Teelah Harris-Blog Post #4-Routman Chapter 5

My classroom library has grown to be the pride and joy in my classroom.  When I first stared teaching, my classroom library was just some books on the shelves.  But now, it has grown to be more organized.   Routman discusses how classroom libraries helps standardized testing scores.  A former principal at RES always told our students "the more you read, the more you know," which is such a true statement.  Students who have access to books tend to excel in schools.  So what better place to make sure students have things to read other than schools.  I particularly paid close attention to the section called "Be sure to include and value 'light reading."  I think sometimes as teachers we focus on the level of books instead of the students' enjoyment of the book.  This past month I had a struggling reader reading a book well above his reading level.  I was a bit concerned because I was sure that he did not understand what he was reading, but the more I conferred with him, I begin to see that he really did know and understand the book.  He could tell me about the book and hold a true discuss because he was interested in the book.  I think student interest is most important even if the book is somewhat easy or challenging to the reader.  Another important concept Routman mentions is "Light reading is essential for turning our struggling readers into competent readers."  Sometimes my struggling readers get discouraged because they aren't reading chapter book or books with a certain amount of pages.   This year I have had to work hard with my struggling readers to get them to understand that its ok not to have a book of a certain length.  Page length does not dictate the kid of reader they are.  After reading this chapter on classroom libraries, I am encouraged to have a "spotlight" of books that I've read and other students have read to encourage readers.  When I put books against my whiteboard, students seem more interested.  So I think if I make it more intentional for students it will continue to encourage my students to read.