Donalyn Miller is an expert on reading. She recently shared her knowledge with educators in the Rochester Area. She spoke about the importance of creating readers by redefining how we talk about reading. A copy of her book is available in the SLS Bookroom.
Here are a few actionable take-a-ways from her talk.
Normalize reader behavior by partnering with your building social media guru to create fun TicToc-LIKE trend videos highlighting reader behavior.
- I am a reader, of course I abandon books I am not feeling the vibe
- I am a reader, of course I read everything (including cereal boxes!)
- I am a reader, of course I stay up past my bedtime to read
- I am a reader, of course I sneak reading during class
- I am a reader, of course I tell everyone about what I am reading
- I am a reader, of course I am always in the library
Support the comforting effect of reading by...
- Providing lots of series. Series give students comfort in the known style and characters.
- Providing a “comfort display” of classic elementary level books for middle and high school students. You would be surprised how excited students will be to grab a childhood favorite.
- Providing books your students want to read. Remember your interests may not be your students interests.
Recommendation Rodeo
Objective: Let students know their personal book recommendations are just as important as adult recommendations.
How did you find the book you are reading?
What is your ‘rule’ to abandon a book?
What made you keep reading the book?
What made you pick up that book and start to read it?
What is most important to you in selection?
Abandon with Aplomb
Objective: Normalize book abandonment. Sometimes students don't read because they feel guilty for not finishing a book. Let them know its OK!
Work with students to define their own criteria for ditching a book.
Not hooked by a certain page
Not hooked by a certain percentage
Not hooked by a certain number of days in
Page-turning Poll
Objective: Understand your readers, to curate a library for them!
Do a survey at the end of the school year.
Do you read for fun?
What prevents you from reading? (Multiple Choice)
How did you find out about the books you would like to read? (Multiple Choice)
What Genre do you read the most? (Multiple Choice)
What Genre do you like the least? Why?
