Literacy Statistics “The Alliance for Excellent Education points to 8.7 million secondary students—that is one in four—who are unable to read and comprehend the material in textbooks” “The Alliance for Excellent Education points to 8.7 million secondary students—that is one in four—who are unable to read and comprehend the material in textbooks” “Three thousand students with limited literacy skills drop out of school every day in this country” “Three thousand students with limited literacy skills drop out of school every day in this country”

Literacy Statistics “Nearly half of all Americans ages fifteen to twenty-four do not read books for pleasure.” “Nearly half of all Americans ages fifteen to twenty-four do not read books for pleasure.”

Literacy Statistics “The American Institutes for Research reports that only 13 percent of American adults are capable of performing complex literacy tasks” “The American Institutes for Research reports that only 13 percent of American adults are capable of performing complex literacy tasks”

Literacy Statistics “By the third grade, students who suffer from ‘word poverty’ are often at a million-word reading deficit; by the sixth grade, they are already three grade levels behind their average-performing peers” “By the third grade, students who suffer from ‘word poverty’ are often at a million-word reading deficit; by the sixth grade, they are already three grade levels behind their average-performing peers”

Literacy Statistics Less than one-third of thirteen-year-olds are daily readers, a 14 percent decline from twenty years earlier. Less than one-third of thirteen-year-olds are daily readers, a 14 percent decline from twenty years earlier. The percentage of thirteen-year-olds who read for fun on a daily basis declined from 35 percent to 30 percent, and for seventeen-year- olds, the decline was from 33 percent to 22 percent. The percentage of thirteen-year-olds who read for fun on a daily basis declined from 35 percent to 30 percent, and for seventeen-year- olds, the decline was from 33 percent to 22 percent.

Literacy Statistics On average, Americans ages fifteen to twenty- four spend almost two hours a day watching television, and only seven minutes of their leisure time on reading. On average, Americans ages fifteen to twenty- four spend almost two hours a day watching television, and only seven minutes of their leisure time on reading.

What are the culprits behind the decline in reading? poverty lack of parent education print poor environments second language learners over scheduling of children electronic media competition

The Kill-A-Reader Casserole Take one large novel. Dice into as many pieces as possible. Douse with sticky notes. Remove book from oven every five minutes and insert worksheets. Add more sticky notes. Baste until novel is unrecognizable, far beyond well done. Serve in choppy, bite-size chunks

AOW - Article of the Week

What are "Beating the Odds" schools doing? Novels/Classics Novels/Classics Time to read in class. Time to read in class. Enough books. Enough books.

The Value Found in Second-Draft (and Third-Draft) Reading First Read- Survival Mode-struggling to understand the text on a literal level Richer level of craft - a level of beauty that is usually not discovered until students revisit the text Most students will discover the deeper, richer level of comprehension only with the guidance of a teacher.

1. Read with a pencil in hand, and annotate the text. 2. Look for patterns in things you've noticed about the text- repetitions, contradictions, similarities. 3. Ask questions about the patterns you've noticed - especially "how" and "why." Patricia Kain's, "How to Do a Close Reading"

Student: I read the chapter last night but I don't get it. Teacher: What didn't you get? Student: All of it. All of it," is Code: I don't know how to monitor my comprehension" Metacognitive Sweet Spot

"You don't have to burn books to destroy culture. Just get people to stop reading them." Ray Bradbury

What is Accelerated Reader? Uses short quizzes to check comprehension of books shows data on how much and how well students are reading is used after reading range is established.

Star Reading assesses students reading ability assesses students reading ability identifies reading ranges identifies reading ranges Measures growth Measures growth

Key to Reading Students need quiet space to read. Students need quiet space to read. They need access to good books They need access to good books Students select book of their own interest Students select book of their own interest Students take quizzes within 24 hours of reading a book Students take quizzes within 24 hours of reading a book Helps when students see teacher read Helps when students see teacher read motivation motivation Reading every day: must build up stamina Reading every day: must build up stamina

Goal for Accelerated Reader Quiz Goal for all students: 80%. Goal for all students: 80%. Points are prorated based on the % points of a quiz. Points are prorated based on the % points of a quiz. Students earn no points for failing Students earn no points for failing Accelerated Reader keeps track of all quizzes Accelerated Reader keeps track of all quizzes Students may not retake a test Students may not retake a test

Choosing Books teach students skills to preview a book teach students skills to preview a book Baer’s list Baer’s list Recommendations Recommendations Provide books Provide books Book Level: indicates difficulty, not appropriateness Book Level: indicates difficulty, not appropriateness Struggling readers should choose lower level books. Struggling readers should choose lower level books. during reading, allow time for students to take tests. during reading, allow time for students to take tests. Code of ethics Code of ethics

"You don't have to burn books to destroy culture. Just get people to stop reading them." Ray Bradbury