RhondaCranford's December Blog Post: Routman (2003) Chapter 3: Share Your Reading Life

In Routman's section "Share Your Reading Life" he stresses the importance of letting the students know you as a reader.  Let them see why you read and that you value reading.  It is also important for young readers to know that adults read for a variety of reasons and that the genre of what they are reading changes.  I did ask my students earlier in the year why we read and some said to learn more and others said for fun.  I was impressed with  both answers.  I was very pleased though to hear first graders say reading is for fun.  Sometimes, I just seem to put off the reading for fun until a break or summer vacation.  I hope my first graders are reading for fun daily.  We discussed the different types of things they read for fun.  Several students commented they like books about dogs or cats.  Another child said she liked to read books to help her draw better.   I liked the point that Routman made about having book discussions in the classroom.  I think I will let the children share what books they are reading and why.  Would they recommend this book to others?  I am thinking about changing the way I have the students keep a reading log.  I really like the way Routman described the reading log.  It wasn't  about the number of pages but information that was useful about the book.  By keeping a log of books completed and a little information about the book the students are doing something beneficial.  I know if I kept it reading log I might not check out the same book from the library twice just to discover, "Oh yeah, I've already read this book."  By keeping a log of books completed and a statement or two about the book the student is also becoming responsible and it is removing the chore  of initialing to say, "Yes, my child read." from the parents busy routine.  We should let our students and others see us as people who read and value reading.