I really enjoyed reading this article and found it very helpful. Not being able to read on the level the teacher is requiring, impacts everything they are asked to do in the classroom. If they are not reading on the same grade level as their classmates, they will fall significantly behind. If a student has no idea what he/she is reading, their fluency will not improve, and neither will their comprehension. I sometimes worry about being able to find reading-level material for my class as a whole, along with my low-level readers. I feel that if I select texts that are too easy, my higher-level readers and grade-level readers will become bored and less interested in what they are reading. If I select a text that is on grade-level, my low readers will struggle to read and understand the material or comprehend the story. What is a teacher to do?
In CI 3110, we just finished the book Blue by Joyce Hostetter. I really enjoyed this book and did not think it was too difficult for upper elementary students. We discussed in class what grade level we thought the book would best suit. We decided that if the book was read aloud by the teacher, third grade would be appropriate. If the book was done independently or read aloud in class by students, fourth or fifth grade would be an appropriate match. I think the book would be great to read in fourth grade because that is when students learn about North Carolina history, and since this book takes place right here in Hickory, NC, students might enjoy the book more because of that fact. The lists that were provided in the article will be quite helpful when I become an elementary school teacher. Sometimes, especially for new teachers, it can be overwhelming to try and fit in everything that has to be taught. Teachers have to integrate the curriculum in some way. This article shows practicing teachers, as well as students, like me, how to do this the best way.
