Here is Alisa’s idea for generating class reading materials – instead of buying books – in order to, each year, expand the class library at the elementary level. I bet that this idea would work at any level. I will add examples as soon as I get them from her:
Instead of the comic books (which I plan to try soon) I’ve been creating classroom library materials in a slightly different way. After a story cycle is complete and there is a writeup of it that has been ‘processed’ – I often have it onscreen and ask the Ss where there should be a page break for illustrations. There end up being 2-4 sentences per page. I make sure to insert a title page with the class name, and also page numbers. Then, between classes I print out the mostly blank pages that have a small block of text, and I auction them off next class – as in, “Who want to illustrate the title page?’ or “Who want to illustrate the page where the worm eats the potato chips?’ I have enough copies of the story so that everyone has at least a page to illustrate in class for a few min, with a few extra for early finishers. My protocol is that they use crayon or colored pencil on clipboard or dry erase lapboards; I ask for large and colorful illustrations that must match the meaning of the text on that page; don’t color on top of the words or page numbers, or within a half inch of the left margin) [Elementary, my dear Watson!]
Then I collect and order the pages, staple and viola! In one story cycle across say three grades (12 sections) I make have 12-18 books – every class’ is a variation on the same story but with different names, places, animals, cognates, etc. These are 7-10 page class-made storybooks. With say 15 on the shelf, indivs (depends how big the class is) or partners can read together for 10 min of FVR every few weeks – and/or keep trading books for the whole 30 min class period – every version is novel as either the story details or illustrations are fresh…
This is the only way that FVR has worked for elementary so far – class generated stories then turned to books/comics….
If you like I can send Ben some photos of a recent class created book for the PLC. BONUS**:Adminz love this proof of literacy…