The Bookmark
Shortly before school started, the first year I taught in an elementary classroom, I realized I had to teach reading; specifically oral reading.
When I attended university, I took a reading readiness course. The teacher pointed out that motivating a reader comes about, not only because a student is interested in a book’s subject, but also the book is written at the correct level.
If a book is too easy to read students become bored, but if it is too difficult, they are overwhelmed and become discouraged.
I was concerned about finding the right novel to start with. The school I was teaching in had two large book rooms. I started searching for a novel for my students to read.
In my hunt for the right book, I did find two cardboard boxes full of identical novels, The BFG. The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were written by the same author, Roehl Dahl. I was a Dahl fan because I had seen the movie based on the book.
The first day of school, I had a student hand out a copy of The BFG to each of the students in my class. Scanning my class list, I picked a name and asked that student to start reading.
The student read. I was pleasantly surprised. The reading was fluid. The pronunciation was clear. The students tone of voice was interesting. A second student was chosen to read. It was the same experience, clear and concise reading.
The BFG became the first novel that my class and I read every year because, although they were not aware of it, I used this particular novel to test their reading skills; specifically their ability to read phonetically.
The BFG has many nonsense words invented by Dahl. A student would need to be skilled in phonetic reading to be able to read the book well. Most of my students had good skills.
Over several consecutive days of reading, I did discover a few students who struggled a little, but, for the most part, they were able to carry on. The teachers who previously taught my students did a good job of teaching my students how to read phonetically. This simplified my job.
But when we started reading the second day, I did discover a problem. Many of the student did not know where we left off the previous day. I asked the student who was about to read if they had identified the page where we left off? No, and the student didn’t seem to understand the importance of knowing where to start reading that day.
I asked my class if they knew where we left off but only a couple of them could identify the correct page because they had used a bookmark. I’m not sure why most of the class did not use a bookmark. I suspect, in the past, they were in the habit of getting out the novel they were reading as a class and the teacher telling them the starting page for the day.
A bookmark is an organization and memory tool. Used properly, it keeps a book in excellent condition. A good bookmark allows the reader to return where they left off making reading efficient and enjoyable.
My plan was to demonstrate to my students how to make a bookmark to my specifications. I discussed, at great length, the importance of developing a plan and specifications in construction. I demonstrated to my students how to organize, plan, measure, cut and fold their project.
To construct their project, they used recycled file folders I found in the school’s stock room. This was my first experience in using recycled material in my class. I evaluated their individual bookmark after they completing their task.
This project became one of my most important technology benchmarks. Each time we began a new novel, I gave my students a new, slightly more difficult plan for a new bookmark they were to design, construct and use with their new novel.
Reading is one of the most enjoyable activities a person can develop. To become a good reader one must start early in life and practice daily. Not all of my students went on to become avid readers but I am sure many of them did. I wonder if some of them keep a good bookmark?
When I attended university, I took a reading readiness course. The teacher pointed out that motivating a reader comes about, not only because a student is interested in a book’s subject, but also the book is written at the correct level.
If a book is too easy to read students become bored, but if it is too difficult, they are overwhelmed and become discouraged.
I was concerned about finding the right novel to start with. The school I was teaching in had two large book rooms. I started searching for a novel for my students to read.
In my hunt for the right book, I did find two cardboard boxes full of identical novels, The BFG. The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were written by the same author, Roehl Dahl. I was a Dahl fan because I had seen the movie based on the book.
The first day of school, I had a student hand out a copy of The BFG to each of the students in my class. Scanning my class list, I picked a name and asked that student to start reading.
The student read. I was pleasantly surprised. The reading was fluid. The pronunciation was clear. The students tone of voice was interesting. A second student was chosen to read. It was the same experience, clear and concise reading.
The BFG became the first novel that my class and I read every year because, although they were not aware of it, I used this particular novel to test their reading skills; specifically their ability to read phonetically.
The BFG has many nonsense words invented by Dahl. A student would need to be skilled in phonetic reading to be able to read the book well. Most of my students had good skills.
