Reading and literacy enrichment
Posted May 7th, 2006 by Steven Norton
Some parents have proposed programs for kids that will encourage reading and literacy. These could be either after-school or during school as something like “Lunchtime Choices.” Ideas floated include: team competitions based on close reading of books, organized discussions of books, a kid-style book group, etc. What should the role of competition be? How much should it focus on just reading or reading for deeper understanding? Should it be topical, or organized by age? How can we complement what is being done in the classroom?
Comments
Academic Enrichment
Numerous parents have shown interest in providing academic enrichment opportunities in both reading and math. There are lots of possibilities:
• math games club during recess for selected grade levels
• word games club during recess for selected grade levels
• EMU students leading an after-school math games club
• Junior Great Books type of non-competition-oriented literature discussion
• debate/public speaking club
I envision a meeting in which we gather together all parents who are potentially interested in organizing/leading such activities. We can brainstorm topics that we’d be willing to pursue and then decide which activities to do, when to offer them (recess or after school), and which grade levels would be targeted.
Should this meeting be before the end of the school year? Or in the fall? Not sure what the best timing would be. Any thoughts on the subject would be helpful.
Academic Enrichment
I think all are great ideas and I like the fact that enrichment would be offered during lunch and/or after school. I want to make sure that students that ride a bus have an opportunity to participate. I also like that the enrichment would take place after school or during the day without impacting the curriculum and class time.
We at one time had quite a few sets of the newer Jr. Great Books because we used to use them. I think a brainstorming session is a good idea, but more importantly, I also think an interest inventory to the students would be a nice idea to determine their interests.
"Battle of the Books"
One suggestion was a program called “Battle of the Books,” in which students carefully read one or more books and then form teams to answer factual questions about the books. Upside: appeals to a competition. Downside: focus is on remembering details rather than thinking or analysing.