[LM_NET] TARGET: Reading habits 4th vrs 5th

[Joyce Pavelko <jpavelko@DISTRICT96.K12.IL.US>]

Dear Friends:
This query is for elementary schools whose highest grade level is 5th 
grade.

I teach in a school (and school district) with a lot of good readers 
and strong test scores. However, in a building with grades 1-5, I find 
that books for 5th graders are frequently recommended for grades 5-8. I 
agree that the 5th graders can handle more sophisticated topics than 
4th grade. I also think they have other unique needs as readers.

Consequently, I am trying to identify these needs and back it up with 
some research or even some casually collected numbers from you. If you 
have any thoughts or know of sources for information, please email me. 
Please note that I have been searching for many, many hours on ERIC and 
EBSCO but have not found articles that helped me out.

Though circulation statistics never tell the whole story about reading 
habits, they do help a little. If you could share these statistics, I'd 
be appreciative:

--number of 4th graders in your school and total number of items 
circulated at this point in the year
--number of 5th graders in your school and total number of items 
circulated at this point in the year

OR

--a comparison of circulation statistics your 5th graders checked out 
last year compared to this year

I appreciate your help. Some of you are very enthusiastic and might 
have some ideas for surveys, other types of data to collect, etc. 
However, at this point in the year, I am looking for quick and easy.

Thank you in advance,

Joyce Pavelko
Learning Center Specialist
Ivy Hall School-Grades 1-5
1072 Ivy Hall Lane
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
847-459-0022 x1301
email: jpavelko@district96.k12.il.us

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