What Kids Are Reading - Questioning the Data

I have been working on a post about Accelerated Reader.  It was not planned as a post criticizing AR, but rather my thoughts as a teacher surviving in a school which incorporates AR into their reading program.  Yesterday I came across a tweet about a post on the Renaissance Learning blog.  My AR post will have to wait because this one needs to be written first.

Renaissance Learning published the 2015 edition of "What Kids Are Reading and Why It Matters."  If you have not seen this, then I encourage you to look at it quickly before reading more. The beginning of the document explains how reading skill acquisition is closely related to daily practice and reading volume.  I don't think any teacher would argue with that point.  

But as I read more, a red flag went up because this data comes only from students who use AR.  I find this interesting.

 Mining data on daily independent reading practice and achievement from millions of students who use Accelerated Reader allows us to address important questions about independent reading practice, including what makes it so vital for helping children become successful readers.

According to their own research, there are three variables to independent reading which influence reading growth: comprehension, volume, and challenge.  I would agree with this.  They also state:

When we examine less skilled or struggling readers, we see that those who read a lot of appropriately challenging books at high comprehension tended to experience accelerated growth throughout the school year and thus close gaps. (Bold print is my emphasis.)

What they call challenging text is one part of their research which concerns me.  I believe in challenging my students, but how does one define challenging text?   How do we decide which books are appropriately challenging?  Do we go by AR reading levels?  Do we go by the number of points assigned to a book, or do we go by professional judgement?

It is my understanding that AR defines challenge by ZPD or a range of recommended reading levels for students.  According to the reports from AR that I use in my classroom, a student's ZPD ranges below and slightly above the grade equivalency.  For example, I have a student at a 6.2 grade equivalency, but her ZPD is 4.1 to 6.3.  How does this play into appropriately challenging text?  Is the majority of challenging text below their grade equivalency?  Do we take into consideration the maturity level of the student when determining challenging text?

This report also includes a "bona fide list of popular books kids are reading by grade and gender."  As I read this, I remembered this data was coming only from the students who use the AR program and who took a test.  It does not include non AR readers or readers who chose the book simply for enjoyment.  Yes, the red flag was waving.

I moved down to the top 25 most popular books by grade level.  Since I teach 6th grade, I went to that list first.  It was no surprise that several books from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series were on the list as well as Harry Potter, because those books are popular in my classroom too.

I then began looking at the AR reading levels.  They say that challenge is important to reading growth, but not one book on the list was above 5.7 for 6th grade.  I am not saying those books are not challenging for my students, because many of them are.  I am just questioning the data and find it interesting.

I believe independent reading should be for enjoyment first and foremost.  Because of this, my students are not strictly tied to reading levels.  I only use them as guidelines and not requirements.

According to AR levels, this book and all of the books in this series

ATOS reading level 5.2

 are at a higher level than this book.

ATOS reading level 4.8

That is why I don't pay much attention to their book levels.  Again, I am only questioning their data and their definition of challenging books.

Looking at the high school average book levels, two things from the report puzzled me.  One was the average book levels for each high school grade.

9th grade - 5.5
10th grade - 5.6
11th grade - 5.6
12 grade - 6.7

Again, they say challenge is important, but all of these average book levels are well below grade level.  The only reason why the 12th grade was so high was because it included Frankenstein, Hamlet, and Macbeth which are all above 10.9.  I don't focus solely on book levels, but this data raises many questions about their claim that challenge is important.

This leads me to the second part of this data which puzzles me.  Several classic books made the top 25 on the most popular lists for high school.  To me, popular means the books kids want to read.  I had to ask myself, how many of these classics were assigned reading and students had to take the AR test.  If you think about how many high schools read these as assigned texts, then of course they are going to show up on the most popular list. That does not mean students chose them or enjoyed reading them.  It simply means they took the test.

I know AR is a controversial subject, and many do not agree with me.  I am OK with that.  I respect all opinions, but this report should prompt valuable and much needed conversations among teachers who use AR and should also cause teachers to ask questions about the data put out by Renaissance Learning.

