Welcome, we are discussing the final chapter of Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

Chapter 5, Ending Readicide

Gallagher ends his book with some information on the number one schools in the world. In Finland children do not start school until they are 7. There are very few standardized test and very little homework.  But, I live in the United States and I have to teach in the system that we have here.

So what can I do? Let’s start with homework. The nice way to say it is: I have never been a fan. In fact I hate it. Yes, I just said that out loud. As a teacher, I think it is a waste of my time to correct something that many times the parents have done. As a parent, I find it very stressful to fit it into our busy evening.

I am forced to send homework home. So over the years, I have gotten into a rhythm that is a win, win as far as homework goes. I send home paragraph of the week on Monday. This gives the family plenty of flexibility as to when to finish the homework.

I have also worked on the reading log that every student is required to fill out and return each week. Instead of logging daily minutes I have the students answer 1 question a week about the book they are reading. This really works for me and the kiddos. I still have some parents who complain about the lack of homework, but I plan on suggesting that the non-believers read the book Readicide. I will even offer them my copy.

Gallagher wraps up his book by reviewing the 50/50 approach.

50% Recreational reading and 50% Academic reading. The one thing that leaps out at me with this approach is:

Teach less material and teach it deeply. This is my big challenge. While I know it will be difficult, I will be working towards this goal.

Thanks so much for joining us. I hope you have found some interesting take aways from our thoughts on a great book.

Hop on over to The Big Kids Hall and see what Lizzie has to say.

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Welcome, we are a group of fifth grade teachers sharing our thoughts and experiences while reading the book Readicide by Kelly Gallagher. Thanks so much for joining us.  

Chapter 4 Finding the Sweet Spot of Instruction

In chapter 1-3 Readicide focuses on the over teaching that has become common practice in our classrooms. We slice and dice and try to fit every standard into each novel we read. We need to stop this over teaching so that our students can get into the reading flow and love reading.

The Sweet Spot

That perfect blend of NOT over teaching or under teaching. 

In chapter 4 Gallagher tells us that the under teaching of complex text is just as harmful as the over teaching. What? Don’t over teach and don’t under teach. We need to find the sweet spot. My first reaction was, really? Really? Yes, I almost shouted the second really. But then I took a step back and calmed down.

According to Gallagher we need to set the purpose of complex text. Ok, I do that. We need to give our students the background knowledge they need, we need to frame the text. We need to teach the students strategies to help them comprehend the text. In short we need to teach.

I love the saying I don’t teach reading, I teach children to read. As I was reading this chapter I kept thinking of all the tools that we use to understand a complex book. And all the ways that we need to help the students use these tools.

Big Chunk/Little Chunk

Gallagher likes to have the students read a chapter and then he will pull a passage for close reading. Yeah! I am doing something right. This is an excellent way to find the Sweet Spot. Every year the kiddos need something just a little different. By using the close reading it allows me to focus on what they need. By giving the students the strategies they need to comprehend the difficult text we can find the Sweet Spot. 

The 50/50 rule. 

50% of the reading should be fun, enjoyable reading. 50% should be complex text to push our readers along. Yes, I know the standards are all about Informational Text. Please don't forget about the recreational reading. It is my belief that the fun reading will go a long way in creating life long readers. 

Hop on over and see what Lizzie has to say in The Big Kids' Hall.

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