I found myself relaxing in Orlando this weekend, but could not seem to tear myself away from The Night Circus.This book, out of all of the books that I have read for this class, is by far my favorite! I find it very funny that this book is technically written for adults, but I find it to be the most appropriate for all of my students. The content of the book is perfect for holding the attention of any teenager, and definitely any adult. I am more than halfway through the book, and it continues to fascinate me.
The one thing that may be confusing for some, but that I really like, is that the book jumps back and forth between years. This gives the reader an opportunity to do some great inferencing while reading. The reader has the opportunity to try to figure out how Celia and Marco will perform their magical duel, while falling in love with one another.
Many new characters have been introduced in the book, but the most interesting seem to be the auxillary characters that come in contact with the many performers in the circus.
I will add more to this post, but the book is calling me!!!!
As a Reading/Language Arts teacher, I feel that it is
important for any reader, especially important for all readers to understand
the appropriate Lexile level for reading.I have gone back through my blog in order to label each title with the
appropriate Lexile Level for each book that I have read or will be reading.A
Lexile level is given to represent a person’s reading ability or the difficulty
of a particular text.
Each year, all students are tested at the beginning of the year in order to see what their Lexile Measure is after a summer without school. The understanding a Lexile score is especially important for teachers and parents. While most Reading teachers are taught about the complexity of a Lexile score, very few others know how they are used, or that they exist at all.
The reason that Lexile scores are given, is so we are able to see at which grade level students should be reading, while showing their actual leveled Lexile grade equivalency. When we are able to know how low students reading abilities are, we are able to employ specific strategies in order to help them improve. Throughout the year, we continue to test students to see if their Lexile scores improve over time. By checking regularly, we are able to adjust our lessons, strategies, and suggestions for the improvement of our students' reading abilities.
In order to help everyone to better understand how the Lexile scores are used, I will use an example based on my own 8th grade class. Review the chart below to better acquaint yourself with the basic Lexile Measures and how they match up to grade levels.
Typical Text Measures, by Grade
Grade
Text Demand Study 2009 25th percentile to 75th percentile (IQR)
2012 CCSS Text Measures*
1
230L to 420L
190L to 530L
2
450L to 570L
420L to 650L
3
600L to 730L
520L to 820L
4
640L to780L
740L to 940L
5
730L to 850L
830L to 1010L
6
860L to 920L
925L to 1070L
7
880L to 960L
970L to 1120L
8
900L to 1010L
1010L to 1185L
9
960L to 1110L
1050L to 1260L
10
920L to 1120L
1080L to 1335L
11 & 12
1070L to 1220L
1185L to 1385L
As you can see, an average 8th grader should be reading with a Lexile score of 1010L-1185L. As a teacher of Intensive Reading students, I have students that read anywhere from a 450L to a 850L. Because many of my students range from a 2nd grade to 6th grade level, my students are working towards a goal of a 1010L in order to be on grade level. I will spend the school year helping my students to improve their reading abilities while teaching them grade level information so they do not fall behind. There are many reasons why Reading, General Content Area, and parents should understand Lexile scores when teaching/helping an student.
Reading Teachers:
Using Lexile levels will help to improve the content of lessons, and help to set and measure goals throughout the year.
General Content Area teachers:
Using Lexile levels will help these teachers to understand the abilities of their students when reading the complex text in their classrooms. Accommodations or different strategies should be employed in order to guarantee the success of their students.
Parents:
When choosing a book for your child, it is wise to know what their Lexile score is in regards to their grade level abilities. You can ask your child's reading teacher for this information. Lexile levels are available for almost all books, especially Young Adult literature.
References
Lexile-to-Grade
Correspondence . (n.d.). The Lexile Framework for Reading. Retrieved
October 20, 2012, from
http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/grade-equivalent/grade-equivalent-chart/
The Lexile
Framework for Reading. (n.d.). The Lexile Framework for Reading.
