While I have always thought it important to share with students what you were currently reading, I never thought about sharing my whole reading life with my students. That was a concept I gained from chapter 3 of the Routman book that I found particularly interesting. I enjoyed reading how the author encouraged us as teachers to share our reading habits. I must admit that my reading habit is far from regular. When push comes to shove with work and life events, I find that my joy for reading frequently gets pushed aside. How would my students view me as a teacher, if they knew my true reading habit? I make it a priority to allow my students at least 20 minutes of independent reading time per day, but for myself I don't put nearly as much emphasis on it.
I never thought to tell my students what I was hoping to read next. I have only ever told them what I am currently reading, but showing an eagerness to finish one book and begin another may encourage some of my more reluctant readers. I also have never kept a reading record for myself. Once again I am reflecting on things I hold my students accountable for, but not myself. I am excited to make a change in my classroom and begin sharing more about my reading life. Hopefully, by making my reading life more transparent, I can encourage more students to become lifelong readers long past the day they leave my classroom.
I completely agree that we should share our reading lives with our students even though I often feel like I am not the reader I would like to be. I found it was easiest to read books that aligned with the grade level that I taught. First, they were easy reads for me which is nice on days when my brainpower is tapped. Second, it made it easy to share with my students and place the right book in their hands. I did start keeping a reading journal similar to Routman's suggestions yet I feel that mostly helped me to remember books that I wanted to read or to share. Just being able to have conversations with students about books was that greatest reward that I achieved.
ReplyDeleteYou are right--it is a challenge sometimes to keep our reading lives active amidst all the other demands we face, but being able to share your reading identity with your students can definitely contribute toward building a community of readers! :-)
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