In Chapter 3 of Routman's Reading Essentials Book. "Share Your Reading Life" Routman discuses the importance of letting your students know that teachers actually have a reading life outside of Pinkalicious and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. She talks about when she first meets her students, she makes sure to include her life as a reader and she even brings books she is reading to show her students. I'm not sure what grade she was teaching, but when I was reading this chapter I couldn't help but think of how I could do this with my kindergartners. Especially at the beginning of the school year, when many of my students are very brand new readers and typically don't enjoy reading on their own because they "can't read". I think I could discuss my reading life later in the school year, maybe January or February when my students are more comfortable and familiar with reading and can understand what I am saying.
In chapter 3, Routman also talks about helping her students fall in love with reading, because reading isn't enjoyable then they wont want to read at all, especially for pleasure. I am always hopeful that later in their reading experiences my students will fall in love with getting lost in a book. I wish they could understand how fun reading is and the different worlds they could "experience" just by reading. I believe it is my job especially in kindergarten to begin their love for reading by choosing books my students will enjoy reading.
I love the thoughtful way you responded to the chapter, Rachel! I feel that you are thinking deeply about this. One thing fun to try with early readers is an author study, where your read aloud each day of the week a book by the same author, or a book in the same series. It's a way to turn students on to that author or character to help them reach that level of book love.
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteExcellent job with your reflection for this chapter! Not only was it clear what you read, but also what your take aways were for applying the suggestions into your classroom practice. I agree that it is our job as teachers to foster a love of reading in our students to help grow them into life long learners. Thanks, Dawn