At Kang Chiao, our goal is to foster a generation of independent readers starting at the very beginning of grade one. Many first graders enter elementary school with years of beloved bedtime stories and read-alouds under their belts. Equipping them with the skills needed to discover even more books they will love is the next step in the development of an independent reader.

　At first, some students may feel frustrated by the limits of their own ability to read and comprehend new stories. We designed our “Let’s Get Hooked on Books” project to help our young readers. This project guides students to understand what they have read, share their favorites with classmates, and discover even more books that have been enjoyed by their peers. It also served as the first graders’ introduction to the school’s Hooked on Books program, which all students participate in.

Reading with Purpose: Strengthening Comprehension

　This project introduced some very simple, yet essential, story elements. These were characters, settings, and events. After teaching students to identify these elements, our early readers are able to understand and remember more of every story they read. We taught students that good readers always stop and ask themselves who the characters are, where they are, and what has happened. They identify these elements in each book they pick up, and foster the habit of mentally reviewing the story and checking for comprehension while reading. As a result, good readers reach the end of the story with a much clearer understanding of what it was all about. It is this understanding that allows them to gleefully reel off the best parts of a story they loved.

Peer Recommendations

　A powerful aspect of the Hooked on Books program is student choice. However, the disappointment from choosing books that are too difficult or boring can be discouraging. The best independent readers choose books that match their interests and ability. With many shared interests and similar reading ability, first graders are the perfect candidates for recommending books to one another! Trying books recommended by their friends engages them and fosters a culture of reading. Our hope is that sharing books and interests can be a theme that unites students as good readers and book lovers forever. Let’s take a look at some of their favorites this year.