Nurturing the Love of Reading
Growing as a reader requires reading. A lot. Thus...
We want kids to read a lot. Therefore...
We need to encourage a love of reading.
But how?
1. Know Your Readers
You can’t teach them well, if you don’t know them well. Research indicates there is a connection between student achievement and positive relationships. Marzano (2011) notes that “Positive relationships between teachers and students are among the most commonly cited variables associated with effective instruction” (p.82).
2. Share Lots of Great Books
How did you hear about the last book you read? What did you do after you finished the most recent book that you REALLY enjoyed? “Children should choose their own reading material most of the time, but they need exposure to a book flood to determine what books they like and learn how to choose their own books.” –Donalyn Miller
Introduce authors and books through read-alouds.
Create frequent opportunities for children to preview, share, and select books.
Increase children’s access to books.
Above all, validate children’s book choices when they select their own books to read.
(from “The Importance of Choice in Fostering Independent Reading”by Donalyn Miller, sixth-grade teacher at Trinity Meadows Intermediate School in Keller, TX and author of The Book Whisperer )
3. Make Time for Choice Reading
“Reading should not be presented to a child as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift” –Kate DiCamillo
“Independent reading is just as important [as teaching ELA skills], if not more so, because it makes reading a habit. It is essential for kids to see themselves as readers, to consider reading a part of their identity. --James Aycock, director of scholar support at Grizzlies Prep in Memphis, TN
When every book a child reads is chosen for them — by parents or teachers — children lose self-motivation to read and interest in reading.
Empowering students to choose in these early experiences sets them up for success as lifelong readers.
Book choices tell us a lot about our students. We learn about their dreams for the future, interests we have in common, and why they act the way they do in class.
When students have the opportunity to talk with each other about their books, they have the opportunity to form new relationships and build a true learning community.
Keep the conversation going in the comments or in your own circles. Question for Reflection: How do you encourage your students to read? How do you model what it means to be a lover of books?