just right" for them. Another technique I really enjoyed reading about is the "book talks". I cant remember ever having a book talk in class when I was younger. Having the students discuss books they have already read with their peers not only builds relationships in the classroom but connects them to each other by finding out that students among them enjoy reading similar or different books. book talks are mentioned as brief "teasers" that entice other readers to read a particular book being introduced.  Having a reading journal is another strategy I would use in my classroom it allows the students to write about the texts they have read. But the key to success with writing journals is to establish with the students the guidelines for journal entries.

Independent Writing:

"To learn to read is to learn to walk. To learn to write is to learn to rise." Jose Marti

Their are four major steps a teacher must consider when preparing for independent writing; Explore, Draft, Edit and Publish. When preparing writing in the classroom its very helpful to have all classroom materials ready for your future writers. Its also important to have enough supplies for all your students not just a few.One on One conferences I would use to discuss with a student by his/her self to help my student move forward in their writing.  Teachers can have a writing folder or writers notebook that has:
1. A list of topic ideas
2. A list of books that "spark" an idea
3. A list of action words, describing words, or other word choices
4. Writing rubrics, checklist, or guides

Defining Literature Discussion:

I found it very helpful to know that its very important when selecting books for literature circle time. That is should be based of the teacher knowledge of quality literature and of students literacy personalities, cultures, reading strengths and needs, independent reading levels and cross-curricular goals.
Forming discussion groups can be heterogeneous with more than five or six students. the students decide on a book and once they have chosen a book an initial meeting is helped with the teacher for further assistance. Their are four ways a teacher can encourage productive discussions:
1. Building community and ensuring active involvement
2. Model discursive skills
3. Model active listening
4. facilitate deeper conversations

Links I would use in my classroom that are very helpful to an engaging reading, writing classroom are:
http://wblrd.sk.ca/~bestpractice/reader/process.html
http://www.readingrockets.org/webcast/1005
http://www.litcircles.org
http://www.learner.org

Modern Fantasy

The link below is a discussion between a teacher and a student about how Harry Potter is considered Modern Fantasy. Modern Fantasy is a genre of books with its roots in folktales  legends, and myths, fantasy takes us beyond the world as we know it, defying the natural laws of physics, to a world where animals can talk, people can perform magic, and other worlds exist.

Modern fantasy can be broken into two different categories which are low and high modern Fantasy. Stories that are considered low fantasy take place in the real world but magical elements of fantasy make them impossible such as books titled Charlotte's Web and The tale of Peter Rabbit.  High Fantasy takes the information and experiences from the real world and projects them into an "other world". Books that are considered high fantasy are: The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, The Wonderful Wizard Of OZ and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

There are so many opportunities for readers in today's classroom to respond to Modern Fantasy in different curriculum areas such as History, science and language arts.

One of the books I would use in my classroom that show excellent Modern Fantasy is "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon". I would order a full set of books and give each one of my students a book to read for a daily homework reading assignment. After completing each night of reading the students would then record in a journal about what they were picturing while reading.  The students would keep this information in a reading log and once they have completed the book they would turn that reading log into me for a grade.

Modern Fantasy Video

 http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6427153/modern-fantasy

Fantasy read a longs I would use in my classroom are:

1. Arthur series
2. Frog and Toad
3. Clifford the big red dog
4.Magic Tree House
5.Little Bear

Historical Fiction

As a future teacher I have to say historical fiction provides students in today’s class with historical truths. Historical fiction does more than give information to the reader, but it connects the reader to that particular time error. “Historical fiction helps children realize they are not just outsiders looking in on great historical events; it helps them appreciate that everyone plays a role in shaping history (Pg. 209)”. When looking into historical fiction books past and future authors have written offers so much to the students in our classroom. For instance it conveys a sense of life as it was lived, happens to ordinary people, broadens perspectives and helps children understand that the present and future are linked to actions of the past.

One approach I would use when introducing historical fiction to a group of students would be to start off with a Read aloud story. Starting off with a read aloud allows the students to focus on the message the writer is making and how the author comes up with such important information. Some of the stories recommended in the text were Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad, Follow the Drinking Gourd, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, Liberty Street and Show Way. Depending on the age level of students I am working with accommodations would be made to fit their particular learning needs/style. After reading a book together as a class I would hold a book discussion, having these types of conversations about historical fiction provides an avenue for deep comprehension of text.

Historical fiction can be used all across the curriculum border in areas such as Math, Art, Music, Science and History of course.  ALL of these curricular aims are shaped form historical fiction. For instance history can be taught in art with having the students learn about famous Artist and what contributions they have made to American history. Also with Language arts; having the students learn about the lives of famous authors who are also brought to life in several historical fiction books.

bookgirl3.tripod.com/historicalfiction.html