After the August after school meeting, reading children's book has been on my mind. During the meeting, we were asked to post a book that we were reading or had read onto the Padlet. Well, I read a lot during the summer, but it is often not something I would share with my class. So after reading this article, I was sure that I needed to share with my class. So after reading this article, I was sure that I needed to share more with my kids what I am reading.
I specifically like the section about sharing how I may read more than one book at a time. Just this week after conferencing with a student, I discovered that he enjoys reading two books. He takes one of the books he checks out and keeps it home for his reading log. While the others stay in his book basket in the classroom. As adults, we often read more than one book without thinking about it. Currently, I am reading parts of the Bible, textbooks for this class, and a book recommended by a student.
When reading about records, I originally thought that idea would be crazy considering I'm an adult and I can hold myself accountable for reading. But, after reading the purpose of the reading record, I could see where it could be helpful for keeping a balance. As a teacher, if I began to keep a reading record, I could share with students the importance of a record,
I totally agree with Routman about bringing the pleasure back into reading. It ties to what we discussed in the after school meeting. Students want to choose what they read in order to read for pleasure. Sometimes when we tie too many assignments to what students read, its takes the fun out of it. We, as adults, forget about the feeling we feel with the joy is taken out of things we love.
Overall, I think it is important to remember that students look up to their teachers as role models. We notice when they dress like us, act like us, or even speak like us. So, when we share our reading lives with them, we will soon notice them reading like us.
I agree that students love to relate to their teachers and we make a powerful impression when we share that we are readers too. Fifth graders easily see through us if they suspect that we are telling them to do something we do not do. That is why I always read books that I could share with my class. It makes it so much easier to craft minilessons that they could relate to and to recommend books to particular students as well. I did start keeping a reading log by decorating a composition notebook where I reflected on books I read over the summer. I need to get back to it as a daily reflection too so that I remember the things that I read better whether it is a book for the kids, a professional book, or even a professional article. By doing both, I truly believe that our literacy lives will experience even greater growth as long as it is done without duress. We want all that we do to enhance the love of reading, not kill it.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! I love that you are currently reading a book recommended by a student. Your class is a community of readers--including you!
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