Retrieved October 20, 2012, from http://lexile.com/
What is a
Lexile® Measure? . (n.d.). The Lexile Framework for Reading. Retrieved
October 20, 2012, from http://lexile.com/about-lexile/lexile-overview/
I just started to read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. When I first decided to choose this book for my reading list, I was apprehensive, as it is a book written for an adult audience. However, this book was mentioned to be interesting for teens as well. As I began reading, I could see how this book could be easily enjoyed by young adults as well as adults. The Night Circus is a 2012 Alex Award Winning book. The Alex Awards are given yearly through the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). These awards are given to "to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18." I think that it is very important for young adults to be exposed to writing that is intended for adults, not in the sense of context, but by writing style. Young adults are inundated with so many books that center around middle/high school writing styles that are simplified for reading, so they are not exposed to more challenging vocabulary that could truly improve their learning, testing, and general understanding in all areas. The fact that YALSA takes the time to give out awards for books that are able to transcend adult/young adult reading levels, shows how they value the importance of young adult exposure to challenging reading. The Night Circus circles around two magicians, Mr. A.H. and Prospero the Enchanter, and their young apprentices, Marco and Celia. However, these are no ordinary magicians. Though Prospero veils his natural abilities with magic by performing with a circus, he quickly shows that he is more than just a stage act. He has a long-standing rivalry with Mr. A.H, a mysterious acquaintance that he has known for many years. The author has yet to unveil the reason behind their rivalry, but when Prospero discovers that he has a daughter, Celia, he decides to rekindle their competitive sides. Celia has the same natural gift for magic as Prospero. Prosporo challenges Mr. A.H. to a magical duel between his daughter, and a contender that Mr. A.H. will choose himself. Marco, a young orphan, is taken in by Mr. A.H. and is being groomed to compete in this magical duel that he does not yet understand. The competition will take place sometime in the not-so-distant future. For now, Celia and Marco are subjected to unconventional training that will prepare them for this event. As I continue to read, I will share my thoughts and important information regarding the book. I am looking forward to continuing to read The Night Circus, and look forward to finding out who will win, Marco or Celia!!
References
YALSA's Alex
Awards | Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). (n.d.). American
Library Association. Retrieved October 20, 2012, from
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/alex
The author, Cheryl Rainfield, drew on her own personal demons to write this book. Like the main character, Kendra, Rainfield had been sexually assaulted when she was younger. Normally, I would have written about this book as I read it, but I read it in one night, so I will give my thoughts on it as a whole book. As a teacher, I really do not think that this would be appropriate for all students. It is definitely for older middle school or high school students. I found the book to be well-written, but the subject matter is very touchy. I actually had a chance to discuss this book with one of my Adolescent Literature classmates, and she agreed that it is a good book, but it would not be wise to share this with a whole class. The main character is Kendra. She is a young girl that is a survivor of a sexual assault that she cannot fully remember. She sees a therapist regularly, but is still unable to remember any tangible moments from the assault that would help her remember the man that abused her. In order to calm her nerves, she cuts herself regularly. Sometimes the cutting is to prove that she has control of herself, and other times the cutting controls her to the point that she severely harms herself. While dealing with the assault and her cutting, Kendra is also dealing with pressure from her mother to be a more successful artist, and also meeting a young girl with whom she falls in love. Kendra expresses herself through her art, and it is because of this expression that her abuser resurfaces and starts to stalk her. Kendra feels paranoid all of the time, but she knows that she is closing in on the memories that she needs as the abuser gets progressively closer and closer. This book is not one that I would share with emotionally unstable students, which is why I would be unlikely to share this with my class. The part of the book that I dislike the most, is when Kendra's therapist discovers that she is cutting. Instead of trying to help her stop, she chooses to show Kendra how to keep it clean and protect herself. This bothered me, and it makes me weary of sharing it students.
Sahara Special was a book that was given to me my first year
of teaching.It had made a home on one
of my bookshelves 6 years before I ever took the time to read it. Esme Raji Codell did an excellent job sharing the scared feelings of a young student. In all honestly, I wish that I had read it
sooner!This book made me look at my
students through different eyes.Sometimes we want our students to be perfect, open-books that have no
problems.Unfortunately, the truth is
that our students have just as many problems as we do…sometimes more!After reading this book, I actually used Ms.
Pointy’s journal writing idea.It has
allowed my students to be more open with their feelings, without fear of being
persecuted for their thoughts!
Sahara Jones is a young girl that has created a self-imposed
separation from all people and responsibilities.She has no real friends, other than her
cousin Rachel, and her mother has given up trying to help her with school.Sahara will be repeating the 5th
grade because she refused to do or hand in any work during the previous
year.Though she yearns for friendship,
she is so unsure of herself that she pushes away other students that want to
befriend her.
When the new year starts, Sahara finds herself in the 5th
grade and now with a new teacher, Ms. Pointy.Ms. Pointy is an eccentric teacher that definitely breaks the mold when
it comes to 5th grade teachers.She is exciting, inventive, and a little weird.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Ms. Pointy
assigns each student to have a journal that they are to write in every
day.Students can leave the page for the
teacher to read, or they can mark it as private.Ms. Pointy does not care what they write
about, as long as they are writing.
Sahara is a writer, and she lets Ms. Pointy know it.Unfortunately it takes her quite some time to
finally come out of her shell to share her talents.