Over several consecutive days of reading, I did discover a few students who struggled a little, but, for the most part, they were able to carry on. The teachers who previously taught my students did a good job of teaching my students how to read phonetically. This simplified my job.
But when we started reading the second day, I did discover a problem. Many of the student did not know where we left off the previous day. I asked the student who was about to read if they had identified the page where we left off? No, and the student didn’t seem to understand the importance of knowing where to start reading that day.
I asked my class if they knew where we left off but only a couple of them could identify the correct page because they had used a bookmark. I’m not sure why most of the class did not use a bookmark. I suspect, in the past, they were in the habit of getting out the novel they were reading as a class and the teacher telling them the starting page for the day.
A bookmark is an organization and memory tool. Used properly, it keeps a book in excellent condition. A good bookmark allows the reader to return where they left off making reading efficient and enjoyable.
My plan was to demonstrate to my students how to make a bookmark to my specifications. I discussed, at great length, the importance of developing a plan and specifications in construction. I demonstrated to my students how to organize, plan, measure, cut and fold their project.
To construct their project, they used recycled file folders I found in the school’s stock room. This was my first experience in using recycled material in my class. I evaluated their individual bookmark after they completing their task.
This project became one of my most important technology benchmarks. Each time we began a new novel, I gave my students a new, slightly more difficult plan for a new bookmark they were to design, construct and use with their new novel.
Reading is one of the most enjoyable activities a person can develop. To become a good reader one must start early in life and practice daily. Not all of my students went on to become avid readers but I am sure many of them did. I wonder if some of them keep a good bookmark?
You will need a good pair of scissors, pencil, and a ruler to start your project.
A roller works well after you have folded your bookmark and want to make a tight crease.
If you don't have used files you can use empty cereal boxes. The material that cereal boxes is made from is called boxboard.
Remember to do your part in cleaning up the classroom, especially recycling all paper products. Do not put paper products in the garbage can or garbage in the recycle can.
Make a Basic Plan
First, place your ruler firmly on a piece of boxboard and draw parallel lines along each side of a ruler.
Second, measure 15cm, draw two perpendicular lines forming a rectangle and cut to length with a pair of scissors.
Third, measure 10cm from one end, draw a perpendicular line, fold the bookmark and roll it with a roller. Congratulations, you have completed your first bookmark!
Second, measure 15cm, draw two perpendicular lines forming a rectangle and cut to length with a pair of scissors.
Third, measure 10cm from one end, draw a perpendicular line, fold the bookmark and roll it with a roller. Congratulations, you have completed your first bookmark!
Teacher's Corner
Student's Corner
Also
8-10 cm
15 cm
Recycle!
Measure the Width of the Page
The Bookmark Part One
The RGS Bookmark
A RGS (Reading Guide Strip) bookmark is not only a book mark but also a tool to help you read. This strip will help you follow along from line to line. Also, reading will be easier and it will help you concentrate and focus on individual words.
Tools and Materials
Cereal Box
Fine Sandpaper
Scissors
Two cm and
three cm
wide ruler
three cm
wide ruler
Roller
How to Make a RGS
1. You will need a cereal box, sandpaper,
scissors, (used only for sandpaper), 2cm and 3cm wide ruler, glue stick, roller and a scrap piece of paper. Organize all these items before beginning.
scissors, (used only for sandpaper), 2cm and 3cm wide ruler, glue stick, roller and a scrap piece of paper. Organize all these items before beginning.
2. Use a 3cm wide ruler and trace parallel lines on the top and bottom of the ruler. Cut the two parallel lines.
3. Place a 2cm wide ruler on the back of the sandpaper, mark it with a pencil and cut the sandpaper to width.
Measure the width of the words on your novel's page and cut your cardboard to that length.
Measure the length of your bookmark, subtract 1cm and make that the length of your sandpaper.
4. Apply glue stick glue to the back of the sandpaper. Center and place the sandpaper on the bookmark.
Place a piece of scrap paper on the sandpaper and roll it out smoothly.