My next post will be about surviving in the AR world.  In the meantime, happy reading!

Making a Difference - Continued

I went to school today with a different attitude.  My day started off as it usually does. Hit the alarm, eat my peanut butter toast and chocolate milk, read my emails and blog posts.

As I read down to the end Colby Sharp's post, I stopped - all because of a simple paper plate, and it completely changed my outlook on my day.

Yesterday, I wrote a post for Spiritual Journey Thursday about making a difference. There are many days when I ask, does what I do really make a difference?  Today, I was reminded of the answer.

A former student of Colby's very tragically died last week.  I first heard about it from a tweet he sent.  Today, as he celebrated with Ruth Ayres, he celebrated the life of the young girl.

But for me it was a celebration of making a difference.  When he had this beautiful young girl in class, he awarded her with a "Super Star Award," an award made from a paper plate.  When he attended the funeral, the paper plate award was there on a display.  Obviously, that paper plate made a difference in her life, or she would not have kept it all these years.

So, this morning, I have been giving out extra smiles, making it a point to speak to certain students and asking about their day, and yes, I even gave a little extra time to students who didn't have their assignment done.  We never know when that little something extra will make such a difference in the life of a student.  We never know if we will have another chance.

Thank you Colby and thank you Lauryn for showing me that yes, we do make a difference - one student at a time.

Make a Difference

Every Thursday Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, creates a place where readers can share their spiritual journeys.

Be a difference maker!  

When I started playing around with this post, I landed up in the middle of the 12 disciples.  You may think that is a strange place to end up, but think about it.  The 12 disciples were quite the difference makers.  But I am sure they didn't think that. Imagine Andrew, sitting in his boat, doing what he does every day - fishing.  The next thing he knows, he his dropping his nets and following the one they call Jesus of Nazareth.

Here were twelve men with their flaws and shortcomings, going about their daily routine.  They were ordinary people, just like you and me.  All of sudden, their lives were about to change in ways I am sure they never imagined.  They were asked to spread the news of the gospel to the world - they were asked to be a difference maker.

And here I am doing what I do every day, guiding young minds and wondering, "Do I really make a difference?"  

I believe that in many ways, we are all called to be difference makers, just like the 12 disciples.  But do we answer that call?  Do we hear God's whisper? Do we feel His nudge?

In this season of gratitude and thanksgiving, my thoughts lean toward making a difference.  But I need to do this during my ordinary days in ordinary ways.   Some days it may be something simple, such as giving someone a smile or a hug.  Other times it might be something bigger.  God sees all of these.  I believe that in His eyes, it does't matter if we are a fisherman or a teacher, we can all make a difference in this world.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Instant Inspiration

Day 7 and I am still going strong with @TeachThought for a November blogging challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  Please click here if you would like to join in the reflection.

November 7 - What new learning has inspired you in your career?

In the short-term, I would say Twitter has been my latest inspiration.  The learning that takes place in a simple 140 character message is amazing.  Every day I read a tweet which makes me think and reflect.

Or I see an idea or a new way of doing something that I want to try in my classroom.

Or I hear about a new book that I just have read and place in my classroom.

Or I learn about a new piece of technology or app.

The teachers I have virtually met have merged into a PLN that I never dreamed of having.  It is instant inspiration, and it has totally changed the way I learn.

My Favorite Quote, My Mantra

Woo Hoo!  I am on my sixth day with @TeachThought for a November blogging challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  Please click here if you would like to join in the reflection.

I am a teacher of reading.  I am a lover of books.  Building relationships with my readers is key to creating a classroom where reading is a priority.   I believe in the power of books.  

Several years ago, I was reading Igniting a Passion for Reading by Steven Layne and came across this quote.

"Never underestimate the power of a great book in the hands of a teacher who knows how to use it."

This has become my mantra.  It is what I believe.  Students need teachers who read and use books in a positive way.  They do not need rewards, or reading logs, or consequences for not reading.  They need to know books are powerful.  Sometimes it just takes the right teacher to ignite that passion.

