READING TIPS AND NOTES / INSIGHTS FROM THE CLASSROOM

Although many adults love the idea of curling up alone with a good book, kids who haven’t learned to love reading just don’t feel the same way about it.

Many upper grade children are just discovering the thrill that comes from sharing an activity with friends. This is one reason adults must find ways to make reading a social activity for kids.

There are a variety of ways to do this. To name a few: partner reading, peer book recommendations and book exchanges.

Most popular with my students is partner reading.

I have a special collection of reading materials for this activity only. It consists of “I Spy” books, MAD magazine, the Guinness Book of World Records, as well as Gary Larson’s “Far Side Galleries.” If students have magazines they like they can also use those.

Why these books? Why not some good literature?

These reading materials are very engaging and lend themselves to interaction between readers. Also, I want them to think of reading as fun.

Students get to sit and talk about the books with a friend of their choice. Readers help each other find objects in “I Spy.” One student will explain the sick humor of MAD magazine to the other. Students love to look up unusual and gross facts in the Guinness Book of World Records. The latest fashion, sport and movie fads are written about in their magazines. Partner reading is a great lesson for Fridays. The next activity, peer book recommendations, is just what it sounds like. About once a month, students turn to their “Books I Want to Read” page in their binder or reading folder. Then they take turns recommending books they have enjoyed. I write the titles, authors, genres and students’ names on the overhead projector so those who are interested in the books can add them to their lists. We rarely have time for everyone to recommend his or her favorite book in one session.

The other great social activity, book exchanges, goes something like this: a flier goes home telling students to collect any books they don’t want anymore. They must also check with their parents because these books probably won’t be coming back.

Exchanges can be done in one classroom, but it gets really exciting if a few classes participate together. The day of the exchange, students set out their books on a desk. They then circulate around the room looking for books they want. Students make their own trades and most kids go home with at least one new book.

Combining these activities into a regular curriculum makes reading something kids begin to talk about together. It shows them that reading isn’t just something you do for the teacher at school. If we want students to read outside the classroom, we need to show them how it fits into their lives.

BOOK EVENTS

* Wednesday in Hollywood: The Astronomers, extraterrestrial life and telescope observation throughout the seasons, 6 p.m., Hollywood Regional Branch Library, 1623 N. Ivar Ave. (323) 467-1821.

* Thursday in Ventura: Young adult poet Janet Wong, author of “Behind the Wheel” and “Rainbow Hand,” will read, talk and sign books, 6:45 p.m., Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road (805) 650-9688.

* Saturday in Downtown L.A.: Ballet Folklorico de Maria Luisa, traditional Latin American song and dance performed by children, 2 p.m., Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St. (213) 228-7000.

* Saturday in West L.A.: Story telling for 3- to 8-year-olds with Kathleen Zundell, 10:30 a.m., Children’s Book World, 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd. (310) 559-2665.