Here are some comments from students about the Reader's Handbook for grades 4–5.


Reading History
 I found the information very helpful...I liked the handwritten note examples, they helped see what it would be like if I wrote them. The handbook would help people get lots of information from their reading.

Eric Fletcher      

 Reading Science
 The Process Notes are very helpful and it is a good thing to use them. I like the pictures because they show you what is happening, and it helps me understand the reading better.

Eric Fletcher      

Reading Math
 I liked that it set goals for you and walked you through it step by step. It also has good examples that show what to do so that you are prepared to do it yourself. This chapter also taught me that math is just like reading in many ways.

Sarah Cohen      

Focus on Word Problems
 Gave excellent strategies. ..Guided you through what could be a confusing problem easily...

Nathaniel Shaffer, Mrs. Ryan's 5th Grade Class      

I liked the way it evenly explained all the parts of the word problems. I liked how it gave you the steps in each part.

Heather Lewis, Mrs. Ryan's 5th Grade Class      

Focus on Questions
 Gave good strategies for answering questions...

Nathaniel Shaffer, Mrs. Ryan's 5th Grade Class      

I liked the illustrations. It read easy and made sense the first time you read it.

Heather Lewis., Mrs. Ryan's 5th Grade Class      

It tells you exactly what you should do for answering a question. It asks you questions that you really have to think about.

Brooke Borneman, Mrs. Ryan's 5th Grade Class      

Reading a News Story
 It was interesting to learn about. ..Very descriptive. .. It kept my attention and made me want to learn more about it.

Laura Hicks      

Focus on Personal Essays
 I also liked the Personal Essay's section because I didn't know how to write an essay before this section helped me understand how to write an essay.

Ian Rosenfield      

Focus on Character
 ...I liked how it helped me find out who was the main character. I liked how you had good ways of explaining how you found the important people out of the story.

Katie Pierce      

Focus on Plot
 I like how they put a story in that is pretty popular. I like the pictures they go with the things they are talking about.

Brooke Borneman, Mrs. Ryan's 5th Grade Class      

I liked your vivid description in "Setting." You really got me knowing what the setting is! I also liked "Theme." You showed me to "dig," and so I found your theme!

Lucy Horton      

Reading a Play
 I like the "Preview" boxes that are in the margins...I find the charts, graphs, and organizers (see pg. 158) to be extremely helpful. I like the theme diagram a lot.

Andy Quinn      

I liked how there were examples of the charts that were described in this section... I also liked how you showed another reader's response to some of the questions you asked.

Lauren Schlechinger      

Focus on Language
 I am glad you included this section because it is a great kid's guide to reading a script. KID-FRIENDLY!! Each detail is explained.

Andy Quinn      

It explains things well so they're easier to understand. It uses good words and has good suggestions.

Genevieve G.      

Focus on Theme (Drama)
 I like how the "steps" are all laid out. It would be very useful if you did not understand theme. I like how you have the checklist, and then go into more detail later. I love the hints in the margins-very useful description of where the elements are in the story (i.e. setting is usually near beginning, etc.)

Andy Quinn      

Elements of Drama
 I like the example of a child climbing a mountain for the Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action. I also like the way they used different stories and not the same one. Another thing I liked as the way it explained itself after every page.

Courtney Galante, Mrs. Ryan's 5th Grade Class      

Improving Vocabulary
 I like the sounds of the "Word Collection" on pg 497. I like the steps you use to "use your new words." I like how you give examples for "Analogy" and we can figure it out.

Kelsey Perry      

Focus on Math Tests
 I liked how there was a math test there to try those skills on. The "after reading" was very nice. Just like on that page it summarizes what you read. This math section would probably be really helpful for someone who is struggling in math.

Anna Larson      

Elements of the Internet
 I liked the definition at the bottom of the page. It was just like a summary or what you read. Sometimes it's hard to tell what someone's talking about so the example really helps.

Anna Larson      




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