
Our Reading Strategies are:
1. Make a prediction
2. Visualize what you're reading
3. Summarize what you have read
4. Find a connection and apply that knowledge to what you're reading
5. Ask a question about a confusing part
6. Think about a favorite part and why you liked it
7. Think about how you would change a part you didn't like
8. Monitor your reading - Did you understand what you just read?
Be sure to use a new one each day of the week!
1. Make a prediction
2. Visualize what you're reading
3. Summarize what you have read
4. Find a connection and apply that knowledge to what you're reading
5. Ask a question about a confusing part
6. Think about a favorite part and why you liked it
7. Think about how you would change a part you didn't like
8. Monitor your reading - Did you understand what you just read?
Be sure to use a new one each day of the week!
Quote: The easiest way to open your mind to new ideas and concepts is to open a book and read.
Book Orders Information - class code JVKJK
Reading in Class
Every student in grade five will be expected to read every day and every night. For some students this is wonderful news, for others, not so much. I will work with your child to find the best book choices possible.
On this page, I will post some of the grade level books that I'm reading and my recommendations. I will pass on titles that others recommend, hints for helping to increase reading comprehension and suggestions for reforming reluctant readers.
On this page, I will post some of the grade level books that I'm reading and my recommendations. I will pass on titles that others recommend, hints for helping to increase reading comprehension and suggestions for reforming reluctant readers.
What I've Read this Summer!
Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger - Okay, full confession. I have read this series before and I LOVED it. Sadly, I read it so quickly that I forgot some things that happened early in the series. Normally, this isn't an issue, but when a couple of my students from last year wanted to have an informal book club with me during recess, I got lost with what happened in which book. Since I only had one copy of the books, I couldn't brish up in between as the students were reading them! So, long story short, I bought a second copoy of each title and reread them. All 9. Sadly, the next book in the series is on hold for an extra year. Happily, I'm ready for all excited readers of the series this year.
My score 10 out of 10 (Can I say 20 out of 10?) - Great characters (good and bad), lots of action, not predictable, emotionally engaging! (On a side note, this isn't a genre I gravitate to, but it was recommended from a worker at Barnes and Noble. I'm SO glad I bought it! Listen to those who love books for a living!)
Genre - fantasy and adventure
Sophie, 12, has always felt out of place. She has a photographic memory and can hear people's thoughts. That combination has not made her popular as she has skipped so many grades that she's a onely high school student. On a field trip to the museum, Fitz finds her ans shares that she isn't human, She is really an elf and she belongs in the Lost Cities. Sophie finally feels like she belongs when she moves to be with her own people. The problem: she is a genetic experiment given special abilities to help save the Lost Cities from a rebel group. What happens as Sophie, and her friends, try to find out what the Black Swan want with her.
This seems to be a recurring summer read for me. I'm highly anticipating the release of book 10. I hope to have the answers to all of the questions that I've been accumulating since the series began.
My score 10 out of 10 (Can I say 20 out of 10?) - Great characters (good and bad), lots of action, not predictable, emotionally engaging! (On a side note, this isn't a genre I gravitate to, but it was recommended from a worker at Barnes and Noble. I'm SO glad I bought it! Listen to those who love books for a living!)
Genre - fantasy and adventure
Sophie, 12, has always felt out of place. She has a photographic memory and can hear people's thoughts. That combination has not made her popular as she has skipped so many grades that she's a onely high school student. On a field trip to the museum, Fitz finds her ans shares that she isn't human, She is really an elf and she belongs in the Lost Cities. Sophie finally feels like she belongs when she moves to be with her own people. The problem: she is a genetic experiment given special abilities to help save the Lost Cities from a rebel group. What happens as Sophie, and her friends, try to find out what the Black Swan want with her.
This seems to be a recurring summer read for me. I'm highly anticipating the release of book 10. I hope to have the answers to all of the questions that I've been accumulating since the series began.
Sisters by Raina Telegemeier - Another confession. I don't like graphic novels, but I am trying to find ones that I can recommend for my students who love them.
My score 4 out of 10 - Good characters, humorous, predictable
Genre - realistic fiction
Raina and her family take a road trip from California to a family reunion in Colorado. During the trip, we see how Raina's relationaship with her sister makes the trip a challenge on the family and how a family reunion can put many things into perspective.
My score 4 out of 10 - Good characters, humorous, predictable
Genre - realistic fiction
Raina and her family take a road trip from California to a family reunion in Colorado. During the trip, we see how Raina's relationaship with her sister makes the trip a challenge on the family and how a family reunion can put many things into perspective.
All Summer Long by Hope Larson - Another shot at a graphic novel.
My Score 6 out of 10 - good characters, not predictable, interesting situations, misunderstandings and fitting in
Genre - realistic fiction
Brina is feeling left out as her best friend, Austin, leaves for a month long soccer camp. They have spent every summer together their whole lives and have worked on their summer fun score since they were seven. She's lost for things to do and he isn't answering her texts. It looks like his evil older sister, who is stuck home after breaking her arm, might become a new friend as she feels like she is losing the best friend she;s ever had.
My Score 6 out of 10 - good characters, not predictable, interesting situations, misunderstandings and fitting in
Genre - realistic fiction
Brina is feeling left out as her best friend, Austin, leaves for a month long soccer camp. They have spent every summer together their whole lives and have worked on their summer fun score since they were seven. She's lost for things to do and he isn't answering her texts. It looks like his evil older sister, who is stuck home after breaking her arm, might become a new friend as she feels like she is losing the best friend she;s ever had.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer - This is another reread. I read it over ten years ago and barely remember it. I'm rereading it because I want to do and compare and contrast with my students on the graphic novel that has been published based on the story. I'm also thinking about using the movie to add to the mix, depending upon the rating of it.
My score - 8 out of 10 (book) 4 out of 10) (graphic novel)
Genre - fantasy and adventure
12-year-old Artemis Fowl sets our to re-amass his families fortune, after his father's death, by capturing a leprechaun's gold. He goes to extreme lengths to trick the leprechauns by being well research and brilliant. Do the leprechauns have someone equally smart to outwit Artemis?
My score - 8 out of 10 (book) 4 out of 10) (graphic novel)
Genre - fantasy and adventure
12-year-old Artemis Fowl sets our to re-amass his families fortune, after his father's death, by capturing a leprechaun's gold. He goes to extreme lengths to trick the leprechauns by being well research and brilliant. Do the leprechauns have someone equally smart to outwit Artemis?
Fablehaven - Brandon Mull -
This was another recommendation from the good people at Barnes & Noble. Once again, this isn't a book that I would have picked up and read without it coming highly recommended. As usual for me, this is the first book in a series. It stated out slow, but got better as I kept reading. I had already purchased the second book and thought I would regret that decision, but by the time I finished the first book, I couldn't wait to start the second one.
My score - 7.5 out of 10
Genre - fantasy and adventure
Kendra and Seth have to spend a week with their grandparents that they hardly ever see. When they arrive Grandma Sorenson isn't there and they are told they have to stay in the attic. They have been given the responsibility of taking care of the chicken that lives in the attic and Grandpa is just at the beginning of the rules they have to follow - for their own good.
My score - 7.5 out of 10
Genre - fantasy and adventure
Kendra and Seth have to spend a week with their grandparents that they hardly ever see. When they arrive Grandma Sorenson isn't there and they are told they have to stay in the attic. They have been given the responsibility of taking care of the chicken that lives in the attic and Grandpa is just at the beginning of the rules they have to follow - for their own good.