Topic: Book Orientation

10-second review: Helping students prepare to read a book. Sounds very much like the directed reading assignment.

Title: “Orientation to a New Book: More Than a Picture walk.” C Briggs and SO Forbes. Reading Teacher (May 2009), 706-709.

Summary: Go over the pictures and help students guess the story or plot line. Pre-teach unusual or difficult words. Set a purpose for reading.

Quote: Holdaway (1979): “It is always a good idea to leave children with one or two clear questions which will drive them into the text and serve as a continuing impulse to seek meaning as they read.”

Comment: Sounds very much like the directed reading assignment. This basic book preview in picture books for young readers can be expanded in later grades to books without pictures. If the book is fiction, students read for ten minutes near the beginning, half through the book, three-fourths through and near the end. After each sampling, ask students what they have learned and what questions they have. Consolidate the questions into two or three essential questions. Students then read to answer the questions.

Call it a book orientation or whatever you want. It’s a good way to motivate students to read a book. There’s very little new under the sun. RayS.