Since I’m not doing the school newsletter any more I figured I ought to volunteer for something at the kids’ school because, you know, an extra supply of brownie points never hurts. Not wanting to overextend myself, I chose to do this lunchtime enrichment thing where, during the cold winter months, parents run small activity groups as an alternative to the post-lunch recess. Half an hour a week for six weeks? Sure, I can do that! Typical activities are arts & crafts, board games, science, origami, knitting, yoga… whatever parents are interested in. Well, you know what I’m interested in — I offered to do “quiet reading.” Ha ha! Nine fourth-grade girls (including Lena, of course) signed up.
At first I had a vague idea that I might take a poll and see if the girls would be interested in all reading the same book and discussing it. However, within two minutes I realized it wouldn’t be necessary. Each little bookworm had brought her own book, and for half an hour there was utter silence in the room as we all sat and read. We were all startled when the bell rang.
I had planned to bring Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which I am still loving although it’s taking me a while to get through. Part of the problem is that the battle chapters are just unbelievably gruesome. Still, that was my plan, but then the mail came just as I was about to leave, and in it was the latest issue of One Story. And the one story in it was by Andrea Barrett. Andrea Barrett! Who writes historical fiction about biologists! What a perfect break from Captain Corelli!
NOT! Barrett’s story, “Archangel,” turned out to be a totally gruesome WWII story. Different front (Russia instead of Greece) but equally gruesome. I don’t recommend it. I do, however, recommend “quiet reading” with fourth-grade bookworms if you’re looking to rack up some brownie points with the PTO.
6 Comments
Quiet reading sure beats having to stand outside in the cold supervising the playground!
I remember a while back you blogged here about starting a subscription to “One Story”. So, what do you think so far? Do you think it’s worthwhile to subscribe?
There is something very comforting in a room quiet with only the sound of page turning and heartbeats. This sounds like a delightful time! What books were they all reading?
Oh yes, Val, I DEFINITELY recommend One Story! In fact, I shouldn’t have said I didn’t recommend “Archangel.” The story was terrific — only the timing was bad! One Story really does solve the problem I complained about in that earlier post. Because each story stands alone, just like a novel (there aren’t even any ads), you DO know “where you are” and can get a good sense of the plot’s arc.
Shoot, Care… one girl had a Goosebumps, another had Troll Mill (IIRC), Lena had a re-read which I can’t remember… next week I’ll write ‘em down! And I agree. Very comforting.
What a cool activity! Until E was born I was helping with ‘morning reading’ which is where I listened to children read their ‘home readers’ one-to-one. Especially aimed at ‘reading recovery’ candidates.. or they were in small groups (of the same reading level) reading aloud (all the same reader) using peer support skills to assist each other, with some adult supervision. it was grat fun – especially the one-to-one stuff. D’Arcy was a reluctant reader in kindergarten, but he loved it when I came to ‘do reading’ and always wanted to read to me then.
How refreshing to hear that students actually want to read. Even my AP students won’t read unless I threaten them with a reading quiz.
Just dropped in to say hi, Julie. Hope all is well!