How do you choose a "Good Fit Book" for independent reading?

Here are some tips:

For very early readers in books with only a few sentences on a page: 

Use the "Goldilocks rule".  Think about the last three fingers on your hand as bears. In turn, when you get to a hard or tricky word, fold down first your "Papa Bear" finger (tallest), then your "Mama Bear" finger, and finally your "Baby Bear" finger (pinkie). If you get to the three bears on one page, the book is too hard for independent reading and the child will need assistance to read it.

For more advanced readers with many paragraphs on a page:

You can use an adaptation of the Goldilocks rule called the Five Finger Rule. Each time the reader gets to a tricky word (one they can't pronounce, or don't know the meaning of), fold down a finger. If you have folded down all five fingers by the time you get to the end of the page, again the book is too difficult for reading without assistance. A child may be motivated by high interest to plow on, but comprehension will likely be compromised. A steady diet of books in the too difficult range will eventually discourage readers. (This is comparable to what most adults experience if they had to read a steady diet of a tax preparation manuals).

For those looking for a mathematical guide..."Good Fit" books for independent reading are books the reader can read with 98-100% accuracy.

The I PICK acronym guide may assist all readers in choosing "Good Fit Books".

I choose a book.

Purpose- Why do I want to read it?
Interest- Does it interest me?
Comprehend- Am I understanding what I read?
Know- I know most of the words.

Happy Reading to you all as the darker days of November are here.

Welcome back to school!

     There have been a lot of changes in the Learning Center.  Mrs. Williams retired at the end of last year, but Ms. Barrett and I are still here.  We have welcomed Melanie Westenfeld as a teacher assistant in the Learning Center.  Mrs. Westenfeld has been a well-respected member of our HES staff for several years.  We are excited to have her join our Learning Center Team.
     We have completed a comprehensive needs assessment to identify specific areas of academic need in Literacy and Math.  We are consulting with classroom teachers to design and implement interventions.  For now our focus will be grades 1-8 Literacy and grades 2-8 Math with a concentration on grades 3-8 Math.  This will be evolving over time as the needs change.  I plan to keep you informed of changes via this site.
     Another change this year is that there will soon be a form posted for you to grant permission for your child to receive academic support throughout the year if and when it is determined that he or she could benefit from extra support.  If you would rather that your child not receive services, there will be a place on the form for you to indicate that as well.
     Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.  Meanwhile, enjoy those sweet children of yours.  You are their first teacher!