Alina Filipescu is a teacher who radiates love for her students. She is also a teacher who commands enormous respect from them and, as a result, she is an absolute master at classroom management. I asked Alina to allow me to publish this preview of her coming blog post which will thoroughly describe her entire FVR program. I will link to it once she publishes it. In the meantime, enjoy her spot-on advice for inspiring students to read more in their second language.
Here is how Alina describes her accountability system:
This is what ACCOUNTABILITY looks like when implementing a reading program (SSR/FVR). 1. Students turn in a book they finished reading w/ a sticky note.
2. The most important item on the note is rating the book (1-5 stars) just like the critics do. Students may also write an optional comment about the book.3. Teacher keeps track of how many books each students reads. I have a list with student names and names of books. I highlight a square on the list when a student finishes a book.4. Remove sticky notes and either put them on the inside cover of a book for the next student to read (this is what I did last year, all year long) OR post the sticky notes by class, on a wall (this is what I’ve implemented this year).
I have already posted some of these ideas (along w/ Bryce Hedstrom), but this is my complete list on accountability. I NEVER have students do summaries or other dreaded assignments after reading a book. I also share some of their reviews before we do silent reading on Fridays, in order to inspire and motivate others. I’ve noticed that even more students are writing short comments since I’ve been doing this. It’s a simple, yet very efficient way to promote the books.
I teach six classes. What I envision based on the “table” image above is that I will have across the top either all of my book titles or some subset of all of them (as I may have too many titles), and student names along the left axis. When they complete a book, they (or I) fill in their corresponding box/space with something…a check? Their rating 1-5 of the book? It’s a bit hard to see. Thanks
Also, I created about 9 books last semester using your book template. For those reading this, his template is 1. awesome, and 2., only 1 piece of paper, folded. I have read you to say somewhere that these should be re-read to allow students to recycle. Do those “itty bitty” books go in the list along the top?
The accountability table is Alina’s idea, and I have never implemented it. I agree, with the itty bitty books there can be so many that space would be an issue. Maybe the solution is to have two tables of books, one dedicated to the itty bitty books that will probably be read more in first semester. Same with those teachers who use A-Z printable books.
But actually, with just 9 books… I would add them to the main grid.
Your other question regarding what to fill in– I would NOT bother with a grade or even a rating there. I would just fill in the square to indicate that the student finished reading the book..
Hi, Mike:
Happy New Year!
I teach six classes. What I envision based on the “table” image above is that I will have across the top either all of my book titles or some subset of all of them (as I may have too many titles), and student names along the left axis. When they complete a book, they (or I) fill in their corresponding box/space with something…a check? Their rating 1-5 of the book? It’s a bit hard to see. Thanks
Also, I created about 9 books last semester using your book template. For those reading this, his template is 1. awesome, and 2., only 1 piece of paper, folded. I have read you to say somewhere that these should be re-read to allow students to recycle. Do those “itty bitty” books go in the list along the top?
(link to his entry about creating little classroom story books: https://mygenerationofpolyglots.com/2017/06/18/how-to-add-15-new-beginner-level-texts-to-your-classroom-library-every-week/, find the blue word “template” for the link)
Best,
Greg Sanchez (Greg XS on FB)
Hey Greg,
The accountability table is Alina’s idea, and I have never implemented it. I agree, with the itty bitty books there can be so many that space would be an issue. Maybe the solution is to have two tables of books, one dedicated to the itty bitty books that will probably be read more in first semester. Same with those teachers who use A-Z printable books.
But actually, with just 9 books… I would add them to the main grid.
Your other question regarding what to fill in– I would NOT bother with a grade or even a rating there. I would just fill in the square to indicate that the student finished reading the book..