SOme Important Information

10-30-18
Dear Families,
This may be a bit long winded, but I promise it is a necessary communication for all my students and their important adults.
Many students have been neglectful of their home reading and filling out the Reading Log. Whether it’s an issue of a child that doesn’t want to read, a child that’s a struggling reader, or even one who has very little free time, reading at home is a necessary requirement and should be part of the homework routine.
There is no better way to become a stronger reader than to spend quality time, every day, with a good book. That is: a book that holds the interest of the reader, a book on or near the student’s independent level, and reading without distraction. I suggest that students not set a timer, record the start time, and commit to 25 or more pages (you should always read to the end of a chapter), then see how long it takes them to finish, and finally, record the end time.
25 pages should = about 25-30 minutes.
If your child reads without you asking them to do so, or they read without complaint, please send me an idea of what reading time looks like in your house. I will not use your name, but would love to be able to share ideas with families who are struggling to motivate their child or who have little time in their day to fit the reading in.
In middle school, the only way I could get my son to read was to model it by doing my own reading at the same time, or to read aloud to him, when he started a new book, so he’d be hooked in. With my daughter it was, “Put that book down; it’s after 10!” Both have waxed and waned through their school years and both struggled to find the right book occasionally. I left some of the challenges up to their teachers-that’s what they pay them for, right?!
Just to let you know, I’ve had lots of experience helping students choose books, but they usually get their best recommendations from siblings or peers.
With all this being stated, the most important aspect is that students are not prepared for class if they are not reading.
Now that we are nearing the end of the first term, students who are not reading at home will be asked to read during lunch in a quiet area in a supervised “pod” or classroom. They may even need alternate homework assignments. This is not truly a punishment, but instead, is a way for them to be well prepared for the hard work we do in class.
 
As always, if there are any questions, the best way to reach me is via email:
[email protected]
 
Thank you,
Amy