tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post2486052724010997986..comments2023-11-09T16:00:28.346-05:00Comments on Thinking of Teaching: The Book Whisperer- Chapter 2 Thoughts and Q&ABethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-60443745085045370512011-07-05T01:10:45.475-04:002011-07-05T01:10:45.475-04:00I read this book last summer, so I was excited to ...I read this book last summer, so I was excited to incorporate many of the ideas into my class this year. I teach grade 6/7 and some of the novels they choose can be quite lengthy, so I gave them a "30 Book Challenge". I gave them at least 20 - 30 minutes a day to read, and yet more than half of my students didn't reach the goal. I was almost disappointed until I found out that my students had read more than they had in any other year, and by the end of the year, all but 2 students considered themselves "avid readers". Can't wait until next year to try it again ...Runde's Roomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10131626283927713737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-88455525518338152212011-07-04T22:19:24.200-04:002011-07-04T22:19:24.200-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Janayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02255030091299082258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-25254572519699328502011-07-04T20:32:56.606-04:002011-07-04T20:32:56.606-04:00My question for Donalyn is:
I teach a first/secon...My question for Donalyn is:<br /><br />I teach a first/second grade multiage class. In your book, you talk a lot about making time for independent reading and also students taking advantage of down time to read. This makes complete sense in sixth grade, since I'm sure many of them are reading novels, but how could I adapt this for first and second graders? I just imagine a thirty-minute independent reading time with students getting up and switching out books constantly. The only thing I can think of is to have them start with a huge pile of books on their desks... Do you have any other ideas of how I can incorporate many of your ideas into primary grades? Thanks!<br /><br /><b><a href="http://msdraffkorn.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Magnificent Multiagers!</a></b>Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814613933358631096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-8691705340042627062011-07-04T19:55:59.757-04:002011-07-04T19:55:59.757-04:00Hi Donalyn! I have two questions that have me comp...Hi Donalyn! I have two questions that have me completely stumped. A dear friend's son is not interested in reading at all. She has modeled reading with him. She bought him books that he would be interested in. She went to visit a librarian for suggestions. Nothing has worked for several years. He still dislikes it. Any other suggestions for him? (I apologize if the answer is in your book. I am currently on chapter three with this book study.)<br /><br />Question #2- I know a child who reads aloud VERY slowly and sounds each letter out. He is in fifth grade. Yet, he scores very high on comprehension. Should his slow reading be a concern. Will he gradually speed up as he reads more and more?(Sometimes this is a problem when he has to take timed tests.)<br /><br />Thank you!Tamara L. Chilverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06600880473603729687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-25884994145121116752011-07-04T11:05:16.985-04:002011-07-04T11:05:16.985-04:00My question for Donalyn is:
I love the idea of a r...My question for Donalyn is:<br />I love the idea of a reader's notebook, how would I incorporate this for my first graders? I have a few ideas, but would love your take on this.<br /><br /><a href="%E2%80%9Dfaithfulinfirst.blogspot.com/%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow">Faithful in First</a>Janinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10953696469072686797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-54301019261730711742011-07-03T20:28:24.698-04:002011-07-03T20:28:24.698-04:00Hey- I am having trouble viewing the read along sc...Hey- I am having trouble viewing the read along schedule. Is there any way you could repost it or email it to me (katiecoleman916@gmail.com). Thanks!!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15105698381755736650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-11091472949320359902011-07-03T13:24:50.514-04:002011-07-03T13:24:50.514-04:00I'm so sorry for not hosting Chapter 2 yet on ...I'm so sorry for not hosting Chapter 2 yet on my blog. My sister just had her first baby, and I went home to meet him. I promise I will have the chapter up in the next day or 2. I hate that I haven't gotten to it yet. Sorry!<br /><br />Angelia<br />http://extraspecialteaching.blogspot.comAngeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523442396725058708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-64282994201463413162011-07-03T08:02:40.476-04:002011-07-03T08:02:40.476-04:00KatieViolet,
Thank you so much for your comment! T...KatieViolet,<br />Thank you so much for your comment! That makes me feel so much better about setting such a high goal for my students, especially since I also teach Grade 4.<br />BethBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-5201678052772912232011-07-02T12:10:57.182-04:002011-07-02T12:10:57.182-04:00I teach 4th grade and read the Book Whisperer last...I teach 4th grade and read the Book Whisperer last summer (however, I'm enjoying rereading it for the purposes of the discussion!) I have to say I too was shocked at the number 40 for the requirement of books but I was surprised at how many of my students rose to the occasion and far beyond! Although I did have some that did not make it to 40 books, just as Donalyn wrote, it set the bar high. Students that were not readers to begin with became readers because the expectation was there that they WOULD read. They read way more books than they would have had I not set the goal at 40.KatieViolethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07657092994219397110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-81086001807662084272011-07-01T15:44:43.015-04:002011-07-01T15:44:43.015-04:00Hello! I am enjoying reading along with everyone! ...Hello! I am enjoying reading along with everyone! It is always great to hear "new ideas". I answered your discussion questions on a blog post! I can't wait to read the rest! I am actually reading 2 things at once- a book for "fun" and then this book, which I think is fun too! :)<br /><br />Sarah<br /><a href="http://fantastic1stgr.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Fantatsic First Grade</a>Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15885931728395018984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-49909224154594705692011-07-01T14:04:45.382-04:002011-07-01T14:04:45.382-04:00Hi Donalyn,
I have not completed all of your amaz...Hi Donalyn,<br /> I have not completed all of your amazing book yet so forgive me if you address this question in later chapters. My system using a basal program that places students in ability level groups. It is a very skill based program but it does expose kids to many genres and types of texts each week. How would you suggest I encourage a love of reading with such a program? I read aloud of my kids all the time and talk about books I am reading but I worry that this program will squish any desire to read! Thanks for your time and your brillant book!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15105698381755736650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-53935895130006985042011-06-30T21:24:09.724-04:002011-06-30T21:24:09.724-04:00Hi Donalyn! Even if you don't have a chance to...Hi Donalyn! Even if you don't have a chance to answer this question, I want to say thanks for this opportunity (and thanks Beth!!).<br /><br />My question is regarding English Language Learners. I teach newcomer ELL students in 4th and 5th grade. My class uses interactive stories online, listens to books on iPods, and I read tons of books aloud (so they can comprehend and enjoy more age-appropriate books). It's the independent reading I worry about at times. Many are just learning to read in English, so it can sometimes be challenging to find high-interest books at their reading levels. Do you have any advice regarding students just learning to read in English? Thank you!<br />KristenKristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10502794638519071800noreply@blogger.com