From: Killeen, Erlene <Erlene.Killeen_at_Stoughton.K12.WI.US>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:18:48 -0500

I'll respond to Megan and Lynn's fears about non-fiction and the push from Common Core, etc.

You're right to be fearful for the youngest children or the poorest readers because they are being asked to read non-fiction at a VERY basic level of reading. That leads everyone right to the simple series on animals, jobs, transportation, and the like. There isn't much we can do about that but en courage the growth of simple decoding and comprehension so the kids can get to the better materials. Read alouds in the classroom are huge and I have been focusing on recommending great non-fiction titles to teachers to read aloud.

One thing that is really crucial in the non-fiction reading is the gatherin g of information by the children. Background knowledge is so important for all reading and the more they can gobble up, the better.

I am finding more and more that kids are so clever and so understanding tha t they are slipping back into that old paradigm of reading for school and " real reading." I am so glad I am on the side of real reading -- things the y can freely choose and enjoy! Our school LMC is working hard to meet bot h needs.

Erlene Bishop Killeen erlene.killeen_at_stoughton.k12.wi.us Stoughton Area Schools 1601 West South Street Stoughton, WI 53589 608-877-5181
Received on Mon 12 Mar 2012 08:18:48 AM CDT