Thursday, December 2, 2010

"Prime Suspect"

Questions:
  1. Title of the book, author, publisher, reading level
  2. Number of pages, number of words (graded readers usually give the number on the back cover)
  3. Rate the book: good / fair / poor
  4. Comment on the level. The book was too easy / at a good level / too difficult to read 
The book is called "Prime Suspect" it is written by Lynda La Plante and it is published by Penguin Books. This is 5th level book.
This book has 74 pages and 2300 words.
I think this book is quite good.
This book was at a good level.


Dear Jane Tennison,
     I am writing to invite you to meeting. I have some interesting information which might help you solve those deaths you are investigating on.
    On Monday 13th January I saw something that I should have never seen. I was walking down the street when I heard screaming. As curious as I am I went that way where I heard it. It led me to one older garage and there were one man and that car the television showed. Also I saw more but it is too awful to remember it.
   But since I am scared because of that man I am not writing anything more.
   If you like to get some more information about this then I would like to meet you at Coco’s cafĂ© 3 pm on 19th January. But you must not show this letter to anyone and you must come alone or I just cancel the meeting.
   I am looking forward to our meeting
Yours sincerely,
Anonymous

Thursday, October 28, 2010

"The Accidental Tourist"

Questions:
  1. Title of the book, author, publisher, reading level
  2. Number of pages, number of words (graded readers usually give the number on the back cover)
  3. Summarize the book in 1-2 sentences. What is it about? What happens?
  4. Respond to the book in some way (e.g. How did you like it? Why? What did it make you think about? What experiences of memories did it remind you of? What comments do you have?)
  5. Would you recommend the book to your classmates? Why? 
  6. Rate the book: good / fair / poor
  7. Comment on the level. The book was too easy / at a good level / too difficult to read.
  8.  (Optional) Any other notes, questions, comments, new vocabulary, idioms, quotes to remember? 
The book is called "The Accidental Tourist" it is written by Anne Tyler it is published by Oxford University  Press and this book is level 5th book.
This book has 90 pages and 1800 headwords.
This book is about Macon Leary who writes guidebooks for Americans who have to travel on business but wish they could stay home. Before the book starts his son Ethan is killed. Macon's wife leaves him and his son dog Edward starts to bite and scare people then Muriel, who is dog trainer offers her help training Edward. Muriel starts training Edward and soon after that Muriel and Macon have a relationship. Macon moves in with Muriel and helps her with her son. As soon as Macon's wife is back in picture Macon leaves Muriel and returns his house to live there with his wife. Story ends when Macon travels to Paris to write another guidebook, but Muriel is also there and starts following Macon. Macon chooses Muriel and leaves his wife.
I didn't love that book but when I start something then I'll finish it too. It made me think about that losing a family member makes people to think about their life and how short it is.
I don't know if i recommend this book to classmates or not. It's their decision if they want to read it or not.
The rate of book : fair
I think that book wasn't too easy and also it wasn't too hard to understand it.

First book

First I did Oxford bookworms level test I choose the 5th level and started filling the caps. After filling them I clicked score and it said that this level is just right for me. The next day I went to library first I made myself user and then found a book called " The Accidental Tourist ". Actually  I do not have any expectations for the book, when I finish reading book then I think about it.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Reading & Me

I know that when I started school I didn't know how to read. But I managed to study reading at school with teacher's help. First book what I read is called "Aabits".
But I don't remember if anyone read to me when I was little. I usually read novels, magazines and on-line newspapers. Sometimes I enjoy reading sometimes not, if the book is interesting then I of course enjoy it but if it is boring then I really don't want to read it. I don't have favourite book right now but I hope I have one someday.

Extensive reading

Simply put, extensive reading means reading widely on a constant basis to: 
  • develop your general reading skills;
  • become fluent in reading;
  • notice language patterns;
  • expand your vocabulary. 
Main characteristic of extensive reading: 
  • Students read as much as possible, perhaps in and definitely out of the classroom. 
  • A variety of materials on a wide range of topics is available so as to encourage reading for different reasons and in different ways.
  • Students select what they want to read and have the freedom to stop reading material that fails to interest them. 
  • The purposes of reading are usually related to pleasure, information and general understanding.The purposes are determined by the nature of the material and the interests of the student. 
  • Reading is its own reward. There are few or no follow-up exercises after reading. 
  • Reading materials are well within the linguistic competence of the students in terms of vocabulary and grammar. Dictionaries are rarely used while reading because the constant stopping to look up words makes fluent reading difficult. 
  • Reading is individual and silent, at the student's own pace, and, outside class, done when and where the student chooses. 
  • Reading speed is usually faster rather than slower as students read books and other material they find easily understandable. 
  • Teachers orient students to the goals of the program, explain the methodology, keep track of what each student reads, and guide students in getting the most out of the program. 
  • The teacher is a role model of a reader for the students -- an active member of the classroom reading community, demonstrating what it means to be a reader and the rewards of being a reader. 
Benefits of extensive reading:
  • It can provide “massive comprehensible input”
  • It can enhance learners’ general language competence
  • It can increase knowledge of previously learned vocabulary
  • It leads to improvement in writing
  • It can motivate learners to read
  • It teaches learners about the culture of the target language users, which will allow learners to more easily join the L2 speech community
  • It can consolidate previously learned language
  • It helps to build confidence with extended texts
  • It facilitates the development of prediction skills
Used materials: