At the Forest North Library, students in Kindergarten and first grade check out books from the Everybody section- that includes picture books, “readers” that have limited vocabularies perfect for newly independent readers, and a selection of nonfiction books.
In first or second grade, students start focusing on these “readers” to increase reading comprehension, vocabulary and stamina. These books are marked in the forest north library with dots on their spine.
Green dot books are meant for the earliest of independent readers. They use picture clues and repetition to help new readers. They have lots of blank space to make words clearer, and simple vocabulary. Examples are books by Dr. Seuss, or the “Elephant and Piggie” series by mo willems.
Blue dot books are still readers, with limited vocabulary, but are longer and more difficult versions of green dot books. These readers usually have 3 chapters in each book, more complex words and concepts, have more words per page, and the words are in a smaller font.
Yellow dot books are readers but are real books (nonfiction). The most popular yellow dot books are about animals (as pictured) or graphic novels, which are like extended comics, and are shelved as 741.5 according to the dewey decimal system.
In order to motivate our students to read books that are just right for them, and to meet each student’s varying reading needs, the rainbow reading challenge customizes a reading experience for each student. Students will complete colored bookmarks (green, blue, yellow, and also red, which are chapter books novels written on a 2nd/3rd grade reading level).
Students have been oriented on the rainbow reading challenge in the library and have started checking out books already. Students who finish 3 different bookmarks attend a rainbow reading challenge party, and are able to check out books anywhere in the library, because once they are able to read these kinds of books, they will be ready for more difficult fiction & nonfiction texts.
Please encourage your child to accomplish their reading rainbow challenge goals to increase their reading comprehension, vocabulary & stamina. The rainbow reading challenge also helps students learn how to find books in a library, how books are organized in a library, and how to use the dewey decimal system. It also exposes them to books they may have not noticed or read before.
First grade has just started their challenge, but many second graders have already completed the challenge and are checking out books anywhere in the library. Students that finished 3 or 4 bookmarks were invited to a special celebration in the library! We ate rainbow sherbet, received prize packs with crazy straws, "gold coins" (the treasure at the end of the rainbow!), bracelets, and students who completed all 4 bookmarks received a free paperback book to keep! We had a blast at our Rainbow Celebration- hope to see many more students at the party next year as well.
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