| Self Selected Reading Block This reading block should last for 30 - 40 minutes. Goals of Self-Selected Reading: Share different kinds of literature through teacher read-aloud. Encourage children's reading interests. Provide instructional-level materials. Build intrinsic motivation. I begin the block by reading aloud to the children from a wide range of literature. (10 - 15 minutes) Examples of literature: Poetry Newspaper articles Chapter books Books from certain authors Books on famous people This is also the time when I teach children how to choose "just right" books. The children then read independently at the tables for the next 10 - 15 minutes. The children are reading books from their reading folders. Reading folders consists of books that the children have self-selected. At the beginning of the year, I select most of the books for the folders. As the year progresses and the children are able to choose appropriate books for their reading levels, I choose only two and let them choose up to 4 books. I usually don't have them keep more than 6 books in their folders at a time. During the independent reading time children are not allowed to be choosing new books. I conference at this time with 2 or 3 students each day. During the conference I am looking for the strategies the children are using as they read. I will also ask focus questions to check for comprehension. Focus questions: Tell me what you read... Describe the main character... We end this block by having several children share what they are reading with their peers. A great site for the Four Blocks Literacy Model is www.readinglady.com A great book for teaching using the Four Blocks model is The Teacher's Guide to the Four Blocks by Patricia M. Cunningham, Dorothy P. Hall, and Cheryl M. Sigmon |
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