On page 23, Ms. Miller talks about the first days of school and setting expectations. She says.."In those first days, I never preach to my students about their need to read, I never talk to them about the fact that many of them do not like to read, struggle with reading skils or have not found reading personally meaningful. If I were to acknowledge that these excuses have merit, I would allow them to become reasons for my students not to read....I must believe that my students are readers - or will be readers - so that they can believe it. The idea that they can't read or don't like to read is not on the table."
Page 50: At the beginning of the year, before I start my conferences with them on a regular basis, I read too. Students need a reading role model in front of them. I also want to make it clear to them that reading itme is not an opportunity to talk to me about their homework or ask to go to ...the hall. Nor is it free time...
In your opinion, how much of an effect is there for students on the teacher's enthusiasm for reading?
How important is it to establish clear behavioral expectations for independent reading time?
Terry...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for doing this.
When I first started teaching I was into Nancy Atwell and Donald Graves. You better believe I read when the kids read. I still believe modeling good reading habits is important but I have to ask how many teachers actually have time to model reading and if so how often do they do it? There is so much to do with interventions and testing and record keeping I can't imagine a teacher has time to model reading by actually reading with their kids more frequently than once in a blue moon.
Mark
It seems like she does this at the beginning of the year to set expectations and establish procedures - ala SEEDS. She then holds conferences during that time block. I know many teachers at IHES do the same thing. When students know exactly what is expected, you can hold them accountable.
DeleteI thought that was interesting too. I have to admit that I do not model reading!! When they are reading, my "To Do List" calls to me and I think reading her book, I have to find a way to avoid that, and at the beginning of the year at least, model reading.
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