Jordan Varn: September Blog: The Pleasure Principle

When you think of reading, pleasure may or may not come to mind. Perhaps, you think of the beach with a torn book in hand and the soft waves crashing in the background. Maybe you visualize a comfortable bed and a dim light shining on the pages of your book as words become alive. Regardless, most teachers find reading to be something of pleasure. However, do students feel this way? After reading "The Pleasure Principle", it is confirmed that YES! Children CAN love reading...even the struggling students! When teaching third grade, I had my classroom set up that modeled the approach in the article. Students would begin the reading workshop with a mini-lesson. Students would then immediately practice this strategy or concept from their own text.Sometimes, to assess the students they would respond using sticky-notes. When you would walk in, you would find my students everyone in my classroom. Some students sitting at their desk. Some students sitting on the carpet with comfortable pillows. Some students sitting in fun chairs around the room. If the students weren't reading independently, they would be exploring the school library to find the next "just right" book to dive into. Some students would be meeting with me as we worked on a skill that they were struggling in or perhaps, I was meeting with a student one-on-one for a reading conference. They would tell me about their book. The students LOVED to talk about their reading. This is so crucial for reading. According to the article, volume and enthusiasm are the KEYS to "real reading". I totally agree with Nancie Atwell about the rewards. Students need to become enthusiastic about their reading in order to grow as readers. They need to long to turn the pages of their book and become totally lost in the "reading zone". As I have began working in a 5th grade classroom, I have felt many different issues arise. I have asked myself over and over again this year so many questions as I struggle with meeting the needs of my reading students with my philosophy. I ask myself, "How do I implement reading in only 50 minutes?" "How do I grow my library to better meet the needs of my readers since most of my literature is on a third grade reading level?" How do I make my classroom more inviting with twenty-five bodies and large desks in the way?" "How do I monitor their independent reading when they are not with me because they are reading in homeroom?" This year has been an adjustment. I am still looking for the best way to implement this approach and to inspire students to love reading. I agree that the reading workshop approach is very beneficial for all students.  However, how do I make it work in my new teaching position? After reading this article, it gave me hope because of the age of the students in the author's classroom.  I know there is a way. Give them time to read! As simple as it seems, making the time is the teacher's struggle.