The Book Whisperer Chapter 6

"Cutting The Teacher Strings"

My school is BIG on Accelerated Reader (AR)!  It is not mandatory for teachers to make the kids participate, but some teachers take grades on AR tests--which means the kids should probably take the test!  Many teachers, including me, encourage the students to take AR tests.  I always give my students the option to take AR tests on books we/they have read.  This past year, our librarian started an end of the year AR carnival. However many AR points the kids earned throughout the year, is how many tickets they get to use for different activities at the carnival.  The kids loved it!!

Here is Miller's view:  "These programs send a message to young readers that a book's value lies in how many points it is worth, and reduce comprehension to a series of low-level trivia bites gleaned from the book.  How does this sort of program prepare students for reading in the world outside of school?" 

The librarian challenges the students to read 100 books or chapters by the 100th day of school.  How do they "prove" they've read?  By filling out a reading log....of course!!  Just like AR, I do not make these mandatory, but if the kids want to go to the 100 book celebration, they've got to do it!

Here is Miller's view:  "...recorded time spent reading is no proof that students actually read much." 

"The log is a reward for students who have strong home support, but a punishment for those who don't."

"...the only way to make sure that your students are reading every day is to set aside time for it in class."

We, as teachers, need to let go of the control, and just let students READ!  Yes, we need to discuss, think critically, and write about books, but we need to let go a bit and let the kids READ!

"I want my students to learn what life readers know: reading is its own reward."

The Book Whisperer Chapter 5

Walking the Walk

Once again, the title of this chapter sums it up!

"If we want our students to read and enjoy it for the rest of their lives, then we must show them what a reading life looks like."  I've got something to confess...I like to read.  I do.   BUT I don't read as much as I would like or as much as I should.  It's not my fault--I have to blame the blog world!  I am improving though because I am currently reading three books. 1.  Made To Crave   2.  The Help    and    3.  The Book Whisperer, of course!

I love how Miller ends the chapter:   "You cannot inspire others to do what you are not inspired to do yourself."

The Book Whisperer Reader's Notebooks

Discussion Ideas:

1) Have you used Reader's Notebooks in the past? If so what did you like about it?
I'm going to be honest here.  Last year I tried (kind of....a little bit....half-heartedly), but eventually just stopped because I didn't know what the heck I was doing.  Not a good excuse I know.  I think it could have been something great IF I had kept moving forward with them.

2) If you have not used Reader's Notebooks how do you plan to incorporate them this year into your reading program?
I really don't have it all planned out, but here's what I am thinking....so far.  I teach 1st grade, so I will start off slowly and do a lot of modeling.  The beginning of the year may look something like this-- After doing a read aloud, we will talk/discuss/share ideas about the book and write them on chart paper.  Eventually, after lots of practice, the kids will each have their own notebook and write on their own. 

3) How will you schedule the Reader's Notebook due dates in order to be able to effectively read and respond authentically to all your students?
As I said, I'm still trying to work things out in my head (which can be very dangerous!), but I think I will pick the notebooks up once a week.  I want the kids to know that I think what they are writing is valuable, so I want to be sure and respond to their notebook entries. 

"Readers whispering back and forth about their reading experiences-this is how reading should look."  --Donalyn Miller

Want to share your thoughts on Reader's Notebooks?  Head on over!

The Book Whisperer Chapter 4

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading,

to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs,

is good for him."       Richard McKenna

How do you choose books to read?
You've heard not to judge a book by its cover, but I still do sometimes! 
When I am looking for a book to read, I look at the cover/title.  Does it look/sound interesting?  I also look at the author.  If I've read and enjoyed a book by them before, then I would be willing to try another one. 
Lately I've been asking friends what they are reading.  If they liked it enough to recommend it, then I might just give it a try! 

Have you read any good books lately?
I am hoping to borrow a copy of The Help.  I want to read the book before we see the movie next month.



One of the things Miller talked about in this chapter is that it is okay to stop reading a book if you do not enjoy it.  This is hard for me because I want to finish every book because maybe, just maybe, it will get better....if....I....just....keep....reading.  That doesn't always work!!

I wish I had known about "The Rights of the Reader" by Daniel Pennac before now.  One of the rights is "The right not to finish."  It would have saved me a lot of time and frustration.

Miller says, "My goal for all my students is for them to discover that they can be readers."  That should be the goal of every teacher, shouldn't it?  No matter what our kids come to us with, they can be readers.  Does that mean every kid will leave your room at the end of the year at or above grade level?  Of course not, but every child can be a reader!

Miller continues, "It is important to celebrate milestones with students and focus on their reading successes, not their failure to meet requirements, which only serves to discourage students."  Yes, yes, and yes!  It can be hard to do with all the focus on kids who are "below grade level", but we have to keep them motivated so they KEEP READING!

The Book Whisperer Chapter 3

"There's a Time and a Place"

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Donalyn Miller in chapter 3.

