Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Free Voluntary Reading - PAEF Grant

Today was the official start of Free Voluntary Reading with my Spanish 4 classes. I followed the format that Laurie Clarq outlined in her blog and things went smoothly.

The students and I read for 15 minutes, which I really enjoyed because I wanted to finish the book "Vida y muerte en la Mara Salvatrucha" - I HIGHLY recommend it to any Spanish teachers. Then the students wrote the 3-sentence summary, page # & last line read, and if they liked it or not and why. It was interesting listening to the comments of the students as they were writing the summaries: some said how interesting their books were, others were pleased at how much they had read, some asked about a word that they didn't know (they weren't allowed to ask me during the FVR time), and on and on.

BUT, the BEST PART of the FVR was when 3 students asked if they were allowed to take the books home to continue reading! Of course, I said yes - well, actually I said "Sí".

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I'm following the steps that Laurie Clarq used to introduce FVR to her students. Tomorrow they will have 10-15 minutes of FVR and on Friday as well. Then, starting next week, my sts will have FVR twice a week. 


I was able to start my collection of books thanks to a grant I wrote to my school's education foundation, Palmyra Area Education Foundation.  I was thrilled when I heard I received a $600 grant to spend on books for FVR. 

Attached is a list of the novels I bought through TPRS Publishing, Inc. and Teacher's Discovery. (I also bought 25-30 children's books through e-bay that are not included on the list, but I wanted the students to settle into a short novel for the FVR experience.)
HAPPY READING TO ALL!


9 comments:

  1. Would you be able to email me Laurie Clarq's format for FVR? (emgasper@gmail.com)

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    1. I don't have any documents on her format. If I remember correctly, I had read something on her blog that outlined what she does during FVR. I searched her blog to see if I could find the post, but it is no longer available.

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  2. Hi, I would love to have the list of books that you purchased. Any you could send my way would be appreciated! I think you meant to attach it to this post, but I unfortunately cannot see it.

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    1. I can email the list of books to you if you provide your name and email in the comments section.

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  3. I would love this list of books as well! My email is mmccaughey at bayviewacademy.org. I am trying to find a grant I can apply to for books!

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  4. Could I have the list as well? masco-lee@centralschoolstl.org

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    1. I tried sending the email several times, but I think there is a typo in the email address you left above. I did google your name and found an email address that had one additional letter so I sent it to that email. Hopefully, you received the list. If not, you can leave another comment here and I will send it.

      Cynthia Hitz

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  5. Would you be able to email me the list also? juliemirwin@gmail.com. Thanks!

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  6. I am trying to get a good FVR Library going as well. I realize your post is almost 6 years old, but I would still love to have your list emailed to me if possible. krista.steiner at cpsreds dot org
    THANKS!!!

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