Teaching Kids How to Choose Good Fit Books
If you want a child to be an avid reader, teach them to choose good fit books!
What Are Good Fit Books?
Let’s start with a metaphor.
If you want your child to be a runner, you need to get him a pair of shoes that fits.
If the shoes are too big or too small, they will fall off his foot, or he will get blisters. Both will impede his ability (and desire) to run.
The same is true for books.
If you want your child to be an avid reader, the “fit” of a book matters. There are two main factors to consider.
Reading Level
A book should be close to a child’s current reading level.
Although a child may be tempted to pick a book above his reading level (the cover might be really cool!), this will only create frustration when he starts to read it.
Interest
The book needs to hold the child’s interest. If she is bored, she will stop reading, plain and simple.
You may want your child to be interested in female astronomers, but don’t force the book on her if she is not.
She will either forego reading the book or develop a negative association with reading.
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How to Encourage Students to Select Good Fit Books
Although you need to help kids pick good fit books, it is best to teach them how to choose those books for themselves.
Two methods can help students determine whether a book is a good fit.
The first method is the “Five Finger Rule,” and the second is the “I-PICK” method.
The Five Finger Rule for Determining Reading Level
While an adult might consult a book’s Lexile measurement to see if it matches the child’s reading level, students are unlikely to do this.
The Five Finger Rule is a quick way for a student to determine if a book is at the right level for them.
Step 1: Read the First Page
Read the first page of a book. If the book has little text because it features more pictures than words, then read the first few pages.
Step 2: Count the Words You Don’t Know
Hold up your hand.
As you read, lift a finger whenever you encounter a word you do not know.
Step 3: Count the Fingers
If you have 0-1 fingers up, the book is likely too easy for you. While you can read this book for pleasure reading, it is not going to advance your reading skills.
If you have 2-3 fingers up, this book is likely right on your level. This is a good fit book.
If you have 4-5 fingers up, this book is too advanced for right now. Note the title and author, and try it again in three to six months.
The Five Finger Rule can help students find good fit books that are in the Goldilocks-zone for reading level.
The I-PICK Method for Choosing Good Fit Books
The I-PICK Method helps students select good fit books for themselves. It is an acronym. (Hint: Turn this into an anchor chart!)
I = “I Choose the Book”
This is the fun part! Select a book that appeals to you.
Look at the title and the front and back cover.
P = “Purpose”
What is your purpose for reading this book?
Is it just for fun (aka personal enjoyment)? Then you have a lot of leeway and can choose any book.
Are you reading this book for a school assignment? If so, does it fit the assignment?
For example, if you need to pick a book on animals for a science report, a story about unicorns will not fit the bill.
I = “Interest”
Even if the book is for a school assignment, you need to find the book interesting.
If the book does not interest you, you will have a hard time finishing it.
Pick a book that appeals to you.
C = “Comprehension”
You need to choose a book that is at the right comprehension level.
You can use the Five Finger Rule to check for this or do a comprehension self-check.
After each paragraph, ask yourself if you understand what you just read.
If the answer is yes, great! You can move on to the next paragraph.
If the answer is no, reread the paragraph. If you still do not understand it after reading it a second time, you should choose a different book.
K = “Know the Words”
“Know the Words” goes along with comprehension.
Sometimes, you can get the gist of a paragraph without recognizing every single word.
Still, if you encounter several or more unfamiliar words on a page, this is a sign that the book is not a good fit.
If there are a couple of words that you don’t know, that is fine.
You can use decoding strategies and context clues to determine their pronunciation and meaning.
A book should challenge you just a little. That will grow you as a reader.
But if a book has too many unfamiliar words, it will frustrate you, and you will miss some of the meaning.
Methods for Selecting Good Fit Books
Help the children in your life become happy and successful readers.
Teach them the Five Finger Rule and the I-PICK Method to find good fit books that they will enjoy.
