Comments for The Reading Zone

Comment on The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly by Semicolon » Texas Tuesday: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:07:57 +0000

[...] immersed in the sweeping changes that were happening at the dawn of the 20th century.” The Reading Zone: “It’s historical fiction that kids will actually enjoy! There are great little tidbits [...]

Comment on NaNoWriMo by Bree

Bree — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:19:20 +0000

Good Luck!!! How are you progressing? Keep your readers posted. We can be your cheerleaders. Rah Rah Rah

Comment on The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner by Now I wanna read it: other folks’ reviews « Shelf Elf: read, write, rave.

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:32:44 +0000

[...] Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner, reviewed by The Reading Zone. The lines from the review that got me: I think girls especially will connect with Gianna. She isn’t perfect but she is [...]

Comment on The Last Invisible Boy by Evan Kuhlman by Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:38:07 +0000

This sounds really unique! I like that it is not Diary of a wimpy kid. Thanks for the review.

Comment on Attention Middle School Teachers! by Cherie Saylor Garrett

Cherie Saylor Garrett — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:34:17 +0000

I have read aloud to 5th and now 6th graders for 22 years and feel it not only gives me teachable moments but really gets the kids reading books similar to it.
Today for instance, I introduced literary terms personification and hyperbole. I am reading Wednesday Wars to my 6th graders and they picked out the personification and hyperbole in the part I read. Unfortunately, I only have 45 minutes which computes to much less time after roll call etc.
As far as picking, I lean toward picking something the boys will like because if the boys like it so do the girls. Message is important and I do like to pick something that none of them have read. I also pick different genres to encourage them to read outside their comfort zones.

Comment on Attention Middle School Teachers! by jenucdavis

jenucdavis — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:11:08 +0000

I read every day to my students. Generally, I try to find books that they aren’t familiar with, and I use that opportunity to introduce them to a new author. I also like to find books that might have a sequel, so that my reluctant readers (who usually love the read-aloud books) will have a book to try for an independent reading book. A few books I’ve read in years past are:

The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman
Freak the Mighty by Rodrick Philbin
Code Orange by Caroline Cooney
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

I’m starting a new book next week, Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff. My kids love mysteries so I think it will be a winner with them.

Like above posters have said, I also use a ton of picture books to teach different strategies. I probably read 3-4 picture books a week between Reading and English.

Comment on Attention Middle School Teachers! by thereadingzone

thereadingzone — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:29:01 +0000

No, but I will be at NCTE!

Comment on Attention Middle School Teachers! by Joanie

Joanie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:25:25 +0000

I teach 6th grade English Language Arts at a middle school. I read-aloud almost daily to my students. I usually choose a book I “hear” about from other teachers on the Internet, and I read about the first 1/3 of the book. Then it goes on my shelf for the kids to borrow. I started this year with “Daniel X” by James Patterson. Before I finished the first 1/3, at least 5 of my students had purchased their own copies. Several kids have since read the book as well as it’s sequel.
It’s so nice to have these books to refer back to when we are talking about strategies or anything to do with reading or writing. I have since read part of “The Giver” and lately I’ve been reading some of Paul Jennings’ short stories. The kids really seem to enjoy the read-alouds, and they always remind me if I miss a day!

Comment on Attention Middle School Teachers! by Natalee

Natalee — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:15:09 +0000

I teach 7th & 8th grade and this is the second year that I’ve done read alouds. Last year I read Running Out of Time and the Shadow Children series to my 8th graders. They loved it. We really connected with each other and practiced a lot of reading skills (connections, predictions). I also use a lot of picture books to anchor lessons and units. The kids love it! If I was teaching high school I’d probably still do read aloud!
So why? To create community, to teach and practice writing and reading skills, and to introduce them to books I think they might like.
How do I choose books? I pick ones that I like that I think they might enjoy. I pick ones that will expose them to different genres, and ones that will go with things that we are studying. I also take recommendations from the students.

Chapter books I have read aloud this year:
7th Grade: The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner;
Schooled by Gordon Korman
8th Grade: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick; Blind Courage by Bill Irwin.

Comment on Attention Middle School Teachers! by Pam

Pam — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:02:55 +0000

Reading aloud allows me to share text that’s above my students’ reading abilities, model how to read poetry/difficult text, and share literature that ties in with what we’re learning (of which we may not have enough copies).