Choosing a Just Right Book
Choosing a just right book can be challenging for students. Through the years of working with first graders and second graders, I have seen numerous students become frustrated when trying to use the “five finger” rule. Therefore, I never want to tell a student that the book is “too hard” for them. I created these bookmarks to give students a guideline – while not pigeon-holing books into Too Hard and Too Easy categories.
Scenario of a Student Doing a Tricky Word Page Check
1. Student picks up a book and turns to a random page (near the middle of the book).
2. Student starts reading the words on that page.
3. Each time student comes to a tricky word (a word that he/she needs to ask for help with), the student touches one of the objects on the bookmark.
4. If student touches all four objects, choose another book. (This is a Tricky Word Page Check – choose another book if you find more than 4 tricky words on one page.)
5. Print (on card-stock) and laminate these bookmarks. Place them in your classroom library area. Students can use these bookmarks to self-select books they will be able to successfully read independently. You may want to prompt students before they visit your classroom library by saying, “Don’t forget to do a tricky-word-page-check.”
6. After selecting a book with no more than 4 tricky words on a page, student will read the book and answer the After Reading questions.
Click here to download a set of seasonal Tricky-Word-Page-Check Bookmarks.
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