This chapter really opened my eyes to what students really need to become readers-real readers, not just students reading because they're told they have to, but students who read because they truly enjoy it. I love to read and I always have. As a teacher of reading, I must share with my students what it's like to love reading, my favorite books/genres, and my personal library. Routman says, "A great way to begin a school year is to examine your own reading life, make it visible to your students, and connect world reading with school reading." Without this connection, kids don't understand the importance of reading and why we're asking them to do it...so much! When I think about those students who don't enjoy reading, who haven't "gotten it" yet, even if their reading skills are good (and especially those whose reading skills are lacking), helping them make this connection should be the first thing I do as their teacher and it should begin on the first day of school. Routman ends the chapter by saying "if our students are to become readers, they have to enjoy reading and find it satisfying. Only then will they choose to read, read for their own purposes-and get high test scores, too." I look forward to sharing my love of reading with my students.
It is amazing to me the many seeds we plant as teachers of elementary school children. Some seeds take longer to germinate than others but if well nurtured, they will bloom. I am happy to hear about all the wonderful things you plan to do with your young students. Trust in what you do, because you are planting seeds in the good ground!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteI loved Routman's suggestions for helping instill a love of reading in our students by sharing our reading lives with them. This makes so much sense and I know that it will positively impact our relationships with our students and our classroom environment when they see as modeling what we are asking them to do. Thank you! Dawn