The Importance of Comfort in the Reader’s Lounge Nancy Knox

Purpose: The purpose of this mini-lesson is to set a behavior standard which will be upheld during D.E.A.R. The back of my classroom will contain a Reader’s Lounge - one couch and five bean bag chairs. The importance of comfort and solitude will be taught during the first week of school (following a mini-lesson on the importance of silent reading) to ensure students know what is expected of them in the Reader‘s Lounge. In this mini-lesson, students will brainstorm as well as volunteer in “uncomfortable” situations!

Objectives: NCSCS: 6th grade Competency Goal 5: The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes

5.01 Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive reading program by: - using effective reading strategies to match type of text - reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest. - reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.

NCTE 1: Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.

Time required: 15-20 minutes

Materials Needed: chalk board student volunteers reading lounge furniture (sofa, bean bag chairs)

Script: Good afternoon, class! Today we are going to discuss the importance of comfort and solitude while reading. As you can recall, it was a little difficult to concentrate on your reading when you had audio distractions like music or people whispering! The same goes for comfort and solitude. Who can remember some situations where you have been uncomfortable reading? Maybe you were in a car on a curvy road, or maybe you were sitting on the couch with a devious sister poking you. (Wait for examples of times students did not feel physically comfortable when reading. Write examples on board). Now, we are going to go over rules for the Reading Lounge and I’d like the five of you (pick five students at random) to go sit on this couch (couch will be in the Reading Lounge in the back of the room - this purpose of this enjoyable area will have already been explained), which should comfortably sit two people. (Wait for students to seat themselves) Are you comfortable just sitting there? Can you imagine what it would be like to try and read with four other people crowding you? It would be quite a feat to concentrate! _____, _____, and _____ please get up from the couch. WIth only two of you, _____ can have his or her side, and _____ can have his or her side. You can both stretch your arms without bumping each other, too. For this reason, only two people are allowed on the couch at one time. So, during D.E.A.R. ... ONLY two people are allowed on the couch at one time. The couch is first come, first serve. However, I expect you to be responsible and share (Student volunteers can return to their seat).

Next on our agenda are the five bean bag chairs. As you can see, there are noticeable spaces between them - they are not all piled together. _____, please come sit in this blue bean bag chair. (I will pull up the green bean bag chair RIGHT next to him or her and tap them on the shoulder/stretch my legs out right next to them/lean on the side of the bean bag/ or any other type of pestering you can come up with on the spot). Now class, do you think I would get on ____’s nerves? Of course I would! But, even if I acted more well-behaved than that, the temptation is still there. That is why the bean bag chairs are spaced and that is how they will stay!

Now, some of you may have no desire to read in the Reader’s Lounge. You might like your desk just fine. You many not want to be around other people - even if they aren’t talking - when you’re reading. That is totally acceptable. People have different reading styles. ______may like to sit on the other side of a couch from someone. Everybody does not need the same reading accomodations. If you never even set foot in the Reader’s Lounge, that is also fine - you know the conditions you need to have to read.

It is now time for D.E.A.R. Quietly pick your reading spot and DROP EVERYTHING AND READ!