Being a big fan of Lucy Calkins and Nancy Atwell (both focus on Reading and Writing workshops) I have always turned to them during the holidays, before we start a new semester, in hope of inspiration, and this time, I was looking for some guidance towards helping my students become excited about their reading experience.
Everyday, my 5th graders begin the day with around 15-25 minutes of 'independent silent reading'. It is a magical moment- even the most energetic and restless classes settle down in a snowfall-type silence when they are allowed to spread themselves around the class, and read a book of their choice. When I am not able to provide them with this moment (due to pressing issues such as covering content or a time-consuming ongoing projects), they complain as though I am denying them one of their basic rights: time to read for pleasure, at school!
I sometimes feel that I cannot afford this time on a daily basis ( being part of a binlingual programe means that we teach the American curriculum only in the afternoon; 1:00- 3:30 p.m. I only have 2.5 hours a day with my students- not even close to enough time to achieve everything I wish to achieve with them).
Coming back to Atwell, she reminds me that: "...students read more, comprehend better, and value books and reading to a greater degree when we make time in school for them to read.". And so it is. I am determined to carve in this time for them this semester, making a commitment to honor this need of theirs. Silent reading everyday, first thing. You might want to give it a try and observe how it unfolds.
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