Sahara is also dealing with problems at home.She is trying to get over her father leaving
her, but finds it hard to understand why he has left.Over the course of the year, she finds that
she worries less about her father, and more about what she wants in life.
This book is amazing, and though it is geared more towards
young secondary students, I think that it definitely resonates with any
teacher.I high recommend this book to
ANY teacher!
I was honestly quite surprised by this book.I assumed that it was a normal YA novel about
a girl that did not like herself and would be dealing with her own emotional
issues.Though that is a portion of the
book, more of it dealt with blatant sex between two teens. Kody Keplinger weaves a very interesting tale that I was able to read in one sitting.
Bianca is young girl that never thought of herself as
anything more than a protective friend.It is not until she runs into her most hated foe, Wesley Rush.Wesley tells Bianca that he wants to be
friends with her so that he can get her friends to like him, and then sleep
with them.She is appalled by this notion,
and even more disgusted when he explains that she is the D.U.F.F. (Designated,
Ugly, Fat, Friend) and that she is merely fodder for his quest.After this incident, Bianca starts to think
of herself in a different way, as the DUFF.She mulls over this idea, and starts to question her own beauty and
self-worth.Wesley continues to pursue a
fake friendship with Bianca, as she continues to rebuff him.Unfortunately, she is paired with him for a
school project and finds herself forced to spend time with him outside of the
classroom.At first she tries to get
Wesley to come to her house so that she feels safe and on her home field.
Bianca is dealing with problems at home as well.Her mother is on a book tour, and her father
is home…waiting for his wife to return.Her father is a recovering alcoholic, and as the stress of his estranged
marriage hurt him more and more, he begins to drink again.Because of this, Bianca is forced to go work
with Wesley at his house.It is at that
time that she finds that, while rich, Wesley is completely alone at home, as
his parents are constantly travelling and neglect Wesley and his sister (who
lives with her grandmother), and Wesley is left to live his life of depravity
without anything calling him out on his inappropriate actions.Though Bianca is completely repulsed by
Wesley’s actions, she is attracted to him physically.In order to avoid dealing with her troubles
at home, she decides to sleep with Wesley and begin a relationship that is
completely based on sex.
Their relationship continues as her life becomes harder, and
finally she realizes that she is in love with Wesley.In order to keep herself from committing to a
relationship, she tells Wesley that their relationship is over.She then tries to begin a relationship with
another man, but still cannot fully commit, as her mind is always with
Wesley.Bianca struggles with keeping
her secrets, maintaining her friendships, and accepting herself.
This book may speak to many teens, but it is certainly not
acceptable literature for younger teens.There are many adult situations, and extremely large amounts of
profanity.I would not agree that this
is meant for young adults between the ages of 14-17.I did enjoy this book, but it really would be
a better read for adults ages 18-24.
Twilight was the first best seller for author Stephenie
Meyer.The book shares the themes of
love, trust, and personal strength.I
found Twilight to be a very good read for reluctant readers.The plot shares the story of Bella Swan, an
antisocial young woman who is thrust into a new life when she moves to Forks,
WA to live with her father.The students
of Forks high school attach themselves to Bella, as she is new and
interesting.Bella becomes friends with
a small group of students, but her interest is piqued by the members of the
Cullen family, especially Edward.She is
drawn to him, but at first he seems completely repulsed by her.While experiencing her day-to-day life, she
also rekindles a friendship with a young boy named Jacob.Jacob is the son of her father’s close
friend.Jacob seems to like Bella, but
she only has eyes for Edward.When
Edward finally returns Bella’s attempts to get to know one another, she finds
that she yearns to be near him.Edward
tries to push her away, but in the end they find that they love
one-another.A side story deals with the
rest of the Cullen family and how they are dealing with Edward and Bella’s
relationship.Of course, this being a YA
novel, there is an antagonist that aims to kill Bella and in doing so destroy
Edward.Though the writing of this novel
is definitely for teens, I found it to be enjoyable to read.I look forward to reading the remaining
novels in the series.
Obviously, everyone knows of the Twilight Saga, and teens
have flocked, for years, to see the many movies that will be culminating in the
final movie in the next month.I find
that having students read books before seeing a movie is more useful than reading
it afterwards, but I think that students would still find this series
interesting even after seeing the movie.Stephenie Meyer had started to write a companion novel to Twilight.It was called Midnight Sun.This book was
to be Twilight from the perspective of Edward.I definitely recommend reading the sections that Meyer has
released.It is amazing to read the book
from a different perspective, and I found myself laughing at Edward’s reactions
to Bella.All-in-all, I recommend this
book if you are looking for easy reading, but do not mind a longer book.
