Getting Ready for First Grade Readers

Books, books, and more books. 

I love books.

I've seen myself as a reader for as long as I can remember. Usually having a book to read. Or escape into the world of the book. I read Harry Potter, Year 7 in two days. (The baby's diaper did get changed, but I had little time for anything else.)

Several years ago I heard of The Book Whisperer, but never read it, because it seemed a little old for my first graders. But my friend this summer is posting about her book-a-day. I was intrigued and she gently nudged me to the book. 

So many interesting ideas and suggestions and steps to take. This book is geared toward kids that can read. I have a few that come to first grade reading, but have many more developing. And even a few that are already discouraged that they are not readers. 

What a tragedy. That a six-year-old already identifies himself/herself as not a reader.

That is going to change next year (I hope!).

My steps:

1. Amass copious amounts of books for beginning and developing readers that are meaningful and engaging.

2. Read all the kid books that I have this summer as a refresher. I have so many picture books, but they are not really for beginning/developing readers. Find books that are appropriate.

3. Get excited about genre and possible ways of guiding the kids to read A LOT (both in minutes and in books).

4. Be in touch with other primary teachers and pick their brains.

Here is where I will start...

And I will end (I hope) with students who read all the time!