September 19, 2009

OK, so I know it's only the end of the first week of school, but I am already excited by the possibilities of the new school year.

Students are already reading – signing out books from my classroom library and engaging in independent reading. My copies of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series were all signed out on the second day of school. I have a waiting list for when the books are returned.

On the third day of school, students were requesting independent reading time during class. A cousin to sustained silent reading (SSR), independent reading sessions allow students to read material they have chosen (after much discussion and understanding of reading ability and likes) and orally, or in written form, share with others.

To see students, with varying academic abilities, reading was truly a Kodak moment. And before anyone asks, yes they were actually reading, not just pretending with an open book on their desk.

To the sceptics – I and the support personnel I am fortunate to have, walked around and listened to every student read aloud a passage from the book they had.

Students reading! Oh the possibilities!