Letters August/September 2006

A clincher of an article
I always enjoy Teaching K-8, but Barclay Marcell's article "Comprehension Clinchers" (May 2006) was particularly important for me. I plan on using these ideas in my second grade classroom this year and will be sharing the article with my team. It was definitely worth subscribing just for this one article!
Andrea Quitt
via e-mail

I generally do not write to magazines, but this issue (May 2006) had some of the best ideas for teaching reading that I've seen! I especially enjoyed Barclay Marcell's "Comprehension Clinchers." I fell in love with (and am so excited to try) her ideas. I'm a first year third grade teacher and am always on the prowl for fun-but-useful ways to teach reading. I think I've finally found them.
Collene Marano
Jeffersonville, PA

DIBELS debate
I enjoyed reading your column "Building Reading Confidence" ("Celebrations in Reading and Writing," May 2006). Every student in our school must have the DIBELS test three times a year, and for at- risk students it's once a month! I can still remember one of my students not reaching the benchmark because he had so much fun reading the passage. He used expression, laughed at the humor and seemed to savor each word...but, alas, this enjoyment led to his not reaching the set words per minute. Unfortunately, I had to tell him later to read as fast as he could. It really is sad to have a child labeled "at risk" because they actually enjoy reading.
Judy Robinson
via e-mail

Author rapport
I just want to thank you for the beautiful article in your magazine ("Doreen Rappaport: Celebrating the Not-Yet-Celebrated," May 2006). I came back from a small tour of school visits to find it waiting for me. I could not have asked for more. You accurately portrayed who I am and what my books are about in a more than generous fashion. I remain grateful. I am sure our paths will cross again. Like-minded people always find themselves meeting again and again.
Doreen Rappaport
New York, NY

August/September, 2006, Vol.37, No.1