I tried a new system for free reading last year where students choose whatever they wanted to read, set their own goals, and then graded themselves on whether or not they reached those goals. I eliminated the book report and allowed students to get together and talk about their books with each other in a more casual, but still academic way. All but one of the kids last year said they read significantly more with nearly all of them at least doubling what they read outside of class in comparison to the year before. Just today I was conferencing with students and was initially disappointed because many of them didn't seem to be getting very far in their book. Then I started asking them why they thought they deserved their (high) self-grades. Again and again, a kid would look at me sideways and say things like, "I've never finished a book before and I'm already half way done with this one!" or "This is the first book I've ever finished that wasn't for class" or "I hate reading, but I've nearly finished that book and it is really good- which is crazy because I hate reading". Everyone is at a different place, but we are all moving forward as fast as possible. I am very proud of these kids today.
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October 2014
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