Summary
- Discuss with students the methods they use to choose books and that all readers “cheat” (do not finish books). Some books are boring. Let students know that it is okay to abandon books that are not working for them.
- The rights of the reader: http://www.walker.co.uk/bookshelf/the-rights-of-the-reader-poster.aspx
- Empower students by letting them make some of the book choices that will be read as a class. By valuing their opinions, teachers can let students know that their preferences are just as important.
- Reading requirement: 40 books. She tries to encourage a certain amount from the various genres, but if a student is set on one genre she does not push the issue. There are benefits to reading deeply in one genre as well as reading a variety of texts. The reading requirement forces students to take responsibility for their own reading instead of the teacher taking it for them. It is important to celebrate milestones with students by focusing on their successes rather than their failure to meet requirements. Students must choose and read many books in order to “catch the reading bug.”
- Teacher has a reading list of her own because need to always be planning to read another book.
- Integrate subjects by layering reading and writing within the curriculum. Students end up “hungering for more information” when teachers go the extra mile to provide more than what is given in their textbooks.
- Share several high-interest books with students to introduce them to authors.
- Meet students where they are by allowing them to share knowledge they have from movies and television shows as well as books.
- Sections of the reader’s notebook: tally list, reading list, books-to-read list, response entries (p.96).
- Letter exchanges with the teacher are a way for a more experienced reader to communicate with a less experienced reader, but not a list of probing questions to make sure the student read.
Relevant Vocabulary
Tally List
Reading List
Books to read list
Response entries
Reader’s notebook
Fantasy
Informational
Historical fiction
Escapist
Realistic fiction
Tome
Genre
Reading List
Books to read list
Response entries
Reader’s notebook
Fantasy
Informational
Historical fiction
Escapist
Realistic fiction
Tome
Genre
To Use in Your Classroom
- Books are boring response- “We launch into a discussion of what to do when a book gets boring, and I give my students outright permission to abandon books that are not working for them” It doesn't mean that that book doesn't have potential, it’s just not relating to the student’s interests. Don’t lose motivation for reading in a book you don’t like!
- Gain trust- take students’ recommendations and actually read the books they recommend. You get to know your students better and they can trust you when YOU give them recommendations as well. It’s an exchange.
- Tripping Over the Lunch Lady good read aloud suggestion for older grades.
Picture: http://www.palmdriveapts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Children-Reading-130341891.jpg