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60 Second Book Selection Strategy
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From: George, Becki <georgeb>
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 15:52:42 -0500
Several years ago, in 1992 to be exact, I discovered a book selection strategy that I've been sharing with my middle school students ever since. The strategy was discussed in an article in the April 1992, School Library media Activities Monthly, entitled "I Need a Good Book...FAST!" It is described as a 60-second book strategy that details guidelines for students to consider when selecting a book, and to help them to make a good reading selection . Middle school readers need help in learning how to increase their chances of making an appropriate book selection for themselves in a limited amount of time. The strategy spells out a key question for students - CAN IT BE FOR ME? This question in displayed in our LMC as a reminder to all students of qualities to consider when they are selecting a book.
As I'm talking to students about the strategy I use lots of books as examples of each part of the selection strategy, and manage to sneak in some booktalks along the way too.
The table below gives a quick overview of the strategy. If you have more questions I would encourage you to locate the article.
C = Cover
Students are encouraged to look at cover clues to get information about the story.
A = Author
Do you recognize the author's name? Have you read other books by this author?
N = Number of Pages
Length matters; sometimes in terms of the challenge and other times in terms of reading satisfaction, finishing a book
I = Illustrations
Some students like pictures while others would rather create their own mental pictures.
T = Title or Topic
Can draw readers to a book or it can cause potential readers to look elsewhere
B = Blurb
What is the purpose of a blurb? Where is it located?
E = Entirety
Size of type, number of words on a page, size, format
F = First Impressions
Read the first line, or even the first page. If you aren't captivated by the story on the first page, then that book might not be for you.
O = Opinions
Come from others who have read the book, reviews, honors the book has received.
R = Reverse of the Title Page
Point of the LC Cataloging in Publication data and how it can be used for a one-sentence summary of a book that doesn't have a blurb.
M = My Friends
Suggestions from other students.
E = Ending
Reading the last page first - how it can help readers and readers who would never read the last page first.
Becki George
Middle School Media Specialist
Rice Lake Middle School
Rice Lake, WI 54817
Received on Mon 11 Oct 2004 03:52:42 PM CDT
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 15:52:42 -0500
Several years ago, in 1992 to be exact, I discovered a book selection strategy that I've been sharing with my middle school students ever since. The strategy was discussed in an article in the April 1992, School Library media Activities Monthly, entitled "I Need a Good Book...FAST!" It is described as a 60-second book strategy that details guidelines for students to consider when selecting a book, and to help them to make a good reading selection . Middle school readers need help in learning how to increase their chances of making an appropriate book selection for themselves in a limited amount of time. The strategy spells out a key question for students - CAN IT BE FOR ME? This question in displayed in our LMC as a reminder to all students of qualities to consider when they are selecting a book.
As I'm talking to students about the strategy I use lots of books as examples of each part of the selection strategy, and manage to sneak in some booktalks along the way too.
The table below gives a quick overview of the strategy. If you have more questions I would encourage you to locate the article.
C = Cover
Students are encouraged to look at cover clues to get information about the story.
A = Author
Do you recognize the author's name? Have you read other books by this author?
N = Number of Pages
Length matters; sometimes in terms of the challenge and other times in terms of reading satisfaction, finishing a book
I = Illustrations
Some students like pictures while others would rather create their own mental pictures.
T = Title or Topic
Can draw readers to a book or it can cause potential readers to look elsewhere
B = Blurb
What is the purpose of a blurb? Where is it located?
E = Entirety
Size of type, number of words on a page, size, format
F = First Impressions
Read the first line, or even the first page. If you aren't captivated by the story on the first page, then that book might not be for you.
O = Opinions
Come from others who have read the book, reviews, honors the book has received.
R = Reverse of the Title Page
Point of the LC Cataloging in Publication data and how it can be used for a one-sentence summary of a book that doesn't have a blurb.
M = My Friends
Suggestions from other students.
E = Ending
Reading the last page first - how it can help readers and readers who would never read the last page first.
Becki George
Middle School Media Specialist
Rice Lake Middle School
Rice Lake, WI 54817
Received on Mon 11 Oct 2004 03:52:42 PM CDT
