The Book Whisperer
Chapter 5 -Walking the Walk
Chapter 6 - Cutting the Teacher Strings
For the past six weeks some fellow Canadian bloggers and myself have been reading and posting our thoughts on the book The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. Today I will be posting my thoughts on Chapter 5 & 6 in order to get caught up with the other ladies.
My previous post: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, & Chapter 3/4
Chapter 5 made me reflect on my own personal relationship with reading?
I enjoy reading a good book and will often read while on holidays or during summer vacation. But during the school year I rarely pick up a book just for my personal enjoyment. My reading consists of books related to teaching and children's books that I am either reading to my daughter or to my class. Like many of you, my excuse is that there isn't enough time in a day to fit in pleasure reading. But with that said, I agree with Donalyn "teachers do need to be reading role models for our students".
Sadly, Associated Press released a poll in 2007 showing that the average American adult read an average of 4 book in a year. Teachers are part of this poll, it seems that we are not walking the walk when it comes to doing what we teach. Reading only four books in a year seems rather minimal. I'm not sure how many I have read but I wouldn't expect the number to be much greater than four.
What kind of a reading role model does that make me?
Is it possible to instill the love of reading in my students and daughter without making reading a priority in my life?
Yes, I think so.
Donalyn states that as teachers it is important that we regularly read with our students and talk about reading with them as well. I figure that even though I may not find the time to read a book for my own personal pleasure, reading to my students and my daughter are high on my priority list.
Reading to my students during recess snack is one of my favorite times during the school day.We have been reading Sea Dog by Dayle Campbell Gaetz, and my students are loving it. Most importantly I am reading this book to them for pleasure! The only expectation of them is that they listed quietly and are open to chatting about the book.
At home the bookshelf is my daughters favourite toy box!! Reading and looking at books is built into our daily routine.
If asked, do you wish you had more time to read for pleasure?
My answer would be...yes!
My previous post: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, & Chapter 3/4
Chapter 5 made me reflect on my own personal relationship with reading?
I enjoy reading a good book and will often read while on holidays or during summer vacation. But during the school year I rarely pick up a book just for my personal enjoyment. My reading consists of books related to teaching and children's books that I am either reading to my daughter or to my class. Like many of you, my excuse is that there isn't enough time in a day to fit in pleasure reading. But with that said, I agree with Donalyn "teachers do need to be reading role models for our students".
Sadly, Associated Press released a poll in 2007 showing that the average American adult read an average of 4 book in a year. Teachers are part of this poll, it seems that we are not walking the walk when it comes to doing what we teach. Reading only four books in a year seems rather minimal. I'm not sure how many I have read but I wouldn't expect the number to be much greater than four.
What kind of a reading role model does that make me?
Is it possible to instill the love of reading in my students and daughter without making reading a priority in my life?
Yes, I think so.
Donalyn states that as teachers it is important that we regularly read with our students and talk about reading with them as well. I figure that even though I may not find the time to read a book for my own personal pleasure, reading to my students and my daughter are high on my priority list.
Reading to my students during recess snack is one of my favorite times during the school day.We have been reading Sea Dog by Dayle Campbell Gaetz, and my students are loving it. Most importantly I am reading this book to them for pleasure! The only expectation of them is that they listed quietly and are open to chatting about the book.
At home the bookshelf is my daughters favourite toy box!! Reading and looking at books is built into our daily routine.
If asked, do you wish you had more time to read for pleasure?
My answer would be...yes!
But do I think that my lack of reading for pleasure will change the way my students or daughter feel about books?
I'm not convinced that I do.
Do you consider your self to be a reading role model for your students/children?
Do you find time to read for pleasure?
I would love to read your comments.
On to Chapter 6...Cutting the Teacher Strings
In the opening paragraphs of Chapter 6, Donalyn writes that over her teaching career, students have told her that
"reading as it is traditionally taught and assessed actually encourages them to hate reading."
In this chapter Donalyn examines some traditional language arts practices and proposes alternatives that accomplish the same goals while keeping with the the habits of true readers.
She describes the dark side of whole-class novels, teaching to comprehension tests, book reports, reading logs, round robin and popcorn reading as well as incentive programs. While also including alternatives such as replacing book reports with book commercials and book reviews, which sound far more appealing than the traditional report.
This chapter is thought provoking. It makes me reflect on my experiences with reading in school (many include the practices warned against by Donalyn), what teaching practices I am currently using and what I want my students experiences with reading to look and feel like.
Want to read more about Chapter 6, read more posts by clicking the links below.
