GROWING TULIPS AND OTHER READERS

For most of the year, third-grader Haylee had flitted around the reading room, skittish, looking up from her book every few seconds. She read as if a wildfire threatened the east wall of the classroom, looking up every few seconds as if checking to see if danger had broken through. She read as if she needed to know if now was the time to run.

Just-Right Reading Just-Right Challenge

For some readers, the standard formula doesn't work. These readers need something different when deciding on just-right books.

MAKING SENSE OF COMPLEX SENTENCE STRUCTURES and UNUSUAL USES OF EVERYDAY VOCABULARY

“Sailing Through Sentences”

A crucial area of reading skill - one that trips up many intermediate readers - is the complex sentence structures that they begin to encounter in fourth, fifth and sixth-grade level books.  

COMPREHENSION STRUGGLES: USING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

"Whirligigs in the Back Yard"

Some students struggle to utilize their own prior knowledge.

SETTING GOALS: KEEPING EYES ON THE PRIZE

When teaching struggling upper grade readers, having grade-level goals in mind at all times helps keep progress on track. 

DOES EVERYONE NEED TO READ?

“…I believe that books can save lives.  It’s as simple as that.”

-Michael Cart, “Books Make Life Easier” 

A teacher friend once asked me if I believe everyone needs to read.