Read, Read, Read

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Family Book Club

From Barbara Kruming, a kindergarten teacher::

"Our entire K-6 school reads the same book, and parents are invited to read it too. At the end of the month, we have an evening discussion of the book in the auditorium. Of course, we serve refreshments first. There are some books that work well for both primary and upper level students. Two different books by the same author have also been chosen in the past. Our parents are very excited about sharing in the reading and discussion. The younger siblings of the older students feel proud of the fact that they can talk about the book too! I am a kindergarten teacher, so I read the book with my class, but also encourage my parents to read it themselves."
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2. Stop to Read

From Jenny Smith (BluzTeach@aol.com), a teacher in Miami, Florida:

"On Dr. Seuss Day [also known as NEA's Read Across America], we volunteer to read to children at one of the big malls. We ask parents to stop for a few minutes and allow us to read a book to their child. The children are given a ticket after listening to the reading and then allowed to pick a free book from our table of books. I'm not sure where or how the books are purchased, but I'm sure that something is worked out with one of the book companies. The reading is an awesome experience for me; it's great to share my love for reading and to watch the children's expressions as they listen."
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3. Question of the Week: Read Across America

From the Works4Me Worker Bees:

"NEA celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday each year with Read Across America, the nation's largest reading celebration. It's a special day, to be sure, but many of us like to encourage reading all year long. How do you foster a love for reading among kids and teenagers? Do you organize book clubs? Recommend books to read outside of class? Send information home to parents? Share with our readers your true-tried tips and best ideas and for encouraging young people to read."
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4. Greek and Latin Activity

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"I give my students sixteen words containing Greek and Latin roots or prefixes, which they need to know for quizzes. They use those words to write sentences on slips of paper with the definitions on the back. I'm trying to come up with a short activity (10-15 minutes) that will get them out of their desks. I would also like them to work in pairs. Any suggestions?"
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