My Strengths

This month I am joining fellow bloggers and @TeachThought for a November blogging challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  Please click here if you would like to join in the reflection.

November 5 - What are your strengths?  Which are you most grateful for?

Talking about my strengths is not easy for me to do.  I think this is because I am my worst critic and I am extremely hard on myself.  I tend to look at my weaknesses and many times focus too much on those.

Because I am such a critic, I am also a constant learner which I think is a strength.  I am a teacher who wants to continuously learn new things.  Buying professional development books is an addiction, but there is always something I want to be better at doing.  

Being reflective is also important to me.  Looking to see what worked and what didn't work and then making changes is also a part of my learning process.

I love going to workshops.  I feel that if I can take one thing back and implement it in my classroom, then it was worth the money.  Many people laugh at how much I am on Twitter, but it is because I am always looking for ways to learn.  

I have been called a nerd because of my thirst to learn - but I am proud of it!

A "Heroic" Teacher

This month I am joining fellow bloggers and @TeachThought for a November blogging challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  Please click here if you would like to join in the reflection.

November 4 - What was the nicest gift you ever received from a student/parent/colleague?

As a teacher, I have received my share of candles, body wash or lotion, or flavored popcorn.  I have always been grateful for all gifts, but I will have to say that any handwritten note has to be my favorite.

Last year while I was reading to my students, the word "heroic" was in the book.  For some reason, I just could not pronounce that word.  No matter how hard I focused on it, I kept saying the "oy" sound.  The kids were laughing right along with me.  It just would not come out of my mouth.  That little joke carried on for the entire school year.

At the end of the school year, I received a gift card (from Barnes & Noble - my favorite!) and in it was a note from my student.  This student and I shared a very special reading relationship.  He loved to read and I loved sharing books with him. Here is his note.  Being called a "heroic" teacher is something I will always treasure - not because it is true.  But because he remembered.

Capturing Gratitude

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.

A little while back Terje at Just for a Month, sent me a tweet challenging me to capture gratitude by listing 100 things I am grateful for.  I kept putting it off until I read a tweet Sunday.  This tweet intrigued me.  I followed the link to the story of Brittany Maynard. Brittany was a young woman who had a terminal brain tumor and chose to end her life on her own terms before the cancer did it for her.  This story grabbed my heart and did not let go.

This post is not about what she did.  It is about what she said.  I am sure being face to face with one's mortality would be the catalyst to change and the inspiration to very deep thinking.  As I read her obituary, I was mesmerized by her profound words.

It is people who pause to appreciate life and give thanks who are happiest.  If we change our thoughts, we change our world!  Love and peace to you all." ~ Brittany Maynard

Her words made me question whether I am pausing or am I racing through this one life I have.  Am I assuming the people in my life know I am thankful, or am I letting them know before it is too late.  I like to think I am a grateful person, but I know there are many times when I do not pause.

Reading Brittany's words gave me a nudge.  She knew her days were numbered.  I know my days in this life are numbered too.  The only difference is she made the best of those days she had left.  She chose to change her world by changing her thoughts.  

Today, I pause.  

                        Today, I thank.  

Today, I reflect.

                        Today, I challenge you to do the same.

Here is my list of 100 things I am grateful for...in no particular order.

