Our library color codes the books too, but they are on carts based on
colors. We have Kindergarteners who choose their own books, so they know to
pick Purple. Several color levels are on each cart. No kid ever worries
about carrying a book that's below their grade level- they all read on
different color levels, and we never had a problem. Some kids ask to move
down a color because the books are easier or they like a particular author
or series. Its FINE if they move a color up or down. As long as they read,
who really cares? Geez, let them read what they like. I personally dont
care if they are reading the back of the ceral box- as long as they are
reading! We tend to micromanage and force books that they have no interest
in reading, make them fill out long reading logs followed by a writing
assignment.....no wonder the previous poster claimed that its "sucking the
life" out of reading. This is just my opinion. I know there are teachers who
feel that kids should be reading challenging or "frustration level" all the
time, or they won't learn to read. I'm not one of those teachers.
Reading should be fun. AR is not the only reading program- they still
participate in the regularly scheduled "shared" and "guided" reading
curriculums which are grade-level appropriate. AR is independent, enjoyment-
reading only. If a 6th grader wants to read Dr. Suess, so be it! In my
school, motivating a 6th grader to read anything is a feat in itself. The
Lorax and the Butter Battle Book were written for adults anyway...they have
hidden messages.

On 9/13/09, Ima Teacher wrote:
> "Everybody is Wrong" is actually correct.
>
> There is more to picking a book than a readability level. You just have
> to take into consideration the interest level.
>
> AR is not an easy program to understand or implement correctly. There
> are many ways to choose books, but not all of them are the best way to do
> so. The "basics" aren't all that complicated, but those kids who fall
> outside the norms can be difficult to place in books and serve well.
>
> As far as color-coding the books or sorting them by "grade level", that's
> not best practice. Imagine that you were a 7th grader who was reading
> three years below grade level. It would be rather embarrassing to have
> to go to the 4th grade book section or walk around carrying a 4th grade
> book. And I've seen students who weren't able to use a library properly
> because they thought the books were supposed to be organized by book
> level.
>

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