Book+Whisperer+5,+6,+7

After reading Chapters 5, 6 and 7, what are your initial thoughts, questions, concerns. Specifically, what do you think about how Miller addressed traditional practices verses the goal of developing better/life long readers? What will you include in your "Reading Improvement Plan"


 * **Terri:** I truly enjoyed this book. Miller talks of allowing our students authentic reading and sharing experiences. That resonates with me. I believe we are doing this and are seeing the effects in our building. I notice more students sitting in the halls and in the commons reading. She goes on to say later that we need to keep the data-drive in perspective and "[look] inside of our classrooms and learning from our own students" to find exemplars for performance. I am excited to use this advice as I continue to develop reading instruction in my room. I truly appreciate and understand her admitted apprehensions of test scores as the GQE looms ahead for my sophomores. I think my favorite quote of the book came from Miller's principal in the Afterword: "...reading is critical not only for the welfare of our students but also for the continued health of our democracy. We will empower our students to sustain themselves and our nation." That is powerful.
 * **Pam:** I agree with Terri, I truly enjoyed this book, too. She validated many things I have been thinking and she added ideas that I am implementing right now and others that I will work into my reading class. I have tried to flood my students and classroom with books. One of the tricks to this is that as a teacher you have to read lots and lots of these books yourself or you can't talk about them so that the kids believe you. They can tell if you don't have a good feel for what you are suggesting they read. When a student comes up to tell me about a book they are reading and I can immediately say that I really liked that book and what do you think of the main character or something that happened in the story, I have credibility with the student. They will respect my opinions about books. That is so important at all ages to have a connection with your students so they can use you as a role model. I have concerns about the time issues we deal with. In order to give them lots more reading time other things have to go. I need to take a harder look at what is fluff and what is "real" work that needs to be done in my class. I HAVE to get rid of things that are done because I have done them for 30 years (yikes) and not because they are proven best practices in the teaching of reading. My bedside stack just keeps getting deeper and I love it.
 * ** June **: Thought you all might be interested in additional information Donalyn Miller presented at the MRA convention last weekend. [|Follow this link] to her slide share site for some of her great presentations and/or lists. I saw her presentation (document) on "100 Great Books for Middle School." There is also a presentation on "Creating a Workshop Schedule" from which you might be able to glean some tips or alternatives. The presentation titles "Building your Book Muscle" offers additional ideas on where to find inexpensive books for your classroom library - including some on line resources.You might want to bookmark this site and check back periodically to see what new ideas she has to offer!
 * June: Here is a new shared document by Donalyn Miller [|"Rethinking the Whole Class Novel"]
 * Kris: I really like what Pam said about getting rid of things that we do just because they have been done. As a first year English teacher, I am in NO WAY an expert on teaching the subject. However, this year I allowed the students to read what they wanted and it has been cool to see (very) reluctant readers become engaged and enjoy books, some for what they say is the first time. Next year I plan on doing a lot differently, but I really think the idea of choice in their reading is going to stay the same. What a cool year!
 * Susan: This book has been a wonderful one for a study. It has given me lots to think about. As a grade level, the 5th grade at Akron is already discussing how we can make changes for next school year and implement some of these ideals. The part about //Letting Go// really stuck out to me. No matter how hard you work to get your students to love reading, you have no control over what happens outside of your classroom walls. I've had many former students come back and complain about reading, when I know they left enjoying it. I have current students whose parents don't value it, so it doesn't happen outside of school. It's frustrating, but it is a frustration that most of us share.