We can get lots of reps and lots of additional input with the personalized readings we do the day after our story. But not only can we do this in the class that the story was created, but we can (and should) also share these stories with other classes.
Not only are kids interested in these readings because they are usually bizarre, but they will most likely recognize names of students from the other classes (and if they don’t, they will want to know). This is especially true if you work in a smaller school. I teach in two different districts, and the kids still recognize names and really get into the other school’s stories. (Perhaps it is best to get student’s permission to share a reading that contains their name, but it has never been an issue in my classes.)
Of course, I often fail to get the readings typed up from the day before. That is when I grab another class’ reading, from that year or a previous year, that contains the structure(s)/vocab I’m targeting. Voila! A reading I can use to translate, spin, compare, illustrate, CLOZE, or all of the above.
Recycling personalized readings will:
– provide additional interesting input for students
– give students more ideas on how to be creative
– create an atmosphere of good-natured competitiveness among classes
– stimulate discussions about the stories outside of class