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I created a Padlet for my students to add books that they read. They can look for recommendations from other students.

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Tally List - Page divided into columns for genres and number of titles read

Reading List - Students fill in with all of their books

Books to Read List

Response Entries

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Example of student recording sheets. I would have students write a reader's response in their journal also. I think it would motivate students to read more. There is also a bulletin board set with bookmarks.

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Providing students the opportunity to read in class

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Providing students the opportunity to read in class

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.. the only way to make sure your students are reading every day is to set aside time for it in class. p.143

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The bottom line: this is about you, not your students. Logs don't give an accurate accounting of how much students are reading, and maintaining them does not motivate them to read more either. p.143

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Model the love of reading by reading personal books more.

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Model the love of reading by reading personal books more.

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I connect with this one too - there are so many distractions out there, but making time for our own reading lives is so important for our students to see (and for our own well-being).

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"By denying students the opportunity to choose their own books to read, teachers are giving students a fish year after year but never teaching them to go near the water, much less fish for themselves."
Chapter 2 Page 29

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"...we make time for what we  value, and if we value reading , we must make time for it."
Chapter 3 Page 52

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-use a student reading survey
-use the 40 book requirement
-model the love of reading by reading personal books more

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Since reading the book whisperer and adding dedicated reading time and an open classroom library, I have had many students get hooked on lower level chapter book series (The Magic Tree House, I Survived, Cam Jansen, Jigsaw Jones, etc.). It has been a joy to watch!

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"Remember that you are the best reader in the room, the master reader. Embrace that, and wear your reading love proudly in front of your students every day. The reality is that you cannot inspire others to do what you are not inspired to do yourself."

This reminds me of Mrs. Walker. Her love of reading is obvious and contagious.

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Mrs. Miller gives her students a 40 book requirement for the year. This serves many purposes:
*encouraging students to read across genres
*10 to 20 books is not enough to instill a love of reading in students
*some students are not confident that they can finish, but soon realize how much potential they have
*there is NO punishment for falling short of the goal; for a student who never reads, any amount is an accomplishment
*there is no reward for completing the requirement

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What are the next steps? Anyone have ideas or things you've already done to bring some book love to your students?

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Well, friends. It's the last week for The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. I have loved reading this book and seeing how others are planning to put Donalyn's ideas into practice. It will certainly take some adjustment for primary, but I feel inspired to do the work and make reading more than just a content area for my students.

In Chapter 7 Donalyn tells us that we must do more. We must take initiative and make a difference for our students. She quotes several eighth grade students who tell her she is the only teacher they ever had who was passionate about reading. What a sad thought.

So, to recap my plans for this year and the changes I'm going to make to implement more of The Book Whisperer into my classroom...

I am reorganizing my classroom library to make it more child friendly and adding text levels to the books so students can better select books for independent reading. (I was going to have this done in June...I go back to school in two weeks and it's barely started....I'm working on it!)

I am adding more student selected reading time to my literacy centers with a couple new options for reading seating.

I am implementing Reader's Notebooks with some type of book tracker (Mrs. B. First Grade has a perfect primary one here) and keep a notebook for myself.

I will post what I am currently reading in my classroom.

I will use a survey to learn more about my students' preferences at the beginning of the year and an end of the year survey to reflect on my practice and their habits.

Lastly, I will talk with teachers about my plans. We need to work together to see any real change in practice and student outcomes. Just last week a wonderful teacher friend of mine posted on Facebook that she thought testing was driving out a love of reading in our students. She is probably right.

If you haven't read The Book Whisperer yet, RUN for your copy now and I hope you love it as much as I did.

If you're reading along, or have already read The Book Whisperer, I'd love for you to link up!

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Well, friends. It's the last week for The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. I have loved reading this book and seeing how others are planning to put Donalyn's ideas into practice. It will certainly take some adjustment for primary, but I feel inspired to do the work and make reading more than just a content...