I have used your story “And I’m Watching It All From My Window” a few times in my tests for students taking developmental reading, level 1. These are people who never read for pleasure-they can. You would not believe some of the answers I receive. Here are my short answer questions:
1. Where does Chinaka live?
2. Why do you think she say she “hates” the sacrifices her family has made for her to get her in a better place?
3. What does she wish her friends would have had?
4. What does she wish her friends would realize?
5. What is it that she “can’t stand”?
6. What do you think the next few years will be like in Chinaka’s life?
7. What do you think the next few years will be like in her friends’ lives?
They may sound like simple questions to you, but it’s the level which pushes them right above their comfort zone. Few times in their life someone has asked them what they think.
It is so successful, I would like your permission to continue using it on Test #1. I would suggest you work with your publisher to be included in a remedial reading textbook, especially this selection. They wouldn’t ‘get’ everything you write-yet, but they will. This piece gets them talking/sharing/thinking, but especially THINKING.
Hello Chinaka,
I’m a friend of your grandmother, Chloe. Perhaps you remember having lunch with your grandmother and me a couple of years ago. I was very impressed with you at that time and note that your gandmother is so proud of you as she tells me often.
Just wanted to stop by and say hello… I wish you great success in whatever you do in your life.
Steve Culen
tbs
March 12, 2010 (11:45 pm)
when’s it coming to new york? 🙂
Judy Hubble
May 19, 2010 (10:52 pm)
I have used your story “And I’m Watching It All From My Window” a few times in my tests for students taking developmental reading, level 1. These are people who never read for pleasure-they can. You would not believe some of the answers I receive. Here are my short answer questions:
1. Where does Chinaka live?
2. Why do you think she say she “hates” the sacrifices her family has made for her to get her in a better place?
3. What does she wish her friends would have had?
4. What does she wish her friends would realize?
5. What is it that she “can’t stand”?
6. What do you think the next few years will be like in Chinaka’s life?
7. What do you think the next few years will be like in her friends’ lives?
They may sound like simple questions to you, but it’s the level which pushes them right above their comfort zone. Few times in their life someone has asked them what they think.
It is so successful, I would like your permission to continue using it on Test #1. I would suggest you work with your publisher to be included in a remedial reading textbook, especially this selection. They wouldn’t ‘get’ everything you write-yet, but they will. This piece gets them talking/sharing/thinking, but especially THINKING.
Thanks so much for your time.
Professor Hubble
Steve Culen
December 12, 2010 (4:46 am)
Hello Chinaka,
I’m a friend of your grandmother, Chloe. Perhaps you remember having lunch with your grandmother and me a couple of years ago. I was very impressed with you at that time and note that your gandmother is so proud of you as she tells me often.
Just wanted to stop by and say hello… I wish you great success in whatever you do in your life.
Steve Culen