Comments for Iserotope

Comment on Big reading results for Kindlers in Oakland by Mark Isero

Mark Isero — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:46:16 +0000

Thank you, Imene, for all your support! I also read more now that I have a Kindle. Although I’m nervous to let students keep the Kindles over the summer, I’m leaning in that direction, particularly if the students are interested.

Comment on Big reading results for Kindlers in Oakland by imene

imene — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:37:51 +0000

Great! but not surprising. I read more since I have my Kindle. They should keep their Kindles over the summer. Good idea Mark and congratulations for this impressive work.

Comment on Big reading results for Kindlers in Oakland by Mark Isero

Mark Isero — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:11:36 +0000

Yes, Accelerated Reader. I’ve used online reading tests from Renaissance Learning and SRI, and although I do not believe in Accelerated Reader as a program, I do like its reading assessment. (Schools can sign up just for the assessment.) It’s fast and easy and as accurate as any of the others that I’ve tried. (I’d love to hear your views about AR, too.)

Comment on Big reading results for Kindlers in Oakland by Megan

Megan — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:04:10 +0000

Hi Mark,
So impressive! What did the kids use as their online reading assessment? Accelerated Reader?I’d love a way to quantify student reading growth each year, but our school doesn’t use AR (And I don’t particularly want to, anyway…).

Comment on Not reading the book? The book is watching you. by Mark Isero

Mark Isero — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:21:45 +0000

I’m a fan of Subtext, though I don’t believe in iPads in general (because they lack a keyboard). Gobstopper, a competitor, does similar things as Subtext but on the web. Both services aren’t quite there yet, in my opinion, but I do like the idea of using technology to promote a shared reading experience in a classroom.

Do you think something like this is possible with Kindles? The shared highlights feature is pretty cool, especially when students get to post to FB or Twitter. But I still find Amazon’s kindle.amazon.com interface pretty old-looking and clunky. Then again, I suppose a student can see another student’s shared highlights in her copy of the book, right? I’m intrigued but haven’t been too successful yet. It seems too “out there” for my students. What has been your experience?

Thank you for the article and your thoughts.

Comment on Not reading the book? The book is watching you. by Meg Griswold

Meg Griswold — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:55:40 +0000

I just read an interesting post about teaching students to read in a focused way, rather than just superficially. Very interesting–I’d like to hear what you think about it. It talks about iPads, which are different than Kindles, but still worthwhile. http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/05/the-future-of-tablets-in-education-potential-vs-reality/

Comment on Another $1,000 donation: DSW has done it again! by Lois

Lois — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:32:41 +0000

That’s awesome, mark!

Comment on Another $1,000 donation: DSW has done it again! by Mark Isero

Mark Isero — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:02:53 +0000

There has been an intense investigation, Michele, and DSW remains officially anonymous. Nevertheless, I have good reason to believe that DSW has no direct ties to Designer Shoe Warehouse. Shoes, like books, are important.

As far as mysteries: There are a few in the library (I should publish all the library titles!) but not enough. Part of the problem is that I don’t know which mysteries students would like, and students don’t usually identify mysteries they want to read. Michele, as a mystery lover yourself, do you have some you would recommend, particularly to ninth graders?

Comment on Another $1,000 donation: DSW has done it again! by Michele

Michele — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:28:02 +0000

Who IS DSW? Do you know? Have you investigated at all? Do you think it might not be a person but actually the person who owns Designer Shoe Warehouse? I like a good mystery! Do you have any mysteries in the library? Don’t you think you should get some?

Comment on Not reading the book? The book is watching you. by Mark Isero

Mark Isero — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:28:35 +0000

I was a somewhat fake reader, too; many of my friends also were, especially in AP English Literature, where many of us did very little reading but still somehow managed to pass the examination. As a teacher, I’ve never figured out the right balance. Do you tell your students that you know that not too much reading is taking place? Or does that somehow lower your standards?