Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: Verdi by Jane Cannon
Why we love this book:
Verdi is written by the creator of the beloved Stellaluna. Verdi learns the hard way that regardless of how you change and look on the outside, you’re always you on the inside, “I may be big and very green, but I’m still me!”
The pictures are fabulously green, bold and bright. Verdi is a wonderful read aloud or independent reading book for older children as the text is longer and the story is deeper than beginning picture books. More difficult picture books like Verdi introduce new vocabulary, develop more complex characters and present more intricate plots. Verdi is the perfect book to highlight this week as we are continuing the Components of a Balanced Reading Program with Independent Reading for older children.
Independent Reading for Older Children
Key Components to a Balanced Reading Program
Have you noticed that children want to read books that are too hard for them? One might think that students would want to “take the easy way out” and select books that are easy reads for them. But my experience is quite the opposite. Children don’t want to read “baby” books. They’re always pushing themselves ahead to read more challenging books. They want to read the books that the “big” kids read. Children are also drawn to nonfiction books which tend to be more challenging reads.
Guided Reading is the time to introduce challenging books; books that offer children opportunities to problem solve without loosing the meaning of the story. Guided Reading allows parents and teachers to guide children through the process of reading new and challenging text.
Independent Reading Goals:
- reading for enjoyment
- learning how to make good book choices
- reading to develop fluency
- Independent Reading is all about striking a balance
Reading for Enjoyment
- Miss Enigma is totally in love with Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo. We return it to the library and then she checks it out upon our next return. We’re talking true looooooove here!
- Nope, Miss Enigma cannot read this beginning chapter book. However, we’ve read it so many times that she knows the story by heart. The pictures guide the way.
- There’s a constant balance between reading for enjoyment and reading independently. It’s all about a good mix of books
- Bink & Gollie is a good transition book for those children wanting to read chapter books. The pictures and limited text make it an easier read for those just branching out into chapter books.
- Every night both of the children are allowed a quiet time at bedtime to read independently.
- This picture was just too darn cute to pass-up.
- Bink & Gollie spend many nights with Miss Enigma.
Teaching Children How to Make Good Book Choices
- Introduce Easy, Just Right and Challenge books
- Most children are not taught how to make good book choices. This is an important skill!
- You can find a step by step lesson in our detailed post: Teaching Children to Make Good Book Choices
- I first introduced MacGyver to Hank The Cowdog during Guided Reading.
- Upon finishing The Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, MacGyver was eager to read MORE!
- MacGyver is now reading The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog independently.
- He reads nightly and today he just kept reading and reading and reading, “I just want to finish TODAY!”If you knew the back story you’d know this is amazing!!!
Reading to Develop Fluency
- All children need time to read easy, familiar books that help them develop their reading fluency.
- Parents and teachers often push children away from easy books. Why?
- Imagine if everything you read was challenging! Would you enjoy reading?
- Children need the opportunity to feel confident. They need to feel like a “good” reader!
- When children read challenging material, they start and stop and start and stop. They need the opportunity to read fluently.
- During Independent Reading time children may choose to reread familiar books or books that have been read aloud to them.
Independent reading time is all about balance!
Life with Jeannine
We’re GIVING AWAY one hardcover copy of Verdi by Janell Cannon.
To enter this contest, just answer the following question in the comments section of this post.
Happy Easter! What will the Easter Bunny be stuffing in the Easter Baskets around you home this weekend? (Or just say “Hey.” We’re flexible around here.)
The Rules:
One entry per person, please.
No entries after 8:00 pm Central Time, Sunday, April 8, 2012
The winner must be a resident of The United States.
The winner will be selected at random and announced Monday, April 9, 2012. Check back to claim your prize. It might be you!
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