tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post4091370612288699763..comments2024-02-09T07:57:45.221-05:00Comments on Leading Motivated Learners: Let's Not Kill The Love Of ReadingTonySinanishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00624064743310267544noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-83924097024553805702018-01-04T07:28:30.241-05:002018-01-04T07:28:30.241-05:00Hey! I could have sworn I've been to this blog...Hey! I could have sworn I've been to this blog before but <br />after browsing through some of the post I realized it's new to me.<br /><br />Anyways, I'm definitely happy I found it and I'll be book-marking and checking back often!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-71242298171705043522017-01-28T09:16:27.842-05:002017-01-28T09:16:27.842-05:00Teaching Common Core Standards doesn't mean yo...Teaching Common Core Standards doesn't mean you have to use specific materials. That is a choice made at either a school or district level. I teach ELA using a myriad of novels, magazines, excerpts from nonfiction books, and picture books among others. The skills prescribed in Common Core State Standards can be met in various ways. Teachers being forced to use a workbook or textbook stamped with "Common Core" is the unfortunate result of school boards and curriculum directors not being educated in best practices and looking for an "easy fix" so they can check CCSS off their list. I encourage you to speak with other teachers in your district or school and get the support of your teachers union. Adults don't read textbooks and workbooks - it's ridiculous that we would expect that teaching kids to read with them would inspire a life-long love of reading.mtgrizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16949305453889801713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-30444967955781034972017-01-16T22:21:48.319-05:002017-01-16T22:21:48.319-05:00I agree with so much of what you wrote here Tony. ...I agree with so much of what you wrote here Tony. As a reading specialist my ultimate goal is to help my students become life long readers...not just readers who can pass multiple choice tests. I go out of my way to introduce my struggling readers to authors they might enjoy because if a student doesnt enjoy a book then he/she isn't going to want to read it.<br />If I select a book for one of my reading groups and I notice a lack of enthusiasm for the book I will stop and take it out of their hands and say,"There are so many books we can choose to read, let's find a better one!" The first time I do this my students are always like, "Really? We can do that?" Learning they can put a book down when they find they don't like it is giving them the power of choice. Choice is so important for developing a love for reading...for kids and adults!<br />I also feel the way I present a book can make the difference in a child's attitude towards reading it! If I can introduce a book with a clip from Youtube on the topic I will! If I can offer a graphic novel version of a text to the student who might need the visuals I will! <br />I always ask my kids what they are interested in and I look for reading material on those topics and we read news articles, poems, and plays...not just books. <br />Every day I ask my students what they are reading for fun and if they can't tell me I have them look through my book shelves because I am always buying new books for them to try! I tell them to take it home and see if they get hooked! There are times they will bring the book back and say "Nah, it wasn't good!" But then there are also those days when we have victories, where we found that perfect match and the kid can't put the book down! I love when that happens! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01971869938271028185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-30537201828212500372017-01-13T20:05:10.274-05:002017-01-13T20:05:10.274-05:00Hi, Tony. Thank you for sharing this post! I also...Hi, Tony. Thank you for sharing this post! I also admire Kelly Gallagher because his books are full of practical literacy strategies. He inspired me to create a Free Reading Program a few years ago, and over the course of a year, students do start to like reading. A few begin to LOVE it! <br /><br />After doing a survey this semester, my ELs asked that we have more reading time. I then gave them a choice of continue reading past the 10 minutes for 5 more minutes OR they can use the 5 minutes to write about what they read. What did you think most of them did?<br /><br />Yep, most of them decided just to continue reading. <br /><br />I wrote to describe the process of creating a Free Reading Program on this post: http://www.empoweringells.com/2016/08/27/a2-prevent-readicide-with-ells/. It includes videos and photos of the process. <br /><br />Thanks again for your post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13239627487424820097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-52023402689627298662017-01-11T20:50:13.091-05:002017-01-11T20:50:13.091-05:00I could have written this. I can't tell you h...I could have written this. I can't tell you how many times I've explained this in reference to my own children. It makes me frustrated and sad being such an avid reader myself. I have blamed the "incentive" programs their elementary school has implemented. Many parents complain but it falls on deaf ears. I try so hard to NOT be this teacher. The balance can be difficult but attainable.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13862934091878290596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-28071158322643158592017-01-10T16:57:16.611-05:002017-01-10T16:57:16.611-05:00I so agree... perfectly put!I so agree... perfectly put!