My emerging readers need lots of opportunities for success yet they often lack reading material that can meet them where they are at on their reading journey. Our charter school is small and has a very limited amount of accessible material for our most beginning readers. Our older readers sometimes have to skip library time in order to attend their reading group services, further limiting their access to books. Many of my students have financial challenges, exasperated by COVID-19, that limit their at home libraries as well. I believe the overwhelm of the current pandemic has weakened support of daily reading outside of school as many parents are needing to focus on health concerns, child care needs, and familial support.
In our reading room we seek to supply students with a steady stream of high-interest low-readability books that will ignite their love of reading and boost their confidence. While we use decodable text in our reading lessons, we encourage our students to practice their new skills by checking books out from our reading room library as well. We hope by loaning books out to students we can help alleviate burdens on families who may not know which texts can best support their rising readers. The excitement generated when they have success reading on their own is an unparalleled motivator.
The books I have picked out are highly requested series with visual supports. Graphic novels and illustrated books allow students to feel a sense of accomplishment. For our older readers graphic novels allow students to read the same material as their peers and can be a bridge to more advanced reading. These books will truly be game changers for my wide variety of students!
About my class
My emerging readers need lots of opportunities for success yet they often lack reading material that can meet them where they are at on their reading journey. Our charter school is small and has a very limited amount of accessible material for our most beginning readers. Our older readers sometimes have to skip library time in order to attend their reading group services, further limiting their access to books. Many of my students have financial challenges, exasperated by COVID-19, that limit their at home libraries as well. I believe the overwhelm of the current pandemic has weakened support of daily reading outside of school as many parents are needing to focus on health concerns, child care needs, and familial support.
In our reading room we seek to supply students with a steady stream of high-interest low-readability books that will ignite their love of reading and boost their confidence. While we use decodable text in our reading lessons, we encourage our students to practice their new skills by checking books out from our reading room library as well. We hope by loaning books out to students we can help alleviate burdens on families who may not know which texts can best support their rising readers. The excitement generated when they have success reading on their own is an unparalleled motivator.
The books I have picked out are highly requested series with visual supports. Graphic novels and illustrated books allow students to feel a sense of accomplishment. For our older readers graphic novels allow students to read the same material as their peers and can be a bridge to more advanced reading. These books will truly be game changers for my wide variety of students!