Last week, I overheard a conversation during the break between 6th and 7th period.
One of my girls had just finished the third book in the Numbers series. She’d been reading this series since the beginning of the school year.
If you haven’t read it, I’d advise you to. It’s a good read…every single book.
She was a bit distraught because she thought there should have been a fourth book. We had a brief discussion about this.
As I walked away, I heard her tell another student that she’d always hated reading…until this year.
I could not help but smile.
I always tell my students that they’ll start off hating to read but by January, they’ll be totally into it.
The trick?
Matching the perfect book to the student.
To do that, you have to read the books yourself to provide authentic recommendations.
The kids know if you haven’t read the books.
I’m honest when I suggest titles. Either I’ve read the book, another student I know has, or I’ve read a good review.
My enthusiasm for books is like a virus that spreads. Kids can’t help but be caught up in it.
I truly believe that one big reason why my students make learning gains is because they learn to love the process.
One of my former students came to visit me yesterday and complained about the reading log she had to complete in her current reading class.
She picked up my Book Notes sheet and said, “It helped me connect to books.”
Ahem.
Connected readers comprehend.
#truth
I think one of my greatest joys as a reading teacher is when I see students learn to love the craft. When they come back to visit the next year just to borrow books or see what books I’ve recently purchased, I know a reader has been born.
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