tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post5099047363880268158..comments2024-03-10T19:26:35.256-04:00Comments on Just Jemi: Put Downs or Build Ups?Jemi Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-25238303633398778682014-07-20T18:17:53.395-04:002014-07-20T18:17:53.395-04:00Agnes - exactly! It's such a bizarre kind of s...Agnes - exactly! It's such a bizarre kind of snobbery!<br /><br />Beth - goosebumps! Love it!! I like a wide variety of books, but there are still several genes I don't enjoy. But I love that others enjoy them!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-65535643522204433212014-07-20T17:41:38.900-04:002014-07-20T17:41:38.900-04:00Reading your post gave me … goosebumps! Honestly, ...Reading your post gave me … goosebumps! Honestly, I think almost anything that gets a kid to read is a good thing. I remember some of my friends' sons would only read books from that series, and it helped turn them into proficient readers, who actually like to read. <br /><br />I don't know what attacks you're referring to, but I guess there's always a discussion of some kind. Like you, I have my favourites and others that I don't care for as much, but I try not to put any books down - other than in my book group, where everything is fair game!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01681732058311386672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-42384414112687039762014-07-20T17:33:16.281-04:002014-07-20T17:33:16.281-04:00I had no idea this problem existed… wow. To answer...I had no idea this problem existed… wow. To answer your question, it would be really hard for me to take a person who judges me based on the books I read seriously. Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04735148155885016692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-90103620159342608532014-07-19T08:41:14.520-04:002014-07-19T08:41:14.520-04:00Shelley - I agree completely! I always promise the...Shelley - I agree completely! I always promise the kids they'll love reading by Christmas time - and it almost always works! :)<br /><br />Linda - that's so sad!!! Why does everything come down to numbers? Ridiculous. Studies have proven that 95% of our reading should be at the easy level for us to improve!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-82447404182647593092014-07-18T22:42:06.484-04:002014-07-18T22:42:06.484-04:00My grandkids' elementary school has a program ...My grandkids' elementary school has a program where the kids read a book and take a computerized test on it. They earn points based on the test score and the reading level/difficulty, and there's a contest to see who has the most points in each grade (complete with a weekly top ten list). Sounds encouraging, right? Expect the pressure to read books in higher and higher reading levels ended up killing my grandson's enjoyment of reading. By the way, he loved the Goosebumps series...until he was told they were below his reading level. LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-36786516336275489942014-07-18T14:23:27.254-04:002014-07-18T14:23:27.254-04:00Wow, what an inspiring story! You did such a wonde...Wow, what an inspiring story! You did such a wonderful thing for Amanda. I truly believe any and all kids can get into reading -- there are books (as well as types of books, such as e-books and audio books) out there for everyone. :)Shelley Slyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981620646634240160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-69166678199265241442014-07-16T15:38:48.565-04:002014-07-16T15:38:48.565-04:00Laurel - my response to you seems to have disappea...Laurel - my response to you seems to have disappeared! (sorry) I love that your daughter is comparing those - analytic skills at its best and most natural. Love it!!<br /><br />Crystal - I've always found kids able to self censor without a whole lot of guidance - they truly are amazing. And there a ton of great graphic novels out there! :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-19804531898031271342014-07-16T15:17:12.583-04:002014-07-16T15:17:12.583-04:00There are a few genre's I think you can and pr...There are a few genre's I think you can and probably should steer clear of, but I'm all for finding the book that sets a kid on fire. I'm still looking for that one for my youngest. We've pretty much resorted to graphic novels. Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-37593931156906099192014-07-15T20:59:58.793-04:002014-07-15T20:59:58.793-04:00Medeia - agreed! I love having a kid say 'can ...Medeia - agreed! I love having a kid say 'can you hang on a minute, I HAVE to finish this book!' And I hang on every single time :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-41251368934708705572014-07-15T20:34:00.119-04:002014-07-15T20:34:00.119-04:00What a fantastic story. When a genre or author gri...What a fantastic story. When a genre or author grips a child, they won't stop reading, and this does wonders for non-readers. I never understood the fuss over Goosebumps. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-74912956424371749472014-07-15T11:50:07.745-04:002014-07-15T11:50:07.745-04:00My daughter's teacher last year had a rather l...My daughter's teacher last year had a rather low opinion of graphic novels, which is my girl's favorite genre. Super-visual thinkers like her will always engage more with a story that isn't purely words. I've seen her go on to pick up the text-only version of a book she first read as a graphic novel to compare how the storytelling differs, which is quite high-level analysis for an 11-yo. <br /><br />I agree that responding with encouragements rather than put downs is the best thing for reluctant readers. Heck, I wasn't much of a reader until age 12, when a teacher found my "secret door" (horse stories) that led me into a library of joy. That joy carried me forward to more "high falutin'" reading materials. And now I edit PhD-level literary criticism. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-17251799574008564192014-07-15T10:14:58.953-04:002014-07-15T10:14:58.953-04:00Susanne - I think there's a Home Run book out ...Susanne - I think there's a Home Run book out there for everyone that'll help them be a reader :) And yes, it takes up two full walls of my classroom! :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-28558980317675794462014-07-15T09:12:09.691-04:002014-07-15T09:12:09.691-04:00Jemi, thanks for sharing that success story. Some...Jemi, thanks for sharing that success story. Some kids just need the right person/book to help them get to that place of finding reading enjoyable. 5000 books is a huge library! : )<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-35659588280433199122014-07-14T19:54:02.035-04:002014-07-14T19:54:02.035-04:00Susan - totally agree! Reading for pleasure is pri...Susan - totally agree! Reading for pleasure is priceless!