As a 6th grade ELA teacher I am always in search of resources that best meet the needs of my 6th grade readers. Each year I reflect on what changes I need to make in order to prepare for this next group of students. What needs tweaked? What needs revamped? What needs a complete overhaul?
The one element of my reading instruction that I have been challenged with is providing my students with novels and effective, comprehensive study units for self-selected reading. While I have some students that LOVE reading, I have a number of FAKE readers. Do you have those too? The ones that stare at books for a set amount of time, but couldn’t tell you what they are reading, let alone anything about it! I was a fake reader, so I can spot them like nobody’s business!
In addition, I have struggled with making sure that my students are reading texts in each of the genres and being held accountable for the novels they are reading. My focus has been on teaching the standards, assessing, and evaluating their progress. Recently, creating tools for independent reading has been my task at hand.
Like you, I NEED resources that I can implement and utilize IMMEDIATELY with low-no prep. Therefore, this was the focus of creating this Novels Made Easy resource. This BUNDLE includes all of the essentials for allowing students to be independent readers of all genres:
- 15- Print and Go Novel Units with ANSWER KEYS and Listed Lexile Measure
- Genre Posters
- Reading Literature Chit Chat Cards
- Reading Literature Task Cards
- End of Novel Projects
In the past it has been tricky to find resources that meet the needs of all or even the majority of my students because I have students reading from the kindergarten to high school level! My students want to read NOVELS, but I needed more novel units to make this happen. In addition, I have truly struggled as a reading teacher to give my students the freedom they need as accountable, independent readers. They need to be able to self-select novels and have the tools to enhance their learning. So I got to work reading and developed this CCSS aligned novel unit resource. I hope your students enjoy these units as much as mine have.
Here are each of the 15-units I have incorporated into this BUNDLE:
Ideas for Use:
- Use this resource to help differentiate the independent reading taking place in your class.
- Display novels and let students select which text they want to read.
- Provide students with novels to read independently, in small groups, or as a whole class.
- Print out novel units.
- Let students get started with their novels and novel units.
- Watch as your students become more accountable, independent readers.
Give your students the tools they need for independent reading and turn them from FAKERS to READERS!
Alice Handley says
Wow! I am very impressed with your site. I have taught school for over 20 years and third grade for the last 15 years. I have recently decide to add a new chapter to my life and teaching. I am changing schools and going to 6th grade ELA. I am excited and love the challenge of learning new things.Your site has given me some good ideas to start off my new year. I love to teach reading with novels. With your 15 print and go novel list, it will provide me with a good beginning. I am anxious to read more of your ideas and visit your TPT store.
Where do you find the time for all this? I’m glad you do!
Thank you,
Alice Handley
Camille Giersch says
Hello,
I have a quick question. I would love to use the book Among the Hidden, but I know some of my students have read it. Suggestions?
Erin says
Hi Camille,
It is tough to find books that everyone hasn’t read for whole class novels, but I don’t think it is a bad thing for students to read books more than once. When I have students that say, “I already read that!” I tell them a few different things…1) I often read a book multiple times when I am teaching it, and each time, I get something new out of it. 2) I designate those “already read” book readers to be our “Book Experts” when we have certain questions about the different characters or other assorted things in the story. 3) I also share that I will be focusing on different story elements and ideas that they may not have considered during their first read. There are ways around the grumbles, we just have to get creative:) It’s what we do, right?! Teaching comes with accommodating so many different personalities and it can be tricky to make everyone happy, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with reading a book more than one time. I hope that helps and you enjoy the rest of your summer!
All the best,
Erin
Cristina says
I am so glad I found you! I will be transitioning from elementary to middle school, 7th grade next year. Your ideas, and resources will be so very helpful in my preparation!!
Thank you for your awesome ideas!
Sharon Grice says
I will be teaching sixth grade for the first time this year even though I have taught high school a long time. I plan to follow you since that is your grade area. I look forward to getting more ideas etc.. Impressed so far and will be ordering some of your materials. Thank You
Sharon Grice
Erin says
Sharon,
You are going to LOVE 6th grade-it is my favorite. Keep me posted on your fun journey. Let me know if there is anything I can help with.
All the best,
Erin