1. my husband of almost 25 years
2. my daughter
3. my son
4. my sisters
5. my brother
6. my niece
7. my nephew
8. my mom
9. my grandma
10. my grandma's noodles
11. the time I had with my mother and father-in-law
12. my log cabin-like house
13. sunny days
14. blue skies
15. pool days
16. the four seasons
17. comfy pants
18. books
19. reading glasses
20. flannel sheets
21. silent snowfalls
22. smiles
23. fresh peaches
24. a clean house
25. writing days
26. reading days
27. Slice of Life
28. fellow bloggers
29. my students
30. my principal
31. my teacher-friends
32. falling leaves
33. the smell of freshly cut grass
34. Twitter
35. bubble baths
36. EJDs (my high school friends)
37. new notebooks
38. technology
39. sticky notes
40. yellow highlighters
41. uni-ball pens
42. porches
43. quilts
44. rocking chairs
45. vacation days
46. vegetable soup
47. pillows (I sleep with three)
48. country music
49. book stores
50. first fire of the season
51. snow days
52. khakis
53. my PLN
54. sunsets
55. sunrises
56. cold drinks 
57. sleeping in
58. black-eyed susans
59. God's grace
60. my health
61. the beach
62. sunscreen
63. freedom
64. my spiritual journey
65. hot showers
66. our local produce market
67. comfy shoes
68. holidays
69. laughter
70. electric blankets
71. doctors
72. medicine
73. our middle school Fellowship of Christian Athletes
74. Next Chapter Book Club
75. people with disabilities
76. life lessons
77. people who can sing
78. homegrown sweet corn
79. homegrown strawberries
80. my teacher's bible study group
81. sweatshirts
82. freshly baked bread
83. the smell of coffee
84. mentors
85. McDonald's french fries
86. celebrations
87. watching my daughter coach basketball
88. watching my son play his guitar
89. cleansing rains
90. passion
91. the color green
92. family dinners
93. the smell of Christmas trees
94. opportunities
95. conservative values
96. giggles
97. sprinklers
98. my ability to cook
99. memories
100. words

This month I have joined fellow bloggers and @teachthought for a November challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  This month is a wonderful time for reflective thankfulness, but after reading Brittany's story, I want to have an attitude of gratitude not just for this month, but every day.

Attitude with Gratitude Catch-up Posts

This month I am joining fellow bloggers and @TeachThought for a November blogging challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  Please click here if you would like to join in the reflection.

Since this is a catch-up post, I am writing three days worth today.  They are short, but I am caught up!  Hopefully this won't become a trend!  I, like most of you, really do not have the time, but please check back Tuesday for my Slice of Life to read about why I decided to participate.

November 1 - What are the best aspects of being a teacher?

For me, the best aspect of being a teacher is the relationships with the students. When I was student teaching, I wondered if my supervising teacher even liked kids. To be in that environment for eight weeks was difficult.  I learned then, that creating those relationships was important to not only having a successful classroom but also to being a happy teacher.  My students make me laugh, make me cry, make me think, and make me happy.  

I was asked a similar question during an interview and my answer was, "The kids, of course!"  I am convinced that answer helped me get the job.

November 2 - What is one small delight in the day that you always look forward to?

My small delight at school is my third period dark chocolate M&M's.  That is my prep period and I keep a bag in my desk drawer.  It is that perfect pick-me-up!

My small delight at home is my time spent reading in the tub!  My "bath time" has been sacred since my kids were little...and they are 22 and 18.  That's a lot of bubbles.  

November 3 - What are you most proud of to date in your teaching career?

Actually becoming a teacher is what am most proud of.  I returned to school at the age of 40.  Prior to that I was a retail district manager and a stay-at-home mom.  The decision to return to school was not an easy one, but one I have never regretted. Sitting in a classroom with 20 year olds was not easy either, but so much fun!  

That decision has led me down a wonderful path.  I never imagined I would be where I am today, challenging myself to reach higher and dream bigger.  

Celebrate Good Times, Come On! - 10/25

Each Saturday  Ruth Ayres invites us to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week. Looking for celebrations has certainly improved my outlook on my week.  For that, I am certainly grateful to Ruth and to all of you who choose to celebrate with me.

Today I celebrate a list of fall break celebrations!

shopping with my sister and daughter

new fall clothes

sleeping in

staying up late

reading books

blueberry muffins

flannel sheets

electric blankets

clean bathroom

laundry done before Sunday night

sunny days

falling leaves

apple cider

apple donuts

I have enjoyed my three school days off last week.  It was a time of relaxation and celebration.

I also celebrate this day in 1986 - my first date with my husband!  We went to dinner and then watched the World Series 28 years ago!

Have a great week and may you have many celebrations along the way.

