The school year is always incredibly busy. So… this summer I challenge you to read books that your students would read: whatever their age. Sift through those books on your classroom shelves, visit the library or bookstore, and make a point of reading a handful of books that your students would read.
Consider (at least) one from each category:
- picture book
- chapter book or novel
- graphic novel
- non-fiction
- biography
Simply read and enjoy. Or, even better, consider which would make effective read-alouds and/or mentor texts. What could these books be used to teach within your classroom?
- Did the author use effective dialogue?
- Were you hooked by the story beginning… if so, why?
- Did you notice interesting word choice, a creative use of sentence types, compelling rhythm or repetition?
- Was the organization effective?
- How did the pictures and words work together to create an effect?
Okay… get to it! What’s on your reading list?