Book Hooks

This school year I have been using SEM-R (School Wide Enrichment Model for Reading) in my classroom. I have had to modify it since I teach middle school. The model is broken into three different phases. Phase 1: Exposure: Book Hooks, Phase 2: Supported Independent Reading, and Phase 3: Interest and choice. What I like about this is it lines up perfectly with the 40 Book Challenge I do each year. It also allows the students freedom to select what they are interested in reading. The first phase is to do a book hook. These have been going really well this year. The kids love them and look forward to them each week. What I do is read 5-8 pages of a book but you can read how much or how little as you'd like. Then I model the questions and strategies we will be using in class. Either in differect instruction or the questions they will be using later in the week in phase two. I have also used them to review concepts and strategies. Two of the most popular books I have used so far are Framed by James Ponti and The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky. When I do a book hook it exposes them to different genres and books they may not encounter on thier own. Everytime I do a book hook that book flies off my shelves. Even if you don't do the other phases, book hooks are a great addition to a classroom!

one year 50 books

Here is an awesome site that has book related t-shirts and bags.
http://www.litographs.com/collections/totes/

While the year is coming to an end I have been evaluating my reading goals for the year. My Goodreads goal had been to read 50 books this year. I did succeed and am actually at 52 book right now. I am very proud of this achievement. I also think making the time to read more and to read more young adult books makes me a better and more efficient teacher. I am better able to guide students towards books and understand what they like by talking to them about books they have already read and liked.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5410323-stacey-mackin: here is my goodreads profile for those who want to join me in my yearly challenge.

New school year

As the summer comes to a close it is time to reflect and finalize how I want to go into the school year. While I am very excited and hoping to help my students become life long readers. There is also that apprehension that happens before each school year. Are you really ready? What will be thrown your way? Have you done everything you can to be as successful as possible? 

This year I am doing my 40 book challenge again and I am very excited about getting a book that has come out that is a companion book to The Book Whisperer. While I have not read as much as I would have liked or usually do. I have a large stack of books I plan to read this school year. I am going I with excitement and enthusiasm and hopefully doing the challenge again with my kids will make a difference. 

My book reviews and what I am doing in my class will be coming soon.