Grace from the God of Again

Every Thursday Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, creates a place where readers can share their spiritual journeys.  We are a small group, but the learning and sharing always inspires me.

When I decided to participate in this weekly post,  I was very hesitant because I felt I would be exposing a vulnerability, a weakness.  When I think of the word journey, I think of something continuous, and my spiritual journey has been anything but continuous.  My journey has been full of pit stops along the way.  Many stops and yes, I have even been in the pits.

When I read the topic for this week, I was worried once again.  What can I possibly write about grace!  Searching for some type of inspiration, I came across some things written by Beth Moore.  The first post was titled The God of Again.

This post made me think about my journey and all of my stops and starts.  That is when I realized that because God is a God of Again, He not only allows me to keep coming back to Him, but he keeps coming back to me...again and again.  His grace reaches out to me in those pits, pulls me out, and leads me back onto the path where I need to be...back on my journey.

This journey has not been easy for me, and I know I have veered far off the path.  My path may be different and it may have many restarts, but it is mine. Looking back at where I have been is just as important as to where I am going. I know that it is grace from the God of Again that continues to lead me and will keep me company along the way.

Thank you friends for letting me come along with you on Spiritual Journey Thursday.  You have helped me grow in ways you will never know.  Your words touch my heart and encourage my spirit.

I leave you with another post from Beth Moore.  It is a list of many metaphors of grace.

A Happy Kind of Exhausted

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.

It is Monday night and I am exhausted.  It could be because it was a long day at school, ending with an open house.  It could be because I am trying to function on about five hours of sleep.  And no, I do not have a newborn or sick kids and no, I am not sick myself.

I am exhausted because I stayed up reading a book.  It has been so long since I have done this, and I have missed my midnight rendezvous.  It seems reading and writing has taken a back seat since school started.  So, yes, I am exhausted, but it is a happy kind of exhausted.  The kind I can only get from staying up late reading.  

I explained to my students why I was so tired.

"I stayed up until after midnight reading this new book."

"You did that for fun?!"

"Absolutely!"

I was lost in the book and was in the zone where time just seemed to stand still and the world stopped.  Before I knew it, the clock was turning past 12:00 and my husband was rolling over with a groan. But I kept on reading.

What book captivated my attention and stole my sleep?
  

This is such a gripping story of Hurricane Katrina and the destruction it caused in the lives of its residents.  This story took me down to the Lower Nines of New Orleans to watch those flood waters rush into their lives, taking with it everything Armani owned.  This book has been on several Newbery prediction lists, and I am confident it belongs there.   

I am not finished with the book yet, but it is great to be exhausted again.

Dreams Do Come True

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.

Today is a day I have been looking forward to for a long time.  It is the beginning of what I think will be a wonderful experience.  Today we had our first meeting for the Next Chapter Book Club.  Those of you who read my blog regularly know how much this means to me.

The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) was established in 2002 by the Ohio State University Nisonger Center.  NCBC is a community literacy program for adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The program provides them with opportunities to be part of a group activity and to build social connections within bookstores, coffee shops, and cafés.  The book clubs consist of five to eight members with disabilities and two volunteer facilitators.  There are over 100 book clubs in North America and Europe.  Now there is one in Vincennes, Indiana.

I heard about NCBC on Jaana's Writing Blog, and last March I was trained to be a program coordinator.  Our path to launch this book club has contained many bumps, but my dream finally became a reality today.  There are five ladies in our book club, and each one brings her own specialness to the group.  There is Carolyn loves to swim at the YMCA and enjoys reading biographies.  Suzie who loves children, especially babies.  Maria who works five days a week, has a boyfriend and listens to mystery audio books.  Becca who loves to go bowling rounds out the group.

I get to share my love of reading with my students each and every day.  It is the best part of being a teacher of reading.  But sharing my love of reading to people with disabilities has brought a new joy.  The best part of the meeting was when one of them said, "This was fun!  I think I want to do it again."

Literacy should have no boundaries or limits, whether it be age, poverty or ability.  It should be literacy for life - every life. ~ Leigh Anne Eck

Hope

Every Thursday Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, creates a place where readers can share their spiritual journeys.

