[etni] Re: book reports

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I agree with Laurie's opinions here - the only things I have to add is the 
following:

1. The importance of setting aside class time for reading cannot be 
emphasized enough - if you don't get them reading IN CLASS for 20 minutes a 
week, you can forget about the whole thing.  And don't tell me it's a waste 
of time - how can 20 minutes of reading in English be a waste of time in an 
EFL classroom!!?????

2. I bring something for those kids who have forgotten their books (a 
magazine, or a few pages of one of the books we have in the library, in 
hopes that they will get into the book, and feel that as long as they have 
started it, they might as well try the rest of it.)

3. A kid who forgets to bring their book more than once gets a letter home 
explaining WHEN they are supposed to bring their library books(it's 
important to make it the same day every week, other wise there is no way 
they will remember to bring the book) , why (for the bagrut grade) and what 
will happen if they do not do all of their book reports (it will affect 
their grade!).  I, too, insist on having them do the bulk of the report in 
the classroom.  If they need more time to finish it at home, no problem, but 
at least by then , I have seen what they are doing and that it is their own 
work.

4. A couple of years ago I started to do the following (after Laurie's 
pajama party stories inspired me). I try to set the reading lesson on a day 
when I know I can get to class a few minutes early. I turn down the lights, 
bring a tape recorder and put on some quiet music, light a candle and 
incense.  MOST important, I immerse myself in my OWN book by the time they 
start walking in the door. The first few times, the kids think I have 
finally gone off the deep end, but they come in quietly and start reading! 
They get used to it, and accept the fact that Adele is really crazy enough 
to be serious about this thing, and since they can't beat me, they join me! 
Granted, there have been some kids who have complained about the incense (in 
which case, I leave it out) and some classes have had problems with my 
choice of music (I let them bring in future, or else, we leave that out, as 
well) but the candle/s, the dim lights and the 20 minutes of quiet reading, 
stay!

After that , the biggest problem is getting them to stop reading after 20 
minutes.

~Adele


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