This article points out a common mistake that many teachers have. So many teachers have grade level books in their classroom, they do not have books on a lower reading level. Often teachers have books that are a higher reading level but why do the struggling readers get overlooked sometimes? Not every child will be a brilliant reader, and those children need to be encouraged to read. If a teacher has various books, ranging in different grade levels, then he or she will be able to accommodate those students who struggle with reading. Many times teachers assume that because a student has made it to fifth grade, sixth grade , and so on, that they have the essential skills needed to be a successful reader. That is not the case! Teachers need to have picture books, small chapter books, magazines..and the list could continue. Having more than just chapter books in the classroom, allows those struggling readers to build self-confidence ; knowing that they can read a book, magazine, or article and understand what it is saying.
My teacher Ms. Beckley does a great job is providing various types of reading material. I am constantly looking around the classroom and noticing what each child is reading. Some are reading Harry Potter, or Judy Blume, or maybe looking at a picture book. When they have extra time to read, they get to pick what they want to read, which is GREAT!! All my third graders are loving and enjoying what they are reading because it is on their reading level, and not just on the grade level.
I will have a variety of books and other reading materials in my classroom and I will allow my students to read what interests them, and not condense their reading to a third grade book only.
