Summary
- Start the year with a book frenzy. Listen to what your students need instead of telling them what you think they need to hear. Choice matters because it empowers and encourages students to read. It promotes a positive attitude toward reading by valuing the reader and giving him a level of control. Choosing not to read is simply not an option. Use positive language to identify the types of readers in the class. There are 3 trends: developing readers, dormant readers, and underground readers. The primary goal of teachers should be to instill the life habits of readers in all of her students. Student surveys~ Reading Interest-A-Lyzer surveys can be analyzed for information that will help to encourage students to read. Teachers need to know about students’ past reading experiences and interest in order to make personal reading recommendations.
Relevant Vocabulary
Developing readers
Dormant Readers
Underground Readers
Authentic Texts
Dormant Readers
Underground Readers
Authentic Texts
To Use in Your Classroom
- Never limit the want to read. In structured classroom library, don’t wait for kids to check out books. Full and free range of materials on day 1. “Since that landmark day, when I decided to listen to what my students needed and not tell them what I thought they needed to hear, I have always started the school year with this book frenzy” (Miller 22)
- The use of more encouraging words should be used for readers instead of ‘struggling’ and ‘reluctant’. It boosts self-confidence.
- Finding student’s interests enhances their likelihood of reading because you can find a book they enjoy.
- Lenient rules; don’t scare with grades. Reassure that if they keep reading, then they’ll be fine with their grade. This lessens the burden on children to read so they can actually enjoy what they’re doing.
Picture: http://n8tip.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/kid-reading2.jpg