The solution for some has been to do an end run around such assignments by having the students read the piece in class instead. That takes a lot of instructional time and leads to strategies like Round Robin Reading (RRR)—also called Popcorn Reading or Combat Reading.
RRR is not really a comprehension strategy; it’s a management tool. Kids keep quiet and listen because they might be called on next. Worrying that they might get called on next means they’re not paying attention to what is currently being read. If the teacher is obvious about who’ll read next, the students know when their turns are coming and are rehearsing while someone else is laboring away at her chunk of the text.
RRR is not a valid fluency strategy, either: With no chance to rehearse what they’re reading, poor oral readers won’t do well—and on top of that, they’re modeling poor reading for others. And, there’s the embarrassment factor. I can remember from my own schools days that some kids hated reading aloud because they anticipated stumbling, and the good readers hated it when the poor ones read for just that reason.
But after all these years, teachers still use RRR. Why? Because the kids are quiet, occupied, and the assignment gets read. In other words, it’s all about management. So okay. Round Robin Reading doesn’t promote fluency or comprehension, but you still have to lick the didn’t-read-the-assignment-before-class problem. (Click below to read about an alternative practice you can try.)
Our school does not have a gifted and talented program. It is my "job" to start one...hopefully, next semester. Students have been selected. Is there an online curriculum or source available that you would recommend? Are there books that you would recommend? How do you run your program? Any and all help would be appreciated... Lisa
Do you have a particular area in which you want to go in? Is it leadership, STEM, research, subject area, or what?
I would start by narrowing it down some. If you don't have a particular direction you already need to go in, I would start by gathering some data about what your Gifted kids at your school seem to need right now and select resources based on that. There are many options once you know the direction you want to go in!
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