Annie Cherry November Blog, Reading Essentials Chapter 3, Share Your Reading Life, by Regie Routman

The big idea that I took away from this chapter was to lead by example!  I love to read, I always have a book in progress, perhaps two.  When I am shopping and see books, I am immediately drawn to pour over each jacket and debate whether I need it or not.  I get excited about book shopping like most women get excited about shoe shopping.  I have loved to read my entire life.  Much like the author, I need to own the book, I need to hold it in my hands.   Those of us who feel that way are uninterested in a tablet with a downloaded book on it!  "Reading gives me joy, comfort, perspective, new ideas, questions to ponder, and connections to other lives." (Routman, 24).  I completely agree with that statement, but I have always wondered how to convey that message to my kindergarten students.
I gained so many ideas from reading this chapter.  I believe that I will start a reading record for myself that I can share with my students.  These youngest readers and learners are like little sponges and they will emulate what they see.  I believe that if I show them my love of reading, it will inspire them to read.  I also think that showing them the variety of genres that I enjoy will encourage them to try new things like reading poetry or articles.   I also think that we, as educators, take so much of the joy from reading when we ask the children to do too many assignments with a text.  Simply allow them to read for the joy of reading!  If we do this, I think we will inspire many more children to become life long readers.  And that, after all, is the point, right?