I love to read. I always have and it's a wonderful hobby and life skill because once you know how to do it, you can enjoy it for the rest of your life. As bizarre as that may sound... It is a skill that is difficult to teach, hard for some to learn, but it is a skill that truly can make your life easier if you are able to do it. (And, as we know, it is a tool to obtain power for those who possess the skill.) It is necessary for almost everything you do in life. Now, I can't say that I love to read everything. There are definitely things that I can't read and things that I don't want to read. There is nothing I love more than sitting on the beach in the summer with a good book and lots of time to read (and bake in the sun).
As a teacher of reading, I emphasize my love for reading throughout the day. I know that this plays a role in my students' attitude toward literacy in my class, and I can only hope that my efforts carry over into their after school encounters with literacy. In school I read aloud often, hold guided reading group meetings, give students large blocks of time for independent reading, plus allow them time to buddy read. I teach students how to choose books that are right for them and I encourage them to respond to their literature in their journals. Currently, I use technology to supplement reading instruction. I have some of my struggling readers read living books on www.starfall.com. I wouldn't say that technology plays a large role in my daily teaching, as far as students having access to computers, but technology certainly plays a large role in informing my teaching. I get a lot of research and ideas online. Just recently, in doing research and getting ideas for my Underground Railroad unit, I found a great activity on the National Geographic website. I plan on having my students read an account of a slave's travels online, rather than having them read a book because I know they will really enjoy it. I think that including technology in reading instruction is important because it is new and innovative and students really enjoy using technology. I think that there are many ways that I could use it more often, I'm just trying to figure out more ways as I go.
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I checked out Starfall.com and unfortunately it's for younger children. Do you know any other websites for middle schoolers?
You mentioned how you don't love to read "everything." I think that's a great concept to have students realize. I tell that to my students all the time. Some reading material is unavoidable (school material, business papers, etc) but when students are "free reading," they should freely choose what they want. Getting them to the point where they know what they like is another "teachable moment." I like to show my students how to search amazon, Novelist, and read-alike websites so they can find enjoyable books by their favorite authors or within their favorite genres.
The Underground Railroad activity sounds really good -- I'll be interested to hear how the students like it and how they do.
Thank you for the idea for the ABC basket! I am going to see if I can pull it off.
I agree that to be a reader doesnt mean you have to love to read everything. I find there is alot I dont like to read and will stay as far away from as I can get.
I also try to give my kids as much time for independant reading as possible. On Wednesday's we have independent reading right before I teach science. Many times my aide and I will keep extending the independent reading time because the kids just seem so into it.
See you in 2 weeks. Enjoy next Wednesday's break. :0)
I enjoyed your use of the National Geographic website to teach children about the Underground Railroad. Using Read Alouds are helpful to get students to understand exactly what the text is trying to convey.
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