I am always amazed when Holly chooses the theme, how that word creeps its way into my days.  Maybe I go looking for it, or maybe it finds me.  This week's theme of hope was no exception.

Monday evening I finished a book, The Doll Graveyard by Lois Ruby.  You may be wondering what this has to do with a spiritual journey, but keep reading.  This is a very creepy read, but has a wonderful message - contrary to some critics.

Shelby, the main character moves to an old family house and finds a doll graveyard filled with dolls which belonged to a little girl named Sadie who lived in the house a long time ago.  Sadie was filled with anger because she thought she was not worthy of her mother's love.  Shelby is filled with anger because her parents have divorced.

Shelby finds a doll and wonders why it was never buried with the rest of them.  The doll actually represents what would have been Sadie's adulthood.  Sadie dies at a young age, and before she died, she asked that the doll not be buried, but instead asked someone to hide the doll, "where a worthy person would find her and understand what swelled in Sadie's heart at that moment when her anger turned to hope."  

There are many times when I feel like Sadie, and I don't feel worthy of God's love.  I make mistakes.  I feel anger.  I say things I shouldn't say.  I am not easy to live with.  I am a Sadie.

But we are all worthy of God's love, and it is through hope where I find my worth.  It is that hope which sustains my faith and feeds my hunger and desire to become a better person and become closer to God.

When I started reading this book, I never imagined it would be part of a Spiritual Journey post.  Many critics say there isn't a clear message and the author doesn't wrap everything up in the way many readers would like.  For me, it was a perfect message.  

When I let go of those feelings that weigh me down, hope rises and I am filled with God's love.  It is that feeling of hope that reassures me that I...am...worthy.

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.

This week as I was searching through my tubs of books looking for a picture book I wanted to use for a lesson, I came across this book.  Just by looking at the book, I could not recall which book it was or from where it came.  It certainly was not familiar.

I pulled it out and looked at the spine and realized it was a Cynthia Rylant book.  Then I remembered how this book came to be mine.   Our school library in my previous school occasionally weeds out books, and teachers are first in line to take them.  When I saw this was a Cynthia Rylant book, I immediately grabbed it because I knew I could use it in a lesson at some point in time.  

Today, I opened the book and two things caught my eye.  The first one was written at the top of the title page.   "Not AR."  You see, some people have this ridiculous idea that if it is not AR, then kids can't read it.  I know, pretty sad.  I am quite confident this is one of the reasons why it was discarded.

Then I looked toward the bottom of the page and much to my delight, I found that it was a signed copy from 1986!  I do not remember noticing this when I first choose the book.  I am sure I only looked at the title and author and knew I wanted it, but did not open the book.  It has taken me several months to discover this wonderful message written inside.  What a treasure for me and for my students!

Celebrate Good Times, Come On! - 10/4

Each Saturday  Ruth Ayres invites us to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week. Looking for celebrations has certainly improved my outlook on my week.  For that, I am certainly grateful to Ruth and to all of you who choose to celebrate with me.

This week I am celebrating a few small things which have made a big difference in my week.

Early this week I received this email from a student I had last year.  It made my reading heart smile.

Thursday I emailed my principal and asked him if there was an extra book case no one was using.  I was hesitant to ask since I am a new teacher.  I explained how I have been buying and will continue to buy books at a higher level to update my classroom library for this new grade level.  It was delivered by the end of the day! Watch out credit card!

I celebrate administrators who listen compassionately.  Friday I met with our new assistant principal.  I asked to meet with her because of my rising level of frustration. I am having difficulty moving from the amount of instructional time I had in the elementary level to the amount of time at the middle school level.  I feel so much better today while planning for next week.

Our class Twitter was featured in our high school newspaper.  Here is the link and the article is on the back page.  My son's band is featured on the front page too!

I celebrate little things - an email, a bookcase, a listening ear, and a high school newspaper.

Have a great week and may you find many things to celebrate along the way!