Monthly Reading Logs
Last updated November 27th, 2011 at 11:47 a.m.
We are encouraging all first graders to read on their own or to another person for at least 20 minutes daily. On the monthly book log, your child should record the title of the book he reads each day. Most first graders will read several books at a time. Only one title needs to be recorded on the log. The goal is to read at least 20 days during the month. Post the log in a conveninet place at home, the refrigerator works well. Return the log at the end of the month.
Of course, children love to be read to as well, but please do not include this in the 20 minutes. Hearing stories fosters a love of reading and literature, and having good fluency modeled is a bonus! Thank you for your help in nurturing your child's reading habits.
If you need another copy of the reading log, it is posted in the "files" tab listed on the website.
Why Can't I Skip My 20 Minutes of Reading Tonight?
Last updated February 14th, 2010 at 6:50 p.m.
Let's figure it out -- mathematically!
Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;
Student B reads only 4 minutes a night...or not at all!
Step 1: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A reads 20 min. x 5 times a week = 100 mins./week
Student B reads 4 minutes x 5 times a week = 20 minutes
Step 2: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
Step 3: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year
Student A reads 3600 min. in a school year.
Student B reads 720 min. in a school year.
Student A practices reading the equivalent of ten whole school days a year. Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.
By the end of 6th grade if Student A and Student B maintain
these same reading habits, Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 school days.
One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?
Some questions to ponder:
Which student would you expect to read better?
Which student would you expect to know more?
Which student would you expect to write better?
Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
Which student would you expect to be more successful in school....and in life?
(shared on mailring by Emmy Ellis; source unknown)
