Five years ago, I started a tradition with my 6th graders. I called it a "Read In". The last day before Christmas break, this annual reading event is held.
When I first rolled out the idea, a kid replied that year, "That's decent!" Ever since then, I knew I was on to something. The premise is that we spend extended times reading whatever we like to read, while nibbling on cookies and sipping hot chocolate supplied by me.
This year, I continued the tradition. Other teachers have come to look forward to this ELA tradition in room 105. This year we were privileged to have our Councilwoman, Mrs. Cindy Bass come and read to one of the classes! This year I also had a caterer, make homemade cookies. She baked over 300 cookies; over 300 big and soft M&M, chocolate, and oatmeal cookies!
Today was such a huge success! Those Common Core folks would probably have my head for being such a nontraditional teacher. But I have a few words for them if they dare to set foot in my classroom and tell me it's all about the nonfiction and that reading is not a personal act! Psshhh!!!
By the way, the kid that replied "That's decent!" was a young lady with an IEP for reading. She scored achieved "proficient" that year in reading on the state assessments! I'm just saying....
Some call me "Flem"
- Dr. Stephen R. Flemming
- I'm an elementary school teacher turned high school English teacher, School-Based Teacher Leader (SBTL), and adjunct professor here in Philly. These posts are the views, as I see them, from room 105, my first classroom number. Enjoy, engage, and share!
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