<br /><br />Clarissa - agreed! Parents have the power to decide what a child reads but other than that we can all make our own choices! :)<br /><br />Wendy - I agree - life is to short to fill it with the nay-sayers!<br /><br />Natalie - exactly! The important thing is to get the kids excited about books - the rest falls into place :)<br /><br />Carol - thank you! Reading is such a powerful skill.<br /><br />Nick - I agree. Once they fall in love with books, the rest is easy! :)<br /><br />Jeff - exactly! If it gets a kid reading, it's working!<br /><br />Jess - thanks! Amanda was a great kid and a hard worker!<br /><br />Kelly - thanks so much! Once a kid's been in my class, they always come back to borrow books - better choice than the library :)<br /><br />Ava - that's awesome! I have a bunch of the Matt Christopher sports books too. The hockey ones go well in my class :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-30350576288231489762014-07-14T18:59:15.078-04:002014-07-14T18:59:15.078-04:00Great post, Jemi! It makes me miss teaching. I too...Great post, Jemi! It makes me miss teaching. I too had a huge classroom library. I still bump into a parent every now and again who always reminisces about her son in my class and how he brought home every Matt Christopher sports book I had in that library (which were quite a few.) Non reader to reader by the end of the second semester. He's now a sports journalist. <br /><br />Absolutely need those build ups. In lots of situations!! thanks for sharing your story!!Ava Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-26775251039381001292014-07-14T18:45:31.311-04:002014-07-14T18:45:31.311-04:00You are so right. When I taught third grade, some ...You are so right. When I taught third grade, some parents would be judgy on what their kids were reading on their own at home. I asked if they seemed to enjoy it. And if they did, encourage them. Let them read what they want for fun.<br /><br />5000 books! That is a huge library. I loved reading the success story about "Amanda." Those students are lucky to have you, Jemi!Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-24964852305531853772014-07-14T18:34:34.012-04:002014-07-14T18:34:34.012-04:00I am right there with you and much prefer to have ...I am right there with you and much prefer to have people celebrate reading! There are books for everyone out there and I think variety in a classroom library is especially important. :) How wonderful that Amanda was honest with you and you helped put her on the reading path. Thank goodness she found books that were the right fit for her. <br /><br />Yeah for Goosebumps and wonderful teachers like you. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-58476440765572999912014-07-14T18:29:40.931-04:002014-07-14T18:29:40.931-04:00I remember a children's librarian who suggeste...I remember a children's librarian who suggested the Captain Underpants books for my daughter (she was not a reluctant reader at all, we just needed to find more for her; all the books for her age were below her reading level). "I don't like them very much," the librarian said, "but the kids love them." Sure enough, she loved them.<br /><br />It's fine to share opinions, but we really shouldn't try to make others feel bad for THEIR opinions.JeffOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947660745120963286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-18202146283134937312014-07-14T18:29:12.992-04:002014-07-14T18:29:12.992-04:00I dislike any sort of snobbery or elitism in readi...I dislike any sort of snobbery or elitism in reading choices. With kids, reading anything is better than nothing because it helps their minds expand. If they like it and want to read more then it's all good.Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-51727120363601276872014-07-14T17:07:17.404-04:002014-07-14T17:07:17.404-04:00Kudos to you! It doesn't matter what we read a...Kudos to you! It doesn't matter what we read as long as we read. Without reading we become ignorant. I'm certain this student will always remember you opened up the world for her.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745686632918324803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-73460341036271455152014-07-14T16:56:32.021-04:002014-07-14T16:56:32.021-04:00My daughter used to have terrible taste in books i...My daughter used to have terrible taste in books in grade school, mostly reading the Captain Underpants series or graphic novels. But she read and then found Percy Jackson and other wonderful books. So agree with your approach.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-78358805836384720322014-07-14T16:47:11.382-04:002014-07-14T16:47:11.382-04:00The people you speak of (it's my way or the hi...The people you speak of (it's my way or the highway) positively bore me to death. I'm sure they must love the sound of their own voices ... oh to be so perfect. <br /><br />All I can say is, thank goodness we are all different. And thank goodness for people like you who actually talk some sense.<br /><br />Oh, and good on all the 'Amanda's' in the world too. It takes courage to raise ones hand in class because it separates us from the others.<br /><br />I remember someone saying to me; if there's something or someone (more to the point) negative in your life, get rid of them. And I did. Never been happier :)Just Wendy https://www.blogger.com/profile/05268645629027109282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-1295611660787416702014-07-14T16:36:59.713-04:002014-07-14T16:36:59.713-04:00I think if you don't like a book, don't re...I think if you don't like a book, don't read it. You even have the right to not allow your kids to read it. However, to stop the rest of the world population from reading a certain book is a terrible thing to do. We all have free choice. Ban To Kill A Mockingbird? Seriously? People need to get out more.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-29338730215279195342014-07-14T14:48:41.842-04:002014-07-14T14:48:41.842-04:00My one son became a pleasure reader because of the...My one son became a pleasure reader because of the Harry Potter series. Kids need to read something they enjoy.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913682603555541882.post-3032279248729321432014-07-14T13:48:54.776-04:002014-07-14T13:48:54.776-04:00Lee - that's so completely awesome!! I use pic...Lee - that's so completely awesome!! I use picture books all the time in my classes (up to grade 8) and the kids love them!<br /><br />Karen - awwww! Thanks so much. Your words made my day :)<br /><br />Dezzy - good point! I tend to read aloud the older books they wouldn't choose on their own. The Giver is always a favourite - plus Farley Mowat!<br /><br />Gary - thank you so much - your words mean a lot! How can anyone consider banning To Kill a Mockingbird - it's SUCH a powerful book! One of my all time faves -with so many incredible life lessons! So frustrating!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.com