Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Chapter 1: The Missing Objective...
Throughout Chapter 1, Layne argues that we have one major objective missing in our reading plans and programs: fostering a love of reading. It goes without saying that today's education system focuses more on the "skill" than the "will" to read due to standardized testing, AYP, etc. However, that is something that is beyond our control. In terms of what we can control within our classrooms, how can we instill a "will" to read in our students so they can avoid becoming the disengaged readers that Layne refers to in his book? What kinds of things are you already doing in your classroom or what ideas do you have that others could try for instilling a love of reading in students?
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I am trying very hard this year to read to my first graders every day after lunch.I think this will ignite a passion for reading.
ReplyDeleteIn 5th grade we emphasize Newbery Award winning books. This week I am looking forward to beginning "The Sign of the Beaver". We will be making Reading Response Journals to give the students opportunites to respond to the story in a variety of ways.
ReplyDeleteI am incorporating daily read alouds with chapter and picture books. When there is available time, I try to talk with students about books that I am currently reading, have read, or would like to read. I also use interesting non-fiction text to supplement science and social studies instruction. I allow my students to choose desired books from the library and we compare and contrast text to movie when applicable.
ReplyDeleteI had a teacher who treated books like they were treasures. She would hold the book up to the class, smile, and show us the illustrations. She would show us each page as she read and described how the words and illustrations made her feel. It was wonderful listening to her and it made me want to get that book and read it for myself. I have noticed my students feel that way after I read the trade books from Being A Writer. They all want to read it again themselves. I think it's because we discuss the illustrations and how each word the author has written has meaning and makes the story better. They get excited about the book! It is my goal to get my students to look at books this way when they are reading independently. My strategy is to model for them how special a book is the way my teacher did for me.
ReplyDeleteI make a point to bring up books that I have read or am reading that are children's literature. I want to children to see my excitement for reading. I post books around my boards that I have read. My students know this means that I have read that book and it was a favorite for me! I change those out often. They all love reading those books and chatting with me about it. I try to always have one longer chapter book that is our class read aloud. And I also choose shorter books to share daily. I show interest in the books my students choose from the library. I also try to always give a book as a gift for Christmas. If I know a student is interested in a certain subject and they are not showing that love for reading I am desiring from them, I will check out some books in the library on the topic they like, or purchase some. I will call them over and show them and say something like, "I saw these books or book, and it made me think of you! Would you like to read it? I would love for you to tell me about it!" They always get so excited and feel special that I found those books just for them!
ReplyDeleteI think we ignite a passion for reading by allowing students to see our passion for reading. We should all have favorite authors and a favorite text in every genre so that when we see kids reading a particular genre we can say, "Oh... you are reading a __________. If you love that you need to read ___________. It's may favorite book in that genre. Kids will want to read what we recommend to them to read. If we don't model our excitement for authors, genres, and reading itself, who will be that model for them?
ReplyDeleteAmanda Yoder: I try to encourage my students to read books that they enjoy reading. I allow time for my students each day to have some quite reading time to really enjoy the book they are reading. I always try to make sure I check in with my students to see what they are reading and making sure they are enjoying the books they are getting from the library. I try to incorporate reading throughout the curriculum, by using trade books for Social Studies and Science skills covered in 3rd grade. The more I can pull books into the classroom and read the aloud the more I hope my students will enjoy reading for themselves. Hopefully I will be an awesome role model for students to want to read for enjoyment!
ReplyDeleteI try to begin everyday by reading a story to my students. Kindergarten age children love to be read to. As we progress throughout the day I try to pull in a book as often as possible to make the learning experience more "real" for them. We spend some time each day reading to ourselves ,as well as, reading with a partner. On our weekly library visit students are allowed to choose a book that is of interest to them. They truly enjoy searching for the books and reading them afterwards.
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