Re: GEN: Reading improvement innovations?

[Pam Gelbmann <gelbmann@TIES.K12.MN.US>]

>My principal just asked me what I would recommend for to help boost reading
>scores for students beow grade level.  We use the Accelerated Reader
>program which I like since it enourages reading.  The money she has is
>innovation money and needs to be something different than we are already
>doing.  My mind has drawn a blank.  Can you wonderful people share ideas,
>research or your dream to boost reading scores?  TIA
>
>Megan Volmer
>Media Specialist
>Banks Street Elementary School
>Fort Mill, SC  29715
>
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Dear Megan,
Ask your principal to put the money to library books and buy paperbacks of
popular series. Then institute a 20 minute a day silent reading time for
your school. This time is for student chosen reading, not homework catch-up
or teacher directed reading. This is from Jim Trelease and it works. The
idea is to get kids in the habit of reading for fun. Magazines and popular
novels are acceptable reading materials. I do a daily "book commmerial" on
our computer slide show announcements.
I use the digital camera to get a picture of the book cover and add a one
screen teaser to introduce the book. For example, "And you think you're
teacher is tough.." for "My Teacher Flunked the Planet". The kids come in
and ask for the books so something is working.
Pam Gelbmann
Media Generalist, Madison Elem.
Blaine, MN
gelbmann@ties.k12.mn.us

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