connecting fiction to real life

Students are more likely to engage in activities they are excited about.

Create mystery about the next “big “ activity Leave cryptic messages about upcoming

events

Conduct student interest inventories Find books of high interest Choose themes students can connect to

Schedule a “Book Walk” – a chance to casually explore the books available during the Literature Circle

This is a chance for students to start forming ideas about their reading interests

Allow students to rank their top 3 book choices

Coordinate groups based on student book choices

Keep groups small, no more than 4 students

Give students role descriptions to keep reading on track

Each circle needs a recorder to document what has been read

The artist creates visual representations of the reading

The thinker composes questions about the book and works with the group to make connections

Motivate students to succeed by guiding the pace of reading

6th graders can generally handle reading a novel in 10-12 school days if it is under 250 pages long.

7th & 8th graders can complete the task in 8-10 school days.

Be mindful of other course expectations.

Allow students to present what they learned to the class. This can be done in a variety of ways.

Poster presentation Cereal box book review Book discussion circles Video book review

The Bluford High Series, by Paul Langran, Anne Schraff and others

Suspense Novels and Drama’s are very appealing

Susan Shreve & Wendelin Van Draanenwrite strong narratives.

Exposure is everything, keep books visible in your classroom.

Make readingan everyday expectation