Choosing a Book

Teachers must help their pupils to choose a book according to their level of reading fluency.

Try the "Five Finger Rule"

It outlines a general idea of how many words a reader should be able to read on each page.

• 0-1 unknown words = book is too easy

• 2-3 unknown words = book is just right

• 4-5 unknown words = book is too difficult

In other words, allow your pupil to choose a book according to his interests, but then ask him to read the first page to you aloud. If there are 5 or more words that he stumbles over or appears not to understand, the book is too difficult for him and he must be encouraged to choose an easier one.

Reading books for pleasure means just that. It's not pleasurable to have to ask your teacher, parent or friend what a word means or how it should be read correctly, and the likelihood is, that the child will simply give up on reading after a few attempts. If he reads a book that is a drop below his level, he will not only enjoy himself, but he'll be motivated to read another one and another. This is our aim. Not to make reading just another activity he has to participate in, but one that he'll enjoy and succeed in.

Check out guidelines and materials kindly provided for us by Lori Roth, below. Lori gives helpful suggestions as to how we can introduce our pupils to the English Library and how to help them decide what kinds of books appeal to them.

Read the following for more guidelines on this topic:

https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/strategies-to-engage-students-as-readers/helping-students-choose-books-for-reading-pleasure

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/tips-to-help-a-student-find-book-rebecca-alber

https://www.professionalpractice.org/about-us/selecting_just_right_books/

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/help-kids-to-pick-right-books