One trait of effective readers is their ability to make connections with the text. We connect to the text in three ways: text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self. In text-to-text connections we connect what we are reading to something we've read in the past. In text-to-world connections we connect what we're reading to something that's happening or has happened in the real world. For this article, we will focus on text-to-self connections.
In text-to-self connections we connect what we read to what's happening or has happened in our own lives. In order to make these connections we need to have had vital and valid experiences. In the world of reading education, we use the word schema to represent the background knowledge and experience readers bring to the text. Diane Kardash (2004) from the University of Alaska writes, "Text-to-self connections are highly personal connections that a reader makes between a piece of reading material and the readers own experiences or life." That being said, without experience, we have no connections.
So, what point am I making? As parents and educators, we have a duty to introduce our children and students to new environments and experiences. We are their guides on this safari called life. The summer is a great time to engage in getting kids involved in new experiences. There are trips to take, fairs and festivals to visit, and museums and galleries to peruse. In our videos, we take readers on short virtual fieldtrips in the hopes that they will use the experience to build connections with the books we share. The same should be true for our children's summer activities. Try and plan activities around a book, or a theme in a book, your child/student is currently reading. This will help you child build a reserve of knowledge on which to build lasting connections to books. Have fun this summer in what you do as well as what you read Use this week's featured books as a great starting point.
This Weeks featured Books::
A six-year old boy goes on a trip with his grandparents to Wonder World, the most amazing amusement park ever! However, the boy is in for the suprise of his life: he meets Hortense. How will he deal with her? How will he keep her from stealing all Nana's attention? This book is full of colorful illustrations created by Georgia Graham.
Audience: Ages 4-8
Length: 32 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Tundar Books (2012)
ISBN-10: 1770492219
ISBN-13: 978-1770492219
The fair is opened and the rides have been turned on. The sound is magical and the lights are flashing. Take a trip with Donald Crews as he shows you all the fun you can have at the fair. Look closely at the pictures, because Donal Crews has created his self-portrait inside one of the illustrations.
Audience: Ages 4-8
Length: 32 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (1998)
ISBN-10: 0688114830
ISBN-13: 978-0688114830
Blake has always been responsible. At sixteen years old, he drives safe, excells in school, and takes care of his risk-taking younger brother, Quinn. Today, Blake and Quinn find themselves trapped in a phantom carnival and in order to save both their lives (and their very souls) Blake must survive seven deadly carnival rides. Pick up this book for an exciting ride of your own.
Audience: Ages 12 and older
Length: 224 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2009)
ISBN-10: 1416997481
ISBN-13: 978-1416997481
In 1973, college student Devin Jones takes a summer job at a carnival in a small town in North Carolina. The carnival was the site of a grusome murder and it is said that the victim still haunts the place. Devin is in for quite a ride and so are you if you pick up this book.
Audience: Adult
Length: 288 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Hard Case Crime (2013)
ISBN-10: 1781162646
ISBN-13: 978-1781162646
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