BOOKS — How to teach reading

     A blog post by Comprehensible Novel author A.C. Quintero "We've included here more resources for teachers to dive deeper into Black History Month, but encourage all teachers to use these resources and books to weave Afro-Latino and Afro-Franco culture, history and representation into lessons year-round."  Throughout the year as a business Command Performance is actively working to include new titles by new voices, not just one month a year.  That is reflected in our broadening selection of comprehensible readers (featured below).  We've included here more resources for teachers to dive deeper into Black History Month, but encourage all...

What comes first?  Teaching a class novel or Free Reading? A class novel.  In level one, we teach them how to read and then we let them read on their own.  This is what we do with our own children, too.  First we read aloud and point to the pictures.  In upper levels when students already know how to read independently we do both simultaneously.  We teach one novel with scaffolding and support and background information while still giving them time to read for pleasure.   Here is our recommended checklist for what does not belong in your classroom library...

  The back of each bookmark is blank so that students can write their name and class period.  The book should be stored inside of each classroom library book that is currently being read.  Some books will have more than one bookmark if multiple classes are reading the same copies.  Students can also keep a list of the books they have read on the back of the bookmark or even a star rating of the books they liked.  Post a manila envelope on the wall for students who are between books or finish a book at the end of a...

How to run a Free Choice Classroom Library  What is Sustained Silent Reading / Free Voluntary Reading / Free Choice Reading?  "Free Voluntary Reading [FVR] means reading what you want to read, with no book reports, no questions at the end of the chapter, and not having to finish the book if you don't want to.  Sustained silent reading provides children with an opportunity to do free voluntary reading in school." Stephen D. Krashen     A.C. Quintero, author and Spanish teacher                How to run a sustained silent reading program in a world...

How to build a classroom library Building a classroom library quickly requires a variety of readers that will appeal to as many students as possible.  The objective is to create pleasure readers who will continue to read independently.    Is Pleasure Reading Important?  Is it a waste of class time?   How to display books: Jim Trelease in The Read Aloud Handbook recommends rain gutters attached to the walls.  Here are some other options.  If you are still concerned about disinfecting books, read this blog on how to display books and how long to quarantine them after use.      ...