Reading is a passion of mine. I love immersing myself in the pages of a fantastic book. My husband told me the other day that I should set up my own library purely based on the sheer number of books I currently have stacked on my bedside table. The books I’m reading are a window to where I am in life. As a teenager, I surrounded myself with teen romance books and the dramas in the school hallways. Living overseas, I found myself drawn to adventure books and travel accounts. Doing my Masters, I couldn’t escape the pages on theories and educational studies. Now, I seem to be into the dystopian and science fiction genre – I’m not yet sure what that means! So, when a kid says to me, “I hate reading!” I have a tough time relating. I believe them – their experience shows them that they do hate reading – but then I make it a personal challenge to try and change their minds about something I love and know is essential.
I am thrilled to see that amongst the 12 different novels I have introduced for my ELA Literature Circles Unit, my students have found books that they love. When a group finished their discussion on ‘The Outsiders’ today, they were fired up and a couple of them told me how much they are loving this book – even after telling me before they hated reading! The discussions my students have been having about their books have been thought-provoking, interesting, informative, and sophisticated. As a teacher, nothing makes me more proud!
Besides the importance of reading for enjoyment, reading 20 minutes a night is also essential over the course of students’ schooling. I ask my students to read 20 minutes a night and, while I don’t have a mechanism for checking, it is in their best interest that they read nightly, as this graphic shows. So, grab a book, perhaps a healthy snack too, and just get reading!
One of my students reminds me daily that I haven’t updated my website (yes, that’s you Devan!). (word of the day: reading). I will try and be more punctual next week! Here is what we are doing this week and into next:
ELA 8 – read their book. Write down their thinking. Complete two check-ins. Be prepared for discussions.
SS 8 – Mind map on FEUDALISM (due Thursday for 8-01 and next Wednesday for 8-02). Sketch of a manor.
Eng 9 Pre AP – we are starting Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’. Working on an inquiry project on the life and times of Shakespeare. Presentations are next Friday, April 10.
I am thrilled to see that amongst the 12 different novels I have introduced for my ELA Literature Circles Unit, my students have found books that they love. When a group finished their discussion on ‘The Outsiders’ today, they were fired up and a couple of them told me how much they are loving this book – even after telling me before they hated reading! The discussions my students have been having about their books have been thought-provoking, interesting, informative, and sophisticated. As a teacher, nothing makes me more proud!
Besides the importance of reading for enjoyment, reading 20 minutes a night is also essential over the course of students’ schooling. I ask my students to read 20 minutes a night and, while I don’t have a mechanism for checking, it is in their best interest that they read nightly, as this graphic shows. So, grab a book, perhaps a healthy snack too, and just get reading!
One of my students reminds me daily that I haven’t updated my website (yes, that’s you Devan!). (word of the day: reading). I will try and be more punctual next week! Here is what we are doing this week and into next:
ELA 8 – read their book. Write down their thinking. Complete two check-ins. Be prepared for discussions.
SS 8 – Mind map on FEUDALISM (due Thursday for 8-01 and next Wednesday for 8-02). Sketch of a manor.
Eng 9 Pre AP – we are starting Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’. Working on an inquiry project on the life and times of Shakespeare. Presentations are next Friday, April 10.