>SSR. DEAR time. Drop Everything And Read. Silent Sustained Reading. Self-Selected Reading. As some kids say it (but not within earshot of the teacher) Sit down, Shut up, and Read.
Our normal computer lab time was cancelled due to the lab being used for state testing. I substituted time my students enjoy: extra silent reading. Normally they’d take a little time to find their books and magazines and then settle down to enjoy them. Today? Nope. But why? In typical teacher form, I analyzed the situation. Here’s the end data.
Kids who haven’t eaten well all weekend are too hungry to concentrate.
Good readers finished their books at home and have nothing to read.
NFL football fans who are still depressed after yesterday’s game might not want to read the Sports magazine for Kids they picked out last week.
The one who broke his glasses Saturday in Pop Warner football hasn’t had them replaced yet and can’t read a word.
>All excellent reasons. Do you just keep a stack of magazines handy?
>Seth was one of those sleepy kids this morning. And now I’m REALLY hoping his meds kicked in before he set foot in his classroom.
And what you said here is interesting. He seems more wound up on the weekends when he’s off the meds. I thought maybe I was just imagining it…