How to Choose "Just Right" Books

Remember Goldilocks… Do you remember Goldilocks in the fairy tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears? She wanted to find the porridge, chair and bed that were “just right”.  

Let's be like Goldilocks… Finding a book can sometimes feel the same way.   We have to be just like Goldilocks and find our “just right” book. A book that is not too hard or too easy.

Too easy? …read it many times? …know almost all the words? …know what the words mean? …sound smooth … fluent? If your answer is “yes” to all these questions, then this book is too easy.

Too hard? …lots of words you don’t know? …confused? …sound choppy and slow? If your answer is “yes” to all these questions, then this book is too hard.

Now, let’s practice the 5 Finger Rule! Ahh… Just right! …understand the book? …only a few words you don’t know or understand? This book is just right! Now, let’s practice the 5 Finger Rule!

5 Finger Rule Look at the cover. Read the title and author. Read the blurb on the back. Flip through the book. Read the first page. Use the 5 Finger Rule!

5 Finger Rule You come to a word you don’t know, hold up a finger. 5 fingers up, say “goodbye”! No fingers up, too easy. 1, 2 or 3 fingers up, it’s just right!

Say this to yourself as you try the Let's Try! Say this to yourself as you try the 5 Finger Rule … 1,2,3…the book is good for me 4… I must decide 5…put the book aside

ONE 1

TWO 2

THREE 3

…this book is good for me!

FOUR 4

…I must decide…

FIVE 5

…put the book aside.

Now, it’s your turn to try!