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15692555079305794577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-30020278882338566202017-01-08T09:43:47.869-05:002017-01-08T09:43:47.869-05:00As an educator and a parent, this post resonated w...As an educator and a parent, this post resonated with me. I love the teachers we have entrusted our kids with. Love them. But we are a Nerdy, reading family. And I know I'm growing readers. One took longer than the other to grow, that's okay. But now we are given a reading log for my "longer growing reader." So the choice and excitement is fading, and I see him choosing books to just be done with the requirement. I'm balancing between teaching my Growing Reader to respect what the teacher has asked him to do (he's 8) and knowing him as a reader. It's good stuff to chew on that you presented here. Thanks for putting out there. You are a brave writer. Kendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05470220603745815384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-41892394521518724292017-01-08T07:58:28.774-05:002017-01-08T07:58:28.774-05:00A lot of good points here, however, what you don&#...A lot of good points here, however, what you don't realize is that it isn't reading logs, teachers, AR or other accountability practices that are killing the love of reading. It's video games and technology. Kids would rather stay up late playing those games than do anything else or watch TV. This has led to very short attention spans, which also make it difficult for a child to settle down and read. This has also affected adults in our society as well. Video game addiction has become a very dangerous thing in our society and losing the love of reading has been one of the symptoms.English Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07851976321420313572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-67552342395330181152017-01-08T00:06:45.012-05:002017-01-08T00:06:45.012-05:00O.k how to children prepare for High School if the...O.k how to children prepare for High School if they don't now how to paraphrase or write a book report. How do they prepare for post secondary if they can not take what they read in a text book or what the teacher says and put that on paper. How do they prepare for the workforce and do these same skills we no longer want them to do. A receptionist needs to write what is said in a meeting, a manager needs to write notes to keep track of what is said in a meeting. I feel the more skills they are working on the more likely they will do well in post secondary.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-30271546597934084142017-01-07T17:34:55.102-05:002017-01-07T17:34:55.102-05:00Tony,
Please take a minute and see what you think ...Tony,<br />Please take a minute and see what you think about this program we have developed because we see the very same problems you do. Let's not wait to do something about it. I would love to spread the word about Just Read!<br />http://justreads.weebly.com/<br />Kim Kim Thameshttp://justreads.weebly.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-89788170436839780042017-01-07T17:22:33.663-05:002017-01-07T17:22:33.663-05:00Hi Amycrista, I would encourage you to read Kelly ...Hi Amycrista, I would encourage you to read Kelly Gallagher's book, In the Best Interest of Students and Penny Kittle's Book Love. Kelly spoke here recently and explained how he conducts reading conferences with his students in high school. 10 minutes a day with 3-4 students. Penny Kittle does something similar. Kelly explained that he is able to conference with all of his students in about a week and a half to two week period. Makes a huge difference with students. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12425658702366996712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-39854306780932401972017-01-07T17:14:38.962-05:002017-01-07T17:14:38.962-05:0075 conferences? If I met with each of my students ...75 conferences? If I met with each of my students that would be 260 conferences. So, no, that doesn't happen. I do give lots and lots of choice in reading.<br />Denée Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16702208333567752258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-4228970391873435232017-01-07T17:08:49.157-05:002017-01-07T17:08:49.157-05:00I'm a public librarian who was going to make a...I'm a public librarian who was going to make a recommendation for the book, The Book Whisperer, also. Now I'll look for Reading in the Wild. I'm hoping to institute some programs to encourage reading soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-86431006397508290572017-01-07T12:54:27.832-05:002017-01-07T12:54:27.832-05:00Sometimes.....school children must be coerced into...Sometimes.....school children must be coerced into doing what they think is dumb. Like the author stated, his son enjoys reading what he wants to read. Is it a good idea to eliminate reading requirements that can measure a student's reading and comprehension skills? Those skills will likely be very important in other future learning experiences, but if a student is only required to read what they "enjoy" reading, they'll be frustrated when they need to be able to read for comprehension. <br /><br />I read the comments (most of the posters appear to be teachers or former teachers) and Runnergirl on 1/04 and Amycrista on 1/05 posted interesting comments. The voluntary student book club sounds good to me.<br /><br />My daughters are polar opposites when it comes to reading. Elizabeth (26) read about 90 books last year while Meredith (23 and in 2nd year of med school) will tell me that she can't read. One reads for fun and the other reads because she must to meet her career goal. We read to both of them every night until they could read to us, so I guess kids are wired differently---always will be.<br /><br />My wife and I have been in the Milton Library history book club for a while and some of the books have been tough to read while others end too soon. We switch from world history one month to US history and as can be expected I'm more fond of the US history subjects, but I always learn about something interesting and important reading those world history books.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15882649977155310659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-32024554276462682362017-01-06T23:44:29.858-05:002017-01-06T23:44:29.858-05:00Because we are told to do this by admin. Literally...Because we are told to do this by admin. Literally. Our district instructional specialists have begun doing their own walk thrus to see if we are doing what they put in the district instructional plans. Everybody teach the same thing, on the same day, in the same way, or else! I hate it. It feels like the more I do things 'their' way, the worse I get as a teacher. I cry. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-6532982224147527632017-01-06T22:15:18.746-05:002017-01-06T22:15:18.746-05:00My son stopped reading too in the 8th and 9th grad...My son stopped reading too in the 8th and 9th grade because wrestlers and football players teased him mercilessly for always having a book.