Reading Strategy: Multiple Books

In this reading strategy, the teacher uses a variety of books and resources to address one theme or objective in the following manner.

First, the teacher chooses a topic and learning objective (civil war, a painter, genre of fiction, government, weather, outdoor cooking, etc).

Next, the teacher locates several different books related to this topic. Some tactics for ensuring accessibility include working in tandem with a media specialist, allowing plenty of time to gather the books, purchasing books and locating books at the public library).

Remember, teachers at the secondary level will have students with a wide-range of reading levels in their classrooms and should include some books that are as easy as the second grade reading level.

Assign students to work alone, or together in pairs or small groups. Tell them what it is you want them to look for before they begin the reading. Students should journal as they read with everyone looking for these same specifics.

After reading and during the whole group discussion, everyone will be able to successfully discuss the specifics from what they found in their books.

This reading strategy is bound to enhance your lesson, even among students with different reading abilities.

Do share your experiences on the use of multiple books as part of a single lesson.

From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Reading Across the Curriculum