These reviews were written by Ranch students at Clark Middle School for a language arts assignment I gave them. The Ranch is a highly structured, intensive program that allows students who fail 7th grade to make up two years of work in one so they can go on to high school with their peers. Most students come to the Ranch with a very low reading ability and interest. Right from the start, I knew I had to make free-choice reading a major component of the language arts curriculum if the students were going to make it through a tough academic year.
Students read at least one hour a day and often choose to read more when their other work is done.
Along with assigned pieces of literature, I allow the students to choose novels from my collection. I have everything from the classics to high interest, low reading level realistic fiction. Once I get to know the kids, I can help pair them up with a book that I hope will grab them. For many, this is the first experience they have had in finishing a novel, enjoying it, and recommending it to their friends. All of them have increased their reading scores, some dramatically, simply by reading so much on the Ranch.