Reading takes you places…

Check out this website for great summer reading!!

www.teachingheart.net/summerread.html

Ms. Joyce Loebner, Librarian

Dinosaur Pathfinder

Autumn Pathfinder

	Do you remember Goldilocks' quest in the fairy tale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" to find the porridge, chair, and bed that were "just right"?   Selecting a book can sometimes feel the same way.  Just as Goldilocks found that some porridges were too hot or too cold and others were just right, beginning readers often have difficulty finding books that are "just right" and not too hard or too easy.
When you are reading a book you can try asking yourself these questions to help you find a book that is "just right" for you.
Too Easy Books As you read, ask yourself these questions.  If you answer "yes" to most of the questions then the book is probably too easy for you.  You can still have fun reading it, but next time try to choose a book that is a little more challenging. 1.  Have you read this book many times before? 2.  Do you understand the story very well without much effort? 3.  Do you know and understand almost every word? 4.  Can you read it smoothly and fluently without much practice or effort? Just Right Books As you read ask yourself these questions.  If you answer yest to most of them then the book you are reading is probably "just right" for you.   These are the books that will help you make the most progress in your reading.  Read, enjoy and learn from the experience! 1.  Is this book new to you? 2.  Do you understand most of the book? 3.  Are there a few words per page that you don't recognize or know the meaning to instantly?  Remember to use the five finger test. 4.  Can someone help you with the book if you hit a tough spot? Too Hard Books As you read ask yourself these questions, if you find that you answer yes to most of these questions, then the book is probably too hard for you.   Don't forget about the book, try it again later.  As you gain experience in choosing "just right" books, you may find when you pick the book up again that it is "just right/" 1.  Are there more than a few words on a page that you don't recognize or know the meaning?  Remember the five finger test. 2.  Are you confused about what is happening in most of the book? 3.  When you read are you struggling and does it sound choppy? 4.  Is everyone busy and unable to help you if you hit a tough spot?