I've always given credit to my son's fourth/fifth grade language arts teacher for
helping to foster his lifelong interest in reading. She set aside time every day
for sustained silent reading, with the students being responsible for bringing a
book to read to class. I was so grateful to her for giving my son this reading time
at what is especially a critical point in the reading lives of boys. Even with my
concentrated efforts to impress upon my son the value and joy of reading, this
teacher made all the difference. I worked with fourth grade writing portfolios for
five years, and witnessed firsthand the stress that the students and teachers start
going through at this grade level. We teachers working with writing portfolios
called the time portfolio season during which we were supposed to suddenly and
magically turn these young students into brilliant writers. (And yes, I do
recognize the value of writing, as I have worked with writing for many years. It's
the unrealistic!
expectations of the state channeled through administrators that I question.) And,
of course, the pressure on the students and teachers during testing time was
equally as enormous. The free reading time allowed/required by this language arts
teacher gave the students a much needed stress-free period of time to enjoy reading
and escape the madness.
Kathy Reel
Former English/Writing Teacher
New Librarian Looking for Job
Owensboro, KY
-----Original Message-----
From: lnocita@BARSTOWSCHOOL.ORG
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 2:42 PM
Subject: GEN: Newsweek article 2/19/07
There's an article in the lastest issue of Newseek called "Fourth-Grade
Slump." (p. 47) There's a useful statistic if you are looking to
increase or justify your budget or if you're looking to promote an SSR
program. I like to collect these tidibits because you never know when one
might come in handy! As someone whose budget underwent a drastic cut this
year I need more ammo! The article says that fourth grade is a turning
point for many kids. A 2006 survey by Scholastic found that 40% of kids
age 5 through 8 read every day. By fourth grade it drops to 29%. "Kids
need to use a wide range of reading materials--nonfiction and expository
writing--and lots of vocabulary words."
Lisa Nocita, LMS
lnocita@barstowschool.org
The Barstow School
11511 State Line Road
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-277-0308
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
________________________________________________________________________
Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools,
free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail
and more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home