* "If I don't make time for them to read in school, why should they make time for it in their life?"

* "Time spent reading feeds more reading.  The more my students read, and grow into a community of readers, the more they want to read."

* "No single literacy activity have a more positive effect on students' comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing ability, and overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading."

* "Because reading has more impact on students' achievement than any other activity in school, setting time for reading must be the first activity we teachers write in our lesson plans, not the last.  It is said that we make time for what we value, and if we value reading, we must make  time for it."

* "No exercise gives more instructional bang for the buck than reading."

*  "The more time students spend reading each day, the more ingrained it becomes as a daily habit."

*  "It is important to encourage young readers when they explore options for reading anywhere they can."

To summarize this chapter..... students need to read, read, READ, READ, READ, and READ some more!!

The Book Whisperer Student Surveys

On my campus, the students go to the library during my conference time, so I am not with them to help/guide them in choosing books.  The librarian sets the guidelines for what books can be checked out.  The younger students are only allowed to check out 1-2 books, so I usually go check out a bunch of books to keep in the classroom for them to read as well.  Most of the time I pick out books based on what we are studying in Science or Social Studies. 

But...I've never done a student survey.  I've never taken the time to really dig deep and see what my students are interested in....for the purpose of guiding them toward books anyway.  That sounds really bad when I think about it!    That will change this school year.  I will have my students complete a survey so I can do a better job of encouraging the kids to read. 

"Their needs as readers, as people, call to me from the pages of those surveys, and I whisper back with books".  Donalyn Miller (page 46)

Check out Primary Inspired to see a survey geared toward the younger kiddos.




Find another survey @ Primary Graffiti.

The Book Whisperer Chapter 2

"Everbody is a Reader"

The title of this chapter says it all!  Everybody is a reader, but we usually throw a label on our students telling what kind of a reader they are.  And to be honest...the labels can be kind of negative, so I love the labels that Miller uses:  Developing Readers (these are the ones who struggle), Dormant Readers (ones who CAN read when they HAVE to , but don't read on their own), and Underground Readers (these are the kids that come to us as avid readers). 

Page 23 had a lot of good things that I needed to hear:

"Choosing not to read is never discussed.  It is simply not an option."  LOVE IT!

"I must believe that my students are readers--so that they can believe it."  YEP!

"Providing students with the opportunity to choose their own books to read empowers and encourages them.  It strengthens their self confidence, rewards their interests, and promotes a positive attitude toward reading by valuing the reader and giving him or her a level of control.  Readers without power to make their own choices are unmotivated."  SO TRUE!

On page 37, Miller ends the chapter with, "Students must believe that they can read and that reading is worth learning how to do well.  We have to build a community that embraces every students and provides acceptance and encouragement no matter where students are on the reading curve."

AMEN!

The Book Whisperer Intro & Chapter 1

Discussion Ideas: 

(Feel free to use these to help with your own posts if you want!)

How did you feel as you started reading? What were your first thoughts, connections, insights?

I was so excited when I found this book study!  I am willing to admit that I need and want help so that I can become a better reading teacher.  I want my kids to LOVE reading... to WANT to read.  I can't wait to get further into the book so I can start making plans for the upcoming school year!

Were you like me and finally felt as though you had found someone who was speaking your language?

So much of what Donalyn Miller said and felt could have come right from me!  I've had the same frustrations with wondering what I was doing/not doing well.  If I felt frustrated about Reading time, how many of my students were feeling the same way?

Which part jumped out at you and made you say "aha!! I knew it"?

On page 17, Miller writes, "Instead of teaching books, I taught comprehension strategies and literary elements that students could apply to a wide range of texts."  I know this is common sense, but apparently I still needed to hear it....AGAIN!




Here is the WORDLE I created all about Reading.....or so I thought!   Somehow other random words form my posts somehow popped up as well!    Visit http://www.wordle.net/ to create your own!



The Book Whisperer Book Study

For more information about The Book Whisperer book study please visit Thinking of Teaching.

 QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

1) What is your favourite book (or series) from childhood?

I was so excited when I found this in my school's library a few years ago:

 

2) What is your favourite book (or series) now?

I think I have read every book that Maeve Binchy has ever written, and it all started with Circle of Friends.

3) What is your opinion of e-readers?

I've never actually used one, but if that's how people want to read...go for it!

4) Finish this sentence: "On Sundays I like to..."

I'd like to say relax and hang out with family/friends after church, but I'm usually cleaning, doing laundry, school stuff, figuring out what I'm going to wear for the week.  You know, the important stuff!

 5) Describe yourself in 5 words!

Christian, Mom, Teacher, Friend, Singer  (I'm kinda good--at least in my mind!)

6) Hardcover or paperback? Why?

Paperback, and because it's more flexible I guess!

7) Coffee or Tea?

COFFEE....anytime, anywhere!