Saturday, July 12, 2014

Saturday Sayings: Readers Need Readers



My best friend Paige recently finished reading My Story by Elizabeth Smart. Elizabeth is the one, who as a young girl, was kidnapped in the Salt Lake area but was eventually found and returned to her family.  Paige admitted that as a mother of a young beautiful daughter, it was a disturbing read that hit her in a sensitive spot.  Then she begged me to read it too.  "I need someone to talk to," she said with urgency.  I admit disturbing reads aren't typically at the top of my list, but readers need readers, so I'll read it with the knowledge that my windows are securely locked.  I've a feeling we'll have some interesting conversations about this book in the near future.

In addition to this situation with Paige, I see repeated evidence that readers need readers when I think about my own interactions with books this summer.  Books like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Veronica Roth's Divergent series begged to be discussed.  It's what real readers do, and if it's what real readers do, it's what young readers do as well, or at least need the opportunity to do.  I can't help but reflect on how I foster a community of readers in my classroom.  

I'm reminded of an activity I do within the first few weeks of school inspired by Kathy Collins.  Each reader brings their favorite book and gets the chance to talk about it with the class before there's free time to simply enjoy these treasures.  I take it as an opportunity to verbalize the connections I see between readers in this new community.  "Hey Shawn, I noticed that both you and Brodee love books about Star Wars.  You should totally get together and have a Star Wars book club.  If anyone else in the room loves Star Wars books, I'm sure they'd love to have you too!  This is exactly real readers do."  

As the year progresses, I know there are a myriad of ways in which I promote a community of readers who need each other, but when I read Donalyn Millers' thoughts, I'm challenged as well.  I must continually analyze my own reading life and the ways that I interact with other readers.  When I do, I see the lack in my own classroom practice.  I can always be more intentional in the ways I consistently and purposefully ensure that my young readers are authentically benefiting from other readers.  It's not simply an added bonus of reading.  It's a necessity.  


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13 comments:

  1. I love reading about how you foster reading in your classroom! Some books really need to be discussed!

    Tara
    The Math Maniac

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    1. Tara, thank you. I know I can get so better at making sure that book discussion is at the top of the list.

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  2. I agree completely! I love talking to other people about books. It's really too bad my hubba and I don't like the same types of books!
    Hilary
    Second Grade is Out of This World!

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    1. Hilary, that would be so convenient if he did, huh? You could have some great ongoing discussion!

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  3. I am so right there with you! I love to tell others about the books I have read and discuss them. I tell my students that's what adults do and they can do it too!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, yes we have those discussions too. If only to be a bit more intentional about it at times.

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  4. I could definitely do better helping my kiddos with this! I like the idea of them bringing their favorite book to discuss. I'll have to give it a try!

    Crystal

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    1. Crystal, it's a fun activity and way of using their favorite books to instill the idea of habits of readers.

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  5. People actually make fun of me because I'll post the books I've read and recommend on Facebook-they think that's just a sign of how boring I am. Some books really touch you or surprise you and you want to see if it did the same for others. I wish I could figure out Goodreads because I know that's one way people do it. I really like your idea for how to encourage those discussions in the classroom. Another one I may have to steal! :)

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    1. Miss Trayers, I've posted so much on FB about the books I'm reading. No doubt some people think I'm boring too! :)

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    2. I don't think that's boring at all!
      Sara

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  6. And my daughter's recommended several books to me this summer - that's been kinda fun! Sara

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    1. Sara, I've enjoyed lots of book recommendations from others too. That's how real readers do things - something else to really teach with intentionality to our young ones.

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