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Choosing to Read: Connecting Middle Schoolers to Books
"They aren't going to read A Tale of Two Cities no matter how many times we assign it. Put Dickens away for a bit and try some books that will turn your students into real readers." Joan Schroeder Kindig
What do we ultimately want from our students as readers? More than just becoming readers, we want them to want to read. Drawing on her personal experiences as a professor of reading education and a children's literature specialist, Joan Schroeder Kindig shares the secrets of how to turn your reading program into one that allows for student choice, entices children with books that are relevant to their lives, and turns kids into real readers. This conversational text has everything you need to jump-start kids reading by harnessing their social life and providing meaningful texts, PLUS! Essays on student choice and relevance from eight of the hottest young adult authors. Reading is a choice. Motivate your students to read by connecting them to books they can relate to.
What do we ultimately want from our students as readers? More than just becoming readers, we want them to want to read. Drawing on her personal experiences as a professor of reading education and a children's literature specialist, Joan Schroeder Kindig shares the secrets of how to turn your reading program into one that allows for student choice, entices children with books that are relevant to their lives, and turns kids into real readers. This conversational text has everything you need to jump-start kids reading by harnessing their social life and providing meaningful texts, PLUS! Essays on student choice and relevance from eight of the hottest young adult authors. Reading is a choice. Motivate your students to read by connecting them to books they can relate to.
152 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2012
2 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Laura Robb
126 books4 followersAuthor, teacher, coach, and speaker, Laura Robb has completed 43 years of teaching in grades 4-8.
She presently coaches teachers in reading/writing workshop at Powhatan School in Virginia and coaches teachers in grades K-8 in Staunton, Virginia, Long Island, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and West Nyack, New York.
She presently coaches teachers in reading/writing workshop at Powhatan School in Virginia and coaches teachers in grades K-8 in Staunton, Virginia, Long Island, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and West Nyack, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 6, 2013
Joan's ideas about choice and relevance reinforce my beliefs. I enjoyed her classroom anecdotes, smiling at her students' comments and experiences. Includes essays from popular authors like Michael Buckley, as well as numerous booklists of engaging books for middle schoolers.
August 8, 2019
It was so fun to find this book at the Goodwill! I have been saying for years that assigning "classics" to middle school and high school kids kills their love of reading and this book is all about that. When kids can choose what they read they become readers!! And if you have to have the whole class read the same book, let it be a book they can get into and want to read - there is so much amazing middle grade and YA lit available...let The Scarlet Letter wait, let Heart of Darkness wait, there's time.
February 4, 2013
An excellent resource for middle school teachers, literacy coaches, and principals considering changing their reading program. Rich in author essays, classroom examples, and book recommendations.
"There is always some risk when trying something new, an risk and change can be scary. In this book I walk you through what it will take to change your reading program from one that isn't getting the results you want to one that allows for student choice, entices children with books that are relevant to their lives, and turns kids into real readers.". -excerpt from Joan Schroeder Kindig's Invitation to Change
"There is always some risk when trying something new, an risk and change can be scary. In this book I walk you through what it will take to change your reading program from one that isn't getting the results you want to one that allows for student choice, entices children with books that are relevant to their lives, and turns kids into real readers.". -excerpt from Joan Schroeder Kindig's Invitation to Change
May 19, 2013
I like this book, even though it talks about ideas I already believe, but reinforcement is always nice. I liked the list of books and summaries - some I had read, some I hadn't. It's good for 3-5 grade teachers as well, because a lot of their kids are reading at a higher level and the pedagogy still applies.
January 5, 2013
I think this is a good companion to Teri Lesesne's Reading Ladders. Both provide sound instructional practices as well as invaluable advice about books. I plan to oder titles from both on my Christmas Amazon giftcards.
February 6, 2013
I liked this one even though it didn't tell me anything I don't already know. It's a great book to hand to the language arts department b/c it's relevant, quick and practical. Another thing I liked was the inclusion of current titles in the various book lists.
June 12, 2013
I think every middle school teacher (particularly those who teach Language Arts and reading) need to read this book! I think teachers of fourth and fifth grade would benefit too! Excellent book about teaching reading to develop lifelong learners and readers!
November 3, 2013
Great resource for teachers and librarians.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews