Kendall Children's Lit. 2015 discussion
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The Book Whisperer
"Everybody is a Reader"
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Key Ideas to Remember
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Deb
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Jan 13, 2015 05:07PM
What are the key ideas that you would like to remember for your own students?
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I feel that one of the biggest things I have taken away from this article is trying to adapt to each students needs as reader in the curriculum; instead of the reverse. It will allow those who already have a love of reading to stay interested and motivated in class. It also allows those who need to strengthen their skills the encouragement and tools to do so. Another thing that I need to remember is to get to know my students as much as possible (academically as well as non-academically). It will help me to contribute to helping me understand what resources they need to be the most successful.
I feel we have a lot of students that fall into the category of “Underground Readers” and they are looked over because all of the attention is focused on the “Developing and Dormant Readers.” What I would like to take away from our reading is that I need to be on top of books for my “Underground Readers” and put as much effort in encouraging and challenging their reading as is spent on the more underdeveloped readers.Even if that means I need to purchase and read more dragon books.
I think the key ideas that really stuck with me are that all children are readers, no matter what level they are. I think the concept of letting children chose their books is so important in order to be able to encourage them to read and to enjoy and find reading pleasurable. I loved that the author used surveys to help her find and recommend books that will appeal to each of her students individually.
My favorite think about this article was how excited all the students were about reading! The students all seemed to be excited all on their own without any encouraging form the teacher which makes me believe in the teacher saying how important it is to give the kids what they need, not what you want to give them. I personally struggled with assigned reading but really love reading when I have options and that is what I want to give my students. I want to pass my love of reading by helping them, mostly dormant readers, find books that they will love and encourage them to read.
I think the key ideas I got from this article is that curriculum should be student-centered as opposed to teacher-driven. In order to maintain student interest and foster a love for learning, the students should have a say or influence on what is taught in the classroom. In many of the texts and articles I have read, student driven curriculum is a big part of 21 century learning.
The key ideas that really stood out to me are definitely that the classroom should encourage a love for reading and especially for individual reading. I felt as though the article really emphasized the importance of making sure the students have the freedom to choose a book that truly interests them and is something they think they can read. This is particularly true in what the article calls an "Underground Reader." I think that if we focus on the freedom of letting our students choose their own books, we can ensure that our students are leaving the classroom with as much positivity towards reading AND reading in the classroom as possible.
Some key ideas that I want to remember for my own class are to adapt to all the students and really get to know what they enjoy and what will interest them. I want to remember that adapting to my students, whether it be letting them read their own books, books more on their level of reading, or motivating those who have no desire for reading, will help myself and my students get more involved in what the class offers. By doing this, the students will be and stay more motivated, making it more fun and exciting, not something the students HAVE to do they GET to do it.
Some key ideas that I would like to remember for my own students are to take the time to find out what types of readers they are. Another thing I loved about this article was how to show students how important reading is and to encourage them to read. I loved how the article said they got to pick their own books I love that idea. In my classroom one day I hope to have many books of all kinds so that I can encourage my students to read. Lastly I want to have my students read books of their choice everyday in the classroom. I want to put aside some time just so they can read and get better.
Deb wrote: "What are the key ideas that you would like to remember for your own students?"I believe that the most important idea expressed in the article "Everybody is a Reader" is actually written quite plainly in it's title; the author is expressing an idea relatively uncommon in many classrooms- the idea that everyone, absolutely everyone, can find some joy or merit in the written word. Everyone can read. She writes most expressly on page 23 that "Choosing not to read is never discussed. It is simply not an option. Although I never state it outright to my students, my mandate that they read and the enthusiasm I show for books sends a powerful message. I want my students to know that I see each of them as a reader. All students in the class are readers..." This idea is one I will strive to convey in my own classroom. I want my students to have access to the power that reading affords, whether it be intellectual, imaginative or spiritual. I want my students to become people who can take charge of their own literacy, choosing their own books and having likes and dislikes that differ from mine or their peers. The idea that everyone is a reader coupled with the idea or fact that reading is indeed powerful really stood out to me in this article.
I believe that the key idea that I want to remember for my own students, is that my showing excitement when talking about reading can change the way students view reading. The example at the beginning of the article about Jace who was "not an enthusiastic reader" got more interested reading because of how excited his classmates were about reading. It is important to remember that the feelings that we show the students about reading or any subject can effect your students. The classroom environment has a big impact on students individually throughout their education. This really stuck with me because I know that there are things that I was never a big fan of in school and looking back they were things that we didn't do everyday or the teacher wasn't as enthusiastic about it as they were other things. I believe that it is important to value what we teach to the students and make reading and other subjects exciting to students so they may enjoy the experience.
What i want to take away from this is simple, share the love of reading. When children see that you are interested, they will be too. Don't give a child a book and make it work for them to read, let them choose what they want, encourage them to try new books, and share the love of reading with them.
There were a few key ideas that I would like to one day utilize with my own students. First of all, there was a quote that really jumped out at me and is something that I actually wrote down while reading... "Readers without power to make their own choices are unmotivated" (23). This is something that I feel pretty strongly about because I know it is something that is seen in almost every classroom. I know that when I was in high school and my whole class was required to read a book that we had no interest in, it left everyone very unmotivated and uninterested. As a future educator, I plan to, with reason, let my students have more of a say in what they read compared to what I had growing up. This idea lead me to another memorable quote from Miller when she states, "No matter how dynamic and well planned my instruction was, if my classroom was not a motivational environment for readers, my instruction was doomed to fail" (34). I plan to learn from Miller's experiences and create my own motivational classroom for readers.
The first key idea I took away from this reading was that as a teacher it is your job to build confidence in each one of your students as a reader. One of the main ways to do this is by not focusing on book reports or worksheets when students are finished reading a book but, just help them to feel confident that they read the book. This leads into the second key idea I took away from this reading, show enthusiasm. It’s important to make your students feel like what they are doing is important and that you are proud of them no matter what level they are reading at. If you are excited about reading then they will be too. The third key idea I took away was allowing students to make their own choices. The teacher from the reading did a great job of letting students choose which books worked best for them. She also did a great job getting to know each student and learning their likes and dislikes so, that she could help them to find best fitting books for them that they would enjoy. Lastly, I took away was that you can’t let good readers fall off your radar. They need to be challenged as much as your low level readers.
For my own students I would like to remember the fact that every student comes from a different background, has a different idea of what reading is, and are at a different level, but that does not mean they are not capable of being great readers. I think it is very important to make sure you get to know your students like Miller did through the surveys in order to better select books for your student's unique interests. Also, one quote that especially stuck out to me was: "The man who does not read great books is no better than the man who does." -Mark Twain. I really thought this quote spoke to me and this is something I could see being in my future classroom. Another key point I took from this reading is to really allow students choice in selecting books, because when a student enjoys the subject and topic they are reading about they are going to have a better experience and come back for more.
One key idea from the reading that I would like to remember is that students love to have choices. I do believe that everyone is a reader, and I think that giving students control over their own reading really empowers and pushes them to be the best reader that they can be. Letting students pick their own books that they are interested in creates an engaging educational experience that they “get” to do, rather than an assignment that they “have” to do. Another key idea that I would like to remember from the reading is to not ignore dormant and underground readers simply because they are reading at grade level. These readers, although proficient, need to be pushed to their full reading potential. As a teacher, I want to meet all my students where they are, and push them where they need to go.
