Inner-Voice Sheet

Many people have asked me why are we spending so much time on the Inner-Voice sheets. As a teacher, it is hard to explain to students why I do what I do without saying the words "because I said so" but I will try to explain. When we read a novel like this, it is hard to see whether students are reading and understanding, or whether students are bored and just looking at the words on the page. Also, when we read to comprehend the text, we lose so much of the potential for getting smarter. The Inner-Voice sheet combines both comprehension and making connections into one.

 For example, if I am reading "The 3 little Pigs", and I understand and remember the story, that is one thing. This is what most teachers focus on and they will say that this is enough for them. However, it is my belief that we need to connect what we are reading to things that we already know so that we can build a strong background of knowledge. The sheet also allows students to ask questions and make predictions. As learners, if we can do these things, then go back and answer them ourselves, it increases the amount of mental processes that we are doing all at once. All of this combined with actual reading, enhances out intelligence must faster than reading and answering simple comprehension questions.

Attached is the Inner-Voice sheet along with two short YouTube videos discussing the uses of making connections while we read.

"Bud, Not Buddy"

We are almost done with reading "Bud, Not Buddy!" I know that many students have really enjoyed reading the story about young Bud who was wandering around during the Great Depression looking for his father. This story allowed many connections for the students has is had a great deal to do with hardships, family issues, friendships, power struggles, and many others. I have had many students ask me if there are any other books that I could suggest so that they could read more about that time and learn more about the people that lived during them. Since the summer is coming on us quickly (YEAH!) I hope that the attached sites help all of us keep from losing all of the learning that we have worked so hard to gain this year. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! http://www.goodreads.com/book/similar/358453-bud-not-buddy http://www.librarypoint.org/bm_kids_bud http://www.tastekid.com/like/Bud,+Not+Buddy