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I think you could take Elizabeth's message and substitute grade 1 for grade 12, and the message would still be accurate. Shouldn't reading be fun for everyone, regardless of age? Becky Mosbacher Library Media Specialist Hellgate Middle School 2385 Flynn Lane Missoula, MT 59808 bmosbacher@hellgate.k12.mt.us -----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth Gillies [mailto:yarrowlib@YAHOO.COM] Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 3:13 PM To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU Subject: Re: Accelerated Reader for 1st grade? I sent this reply to Ruth separately and then decided that I had to allow my response to go to a wider field as it means a lot to me. +++++++++++++++++++ I was a grade 1 teacher for over 9 years and a kindergarten teacher for 13 (also during that time, I taught K/1 for 2 years). i am now a teacher-librarian and we use AR (not implemented by me) in our school of K-6 students. The only students that are on the problem however are gr 2-6. My opinion is that gr 1 students do not need to be on AR. Those children do not have to take a test on a book just because they are advanced in my opinion. Reading for 6 and 7 year olds should be for fun. AR's purpose (when you strip away all the glitz) is a computerized program to provide accountability to teachers that their students are actually reading the book that they say they are. Little children need to read for the enjoyment that they get out from a book and then to share it with others (not a machine). If a teacher wants them to prove they have read the book, have the child draw a picture of their favourite part in the story; find five words (or 10) that they either they didn't know what the meaning of (and have them look it up in the dictionary),or words they just liked the sound of; write a letter to the main character (eg the big bad wolf); do a wanted poster; make a story map and show these to the rest of the class; have the students read a picture book to the class (instead of the teacher that day); write a different ending to the story; etc; make a bookmark for the story; have them read with lower students and help them with words they do not know....etc. (I have used all these suggestions in the past by the way). Throughout their life, students have to take enough tests to prove what they know without using this one at an age when oral language and play is so important. Self esteem is so important....gr. 1's struggle with many things in their first "real year" of school, such as a full day, learning to print properly, reading in groups and singly, getting along with each other, new number concepts etc. They do not need to get into a competition with themselves or others. How lucky those students that are already reading! And how lucky for the teacher that can allow those students to fly! But bright, capable students do not need MORE work, they need DIFFERENT work!! Taking an extra test that others do not is more work. Rather similar to assigning students more math sheets when they are done because they finished early don't you think? Please allow those children to do work that allows them to extend and expand what they already know, not just give them extra work that puts an already large gap between themselves and their classmates even bigger. Perhaps then, we can allow them to enjoy being children a little longer. Elizabeth ===== Elizabeth Gillies Teacher-Librarian Yarrow Elementary 46361 Yale Rd Chilliwack BC V2P 2P9 ph:(604) 823-4408 email:yarrowlib@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Listen to your Yahoo! Mail messages from any phone. http://phone.yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors: http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors: http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=