Teachers have been working hard to instill a love of reading in their students. The 4th and 5th grade students have learned to read higher level texts independently. Here are some of the techniques we have used to guide them along this process.
- We consistently read aloud to our children.
- We also set up a daily free reading time.
- Students are encouraged to visit the classroom library often
- Students are encouraged to revisit their favorite books
- Students are introduced to new genres each month to extend their repertoire of favorite books.
- We perform regular running records analysis to allow children how to choose the perfect books
- We have formed book clubs within the classes, allowing students to communicate and collaborate about books they enjoy.
- We set up various reading incentive programs
- We consistently add new texts to our libraries
As the most recent addition to our commitment to create lifelong readers, we have created a Tiki Reading Hut. The Tiki Reading Hut is a “jungle getaway’ for students who exhibit exceptionally good behavior. They can escape to this area and read independently. This area, located on one end of the third floor, is a comfortable, quiet, and exciting reward where students are sent to snuggle up to a good book. The reading hut is complete with child-sized reclining chairs, animal print pillows, and baskets of books with both non-fiction and folktales about jungles. Tarzan characters and jungle animals peek in from behind floral spreads as children read within these bamboo and grass walls. It is our intention to help students see reading time as an enjoyable privilege rather than a chore. The reading hut was created using recycled materials from around the school. Some of the school’s creative and artistic staff members, including the drama teacher, Ms. Arriaga, and a fourth grade general education teacher, Ms. Lorentz, an administrator, Ms. Minogue, and members of the custodial staff joined together to make this hut possible. The reading hut is a safe and cozy place where students can relax with a buddy and enjoy a special piece of literature.
