Schools today are teaching kids to pick out "just right" books, but we are calling them "Just Right" Reads!  

“Just right” reads are books that interest your child and are at a reading level that’s not too easy, not too hard, and are… you guessed it: “just right”.  When kids read books that are just right for them they are engaged, empowered, and confident!

Goldilocks and the Three Bears Example:

Teachers of younger students today use variations of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to introduce this concept.  You remember it.  Goldilocks wants to eat the porridge.  The first was too hot, the second bowl was too cold, and the third was just right to be gobbled up!  If you aren’t familiar with the story, do yourself a favor and YouTube it.

The “Pumping Iron” Example:

This is a favorite of teachers who love a bit of theatrics.  It is usually acted out in a very dramatic way.  It explains that you need to treat your brain like a muscle.  You need to exercise and exercise it properly.  If you were trying to build your arm muscles you wouldn’t use tiny 1 lb weights, and you wouldn’t use the 1,000 lb weights that you can’t get off of the ground.  You would pick out weights that are “just right” for you.

I “PICK” Just Right Books

Using the acronym PICK can help students pick out their own just right reads.

P - Purpose (WHY do you want to read?)

I - Interest (Does this book interest me?)

C - Comprehend (Do I understand it?)

K - Know (Do I KNOW most of the words?) *5 Finger Rule

5 Finger Rule

When using the 5 finger rule you pick out a book that looks interesting to you and open it to any page. When you read the page you put up one finger for each word you get to that you don’t know.

0 - 1: Too easy

2 - 3: Just Right

4: Hard, but give it a try

5: Save for later or have an adult read to you