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Help students choose their own books within their Lexile range
"My favorite books were the ones I picked out myself." Regardless of age or gender, young people overwhelmingly agreed with this statement in a survey of reading preferences (see reference below). Unfortunately, many reading programs generally don't actualize this.
It hardly takes any effort to recycle the grade-level reading lists that you photocopy every year. Instead, let your students choose their books! Our Find a Book search makes it easy for students to freely choose the books that interest them within their Lexile range. And parents can use the site at home too.
A personalized reading list for every student, by every student
During the last days of the school year, after testing is finished, take your classes to the computer lab to use Find a Book. Help each student enter his or her Lexile measure or rate his or her reading ability. Then turn them loose to browse books by subject area or keyword.
When they see a book that looks interesting, they just add it to their reading list. They can easily check to see if each book is in their local public library. When they're done, students can print, save or email their personalized reading lists.
As the school year ends, let parents know that their children are coming home with their personalized reading list based on their Lexile level. Point them to the public library summer reading program and tell them about the incentives and events.
Reference and Other Reading
Scholastic & Yankelovich (2008), 2008 Kids and Family Reading Report
New York Times article on the power of young people choosing what they read.
New York Times essay critiques point-based incentives for reading.
Charlotte Examiner article about the debate over young people choosing their reading material.