The best way to get students reading critically and writing is to get them reading more often. The best way to get them reading more often is to get them excited about reading. Too often, reading can seem like a chore, like unenjoyable homework or like something that has to be done rather than something that a student actually wants to do. The main reason for this is that students just don’t know what to read.
Debbie, an elementary school librarian, identifies book choice as the one reason that students don’t like to read. Often, students either don’t know what they want to read, or choos books that are actually completely uninteresting to them. How are students supposed to enjoy reading if they are reading the wrong book? We have all picked up a book and struggled to get through it, trudging at a snail’s pace beacause it simply does not motivate us to pick it up and read. This very same feeling is shared with students. However, as critically literate adults, it is easy to recognize that when reading seems like a chore, it is time to try a new book. Children could have the impression that all reading is this terrible trudgery
It can be difficult for students to know what they ike to read, bause they just don’t have enough experience choosing books or knowing what to look for. Again, a good relationship with the school librarian can help with this. School librarians have tons of experience with different kinds of books, and this can help them make suggestions to students. Yet however hepful a school librarian is, book recommendations are far mor meaningful when they come from peers.
Having kids talk about books they do like and giving them the opportunity to share their excitement can help all students find the motivation to read. Book talks, book blurbs, book ads, book of the week…these are all ways that students can share their excitement for reading and to help pass this on. Because of this cascading reading excitment effect, selling books will definitely be included in my reading curriculum.