[CALIBK12] Directed SSR need

[Jo Avery]

What they are asking of you is definitely not SSR as we know it.  Given what their goals are, I would suggest that the departments make up their own lists  starting with the bibliographies from their textbooks.  You could add to that by searching out the titles on the CDE site http://www2.cde.ca.gov/scripts/texis.exe/webinator/search?query=recommended%20reading&submit=GO

I still have a couple of books from the dept of ed titled things like "Literature for the Visual and Performing Arts" and "Recommended Literature Grades Nine to Twelve."  Perhaps if they know the recommendations come from the state, they might be more willing to consider adding fiction to their collections.

Start small - but keep working toward independent selection, the addition of fiction, and talk to admin about making it a school wide initiative.  Our principal will randomly visit classrooms to sit and read with them!

Good luck.
Jo Avery, Librarian Media Teacher

El  Dorado High School
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-3634 ext. 1026
http://cougar.eduhsd.k12.ca.us/Library/index.html




From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Randy de Jong
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 9:23 AM
To: Calibk12
Subject: [CALIBK12] Directed SSR need

I need your wisdom, advice, and help. I have been given the assignment to find ways to get directed SSR functioning in my high school. The obstacles: 1) the students do not get to select what they read except if the teacher offers a selection (this still does not give them a truly free choice)  2) It must be non-fiction 3) a large number of the staff do not read during this time 4) some staff really do not do it because it is pure discipline. The request was to find materials that will be applicable to each subject area so that the students will be better prepared to comprehend and respond to the type of language in each area of the CSTs. My first response was to suggest that the students be given the choice of reading material-I was shut down. Now I need help finding these materials and in such a variety to offer at least some choice to the students. I also need to find materials that build vocabulary that is used in the released test questions and items. What have you done to get the willing support and participation of the staff and students? I have suggested even beginning with reading aloud to classes with the most reluctant readers. I have been able to capture the interest of almost all the students that I read to at all levels. I am also going back to review any research posts (from Leslie Farmer) that apply and will seek other information or studies that pertain. Thanks in advance. I will post a hit list.

Randy de Jong
Teacher Librarian
South High School
1101 Planz Rd.
Bakersfield, CA 93304
jdejong at bak.rr.com<mailto:jdejong at bak.rr.com>
661-679-4022
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.sjsu.edu/pipermail/calibk12/attachments/20081024/bcad1ea8/attachment.html