Full Description
Read widely and read often - create a classroom environment where independent reading thrives
Independent reading is more than just "drop everything and read" - it is a gateway to writing, critical thinking, discussion, and deeper learning. Author Jarred Amato, an accomplished middle and high school English teacher and founder of Project LIT Community, believes in the power of independent reading not only to turn around the reading attitudes of students but also to help them achieve huge gains in all areas of literacy, learning, and civic engagement.
Many teachers have pushed aside independent reading in the time crunch to teach all the content and skills in the curriculum — or because of pressure to stay true to a traditional literary canon. Instead of looking at it as either/or, Just Read It shows teachers how to make independent reading "yes, and." Dr. Amato's Read and WRAP (write, reflect, analyze, participate) framework helps teachers cultivate meaningful learning experiences with daily dedication of independent reading time, followed by writing, reflection, conversation, and community-building lessons and activities.
With thoughtful, student-centered structures and strategies to sustain independent reading success, this book
Provides detailed insights on transforming the principles of access, choice, time, and community into actions
Shows how to support student interests and varied reading levels
Offers ready-to-go activities to initiate Read and WRAP routines at the start of the school year, keep momentum going, and finish the year strong to ensure continued literacy growth
Demonstrates how to leverage student feedback to fine-tune the Read and WRAP routines
Discusses various options for incorporating independent and whole-class novels into the curriculum
Offers a game plan to "level up" IR, including how to launch and lead a Project LIT chapter
We live in a time when choosing what we read is critically important, and this book offers all the tools teachers need to guide students along the path to true literacy. Just Read It is perfect for anyone who believes in the power of books to change students' lives and nurture a life-long love for reading.
Contents
Dedication
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Warm-up: An Introduction
PART 1 The Fundamentals of Independent Reading
Chapter 1 Developing The Read and WRAP Framework
Chapter 2 Simplifying Our Approach to Shift Reading Mindsets
Chapter 3 Transforming Principles Into Actions: Strategies to Increase Access, Promote Choice, Guarantee Time, and Build Community
PART 2 - Strategies to Sustain Independent Reading Success
Chapter 4 Starting Strong: How to Invest Readers From Day One Through the "Intro To Lit" Unit
Chapter 5 Maintaining Momentum: Everyday Wrap Prompts to Engage and Empower All Readers
Chapter 6 Finishing With Finesse: Celebratory End-Of-Year Activities
PART 3 - Leveling Up and Maximizing the Impact of Independent Reading
Chapter 7 Leveraging Student Feedback to Strengthen Read and WRAP Routines
Chapter 8 Launching and Leading a Project Lit Chapter
Overtime
Appendix
References