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15361237557749633421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-51783238812087465792017-01-06T16:05:52.773-05:002017-01-06T16:05:52.773-05:00Let us consider the reasons the writer wrote the b...Let us consider the reasons the writer wrote the book. When the primary purpose of fiction is to create texts that use most of the words on the SAT vocabulary list, or to promote social justice, or to create diversity the result is really awful literature that no one wants to read. Stories drive the love of reading. Good writing drives the love of ready. Agendas don't drive the love of reading. And that SAT vocabulary list? The only way to be prepared for that is by a lot of readingCLWAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03771260503628072242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-73970773983642516142017-01-06T14:11:56.352-05:002017-01-06T14:11:56.352-05:00Unfortunately we must prepare students for standar...Unfortunately we must prepare students for standardized testing. Reading parts of stories or passages and then completing multiple choice or open response answers is always a part of that. Now they are expected to read two different texts and write a comparative essay about them. If we do not model those kinds of activities many student would not only fail but have much greater test anxiety then they already have. I am a math teacher but I see what our ELA teachers are up against with the new PARCC testing heading our way.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-37344759330797407822017-01-06T12:59:28.948-05:002017-01-06T12:59:28.948-05:00Crystal Hoyt: Wonderful. As an avid reader who gre...Crystal Hoyt: Wonderful. As an avid reader who grew up to become a librarian, I LOATHED reading logs/sharing in school. For me, reading has always been a very personal experience. I clam up in book group trying to unearth all of the "ah ha" moments I had while reading. Let kids read. If children are struggling, and don't know what to read..suffering through the "there's nothing I like" answer, then send them to the librarian!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11216728605701263313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-86329415160544731482017-01-06T05:15:42.772-05:002017-01-06T05:15:42.772-05:00After reading for 15 minutes any book of their cho...After reading for 15 minutes any book of their choice wherever they sit or stretch out, my 4th graders are given the choice to either write on paper or type on Edmodo for approximately 5-10 minutes about their reading. Then, they have an additional 10 minutes to read their classmates' responses and reply to them. I sometimes provide feedback, too. I agree that students who have choices are more engaged in their learning than when they are required to read within their "reading range" or complete an at-home reading log. Through these threaded discussions, I have found my students write more and more words and are engaged in their reading because they are sharing their experiences with an authentic audience (their peers) who are asking for more details, disagreeing respectfully, and/or encouraging the reader/writer! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the research. High-five!Julie CDMHhttp://letsinnovatetogether.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-49960121837690612812017-01-06T04:20:42.089-05:002017-01-06T04:20:42.089-05:00After 15 minutes of free choice reading, my 4th gr...After 15 minutes of free choice reading, my 4th graders have the choice of writing on pen/paper or going onto Edmodo to type about their reading for 5 minutes. Then, they have an additional 10 minutes to read their peers' responses and reply to them. The threaded discussions on paper or Edmodo are reviewed (and sometimes commented on) by me. I agree that when students have choices, they'll enjoy the process and be more engaged with/in the learning journey; and, because they're writing for an authentic audience (their peers), they are writing more words and with details--especially when someone asks for more detail. I have found that students are more engaged readers and writers when they share their experiences with each other. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the research.Julie CDMHhttp://letsinnovatetogether.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-29686271525446072612017-01-06T00:40:58.857-05:002017-01-06T00:40:58.857-05:00Even districts with teacher's unions are deali...Even districts with teacher's unions are dealing with what amycrista described. Teachers unions get teachers a fair salary, retirement, and keep class size down. They don't do much else. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-14260039601179208132017-01-05T22:53:00.128-05:002017-01-05T22:53:00.128-05:00One teacher on Pin Interest wrote of abandoning st...One teacher on Pin Interest wrote of abandoning student based reading logs and adopting teacher kept records. I tried that this year with my Year 8 (Victoria, Australia) students, asking them to focus on building their capacity to read for a long time. I would ask them what text they were reading and what page they were up to and keep a record from there. These guys are a tricky age group so I would also ask a random question at random points in the term (whose your favourite character? Whats just happened in your story? What has the bad guy done?) But the poor readers, would 'loose' their books, change their books too many times. And the poorest readers said, " I'm reading the words but not understanding the meaning". One superior reader hardly read anything at all from a book he chose (the life of Pi) and yet when asked to read aloud to me, read confidently and fluently. I think getting students to read is becoming more complicated beyond the need for record keeping.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14080531653091136750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-26727356222835628552017-01-05T22:15:49.248-05:002017-01-05T22:15:49.248-05:00I am a Third grade teacher and I totally agree! I ...I am a Third grade teacher and I totally agree! I also highly recommend "The Book Whisperer". It changed my thinking about reading instruction dramatically. At times, all of the demands of the curriculum overwhelm teachers and ultimately the kids. We need to stop, think, and put our students' needs first.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10371803165683847553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-27120248179774874152017-01-05T21:17:49.077-05:002017-01-05T21:17:49.077-05:00Excellent post!Excellent post!Boomp's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03996397763081528169noreply@blogger.com