For my future students, I want to keep in mind that anyone and everyone is a reader. Even though there are different stages of readers, everyone can read. Everyone can find joy in reading. With the right role model in their life, students can develop a deeper passion for reading. As a future teacher, I want to provide a stimulating environment for all of my students. I want to encourage my students to read and share my excitement of reading with them. By doing this, it will provide them with a desire of wanting to read. A good example of this is the student Jace from the reading assignment. Jace was never an enthusiastic reader, but when surrounded by both his teacher and peers, who seemed to enjoy reading very much, he became interested in reading. Another thing I learned from the reading, that I want to keep in mind for my future students, is to provide my students with books that will interest them. Children love to have options and choices. By having a few books selected but allowing them to choose which book they want to read out of those selected will get them excited about reading. I would also like to survey my students, like Miller, in the beginning of the year to see what type of books interest them most. I also want to keep in mind the different level of readers I will have in my classroom. I want to ensure that I am providing my students with books that will only further their reading ability. As a future teacher, I want to foster and instill the value of reading in all of my students.
One key idea I would like to remember is the importance of choice. I don't think students should be forced to read a bunch of books they don't want to read. I think a book assigned to the whole class every now and again throughout the years is enough. I believe leaving them choice less hinders them. Choices of readings also helps Developing and Dormant readers to become engaged readers. Another key idea Miller writes about is keeping her class engaged, as opposed to always sticking to the lesson plan. Teaching is our primary task, so I think the end result is what matters, not how we got there.
This article just strengthened my belief that EVERYONE likes reading. It's just a fact. Sorry, "book haters". Anyone can like reading, if they are given the right resources for them as an individual. As a teacher, you must be aware of the level of reading proficiency each student is at. This allows you to provide each student with books and reading-oriented opportunities to choose from that they could actualy benefit from. To foster a love of reading, the students can't feel like they are being forced to read- you must make them feel that they GET to read. When you give them options to choose from as far as reading material goes, this helps them feel that they are in control of their reading, and thereby allows them to start to enjoy reading in their own right, rather than see it as a chore to get through.
There are three ideas I took away from this article. The first key idea I would remember from reading this article is that all students are readers. Many kids just read at different levels, whether it’s below, at or above their grade level. Students should start reading at whatever level they are comfortable at to get them reading more regularly. The second key idea I took away from this article was that kid’s need to read something that interests them. If students are reading something that doesn’t interest them, then it may change their opinion of reading and think that it is not something they can ever enjoy. They may also not feel like they are successful readers when they don’t read something that interests them. If they don’t like what they are reading then they should just pick something else. The important part is that they are always reading. I thought that Miller’s example of giving students surveys to see pin down their interests was a great way to suggest books they may enjoy. The third key idea I took from this article was to recognize what kind of reader each student is and tailor the curriculum to meet their needs. Some students may need an extra push to read, some may read but not outside of class, while others may ignore class instruction and just read on their own. Teachers should keep all these kinds of readers in mind to ensure they will all be successful students who enjoy reading.
I feel that the most important thing that Miller stated in her book was to not ignore the underground readers. I will remember this advice when I am a teacher. Now looking back on my middle and high school years, I did not have the freedom to choose a single book that I wanted to read; all of my readings were assigned to the whole class by the teachers. Middle and high school teachers should let their students choose at least half of the readings they need to read for a class. Another key idea I noticed from Miller’s reading was her passion for her students to enjoy reading. How amazing would it be to have a teacher that cares more about students reading pleasure than just stamping a grade on a book report? This was not an obvious point stated in her book, but after reading this piece I just felt the desire to push all my future students to find what they truly enjoy and read it for themselves. I can just tell from this reading that Miller was an inspiring role model for her students and all teachers should read this; especially teachers that may be developing, dormant, or underground readers.
I feel that the most important thing I have taken from this article is clearly stated in the article, everyone is a reader. Everyone is a reader and will continue to be a reader with the help of their teachers. Something that I lacked in Elementary and Middle school was encouragement to read for pleasure, I will ensure that my future students are encouraged to pick up books to read for pleasure. I want my students to leave my class, being active readers. This means that I will need to share my love of reading with these children and continue to encourage them no matter their reading level.
