The new year underway, I began to reflect on my reading life; therefore, also thinking about the reading life in our classroom. Over the break, I was able to enjoy reading for pleasure, where I read books that have been on my "Books I Plan to Read" list for quite awhile. The books I read were recommended to me by dear friends, who are voracious readers and know a good book when they read one. Their recommendations were spot on and I found myself in the "Reading Zone" time and again.
As I began planning our next steps for our reading lives in the classroom, I came across this blog post by a fellow reading and writing teacher. I don't know her, but I know she is passionate about teaching reading and writing and thinks deeply about what she reads. I read her blog often for inspiration.
In her post, she reflects on her reading life and what she noticed. It made me think about why we read and the best way to enjoy reading. The changes I have made to our reading class are somewhat influenced by this post and my own reflections.
She begins her post with a quote by Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie and many other acclaimed books: "Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or a duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift." As a teacher, who considers reading as a "precious gift" in my own life, I hope, if you do not already feel this way, you will see reading as a gift in the New Year.
As you read her blog, post your reactions to her reflections. I have posted my own response to demonstrate the level of thinking you should demonstrate in your own post.
28 comments:
As I read Carol's post, I had a strong connection to #1, #6, and #7. I agree with #1 because I have come to cherish the conversations and relationships I have formed with friends, centered around reading. I long to talk about a good book, hear a good recommendation, or talk about my favorite books.
Also, I find #6 to be true because sometimes I have picked up a book and not found it to be interesting at the time, but have returned to it later in life and loved it. In fact, the book I am reading now is a book I began years ago and thought was boring; however, I don't think I was in the right mood to read it. Having picked it up again, I find it very entertaining and well-written.
Lastly, I love what books do for my thinking and worldview. I have learned so much about different time periods and cultures; therefore, traveling to places I might never go, but it gives me a taste and helps me learn about the world beyond Nashville. Also, I have noticed a distinct improvement in my writing and thought process because of my reading, and it had nothing to do with taking a writing class, but rather, just reading and soaking up the language in great literature.
I love to talk to people about books I have read especially when other people have read it before me. Then we can discuss it and have a good time saying how good or funny or how silly the book was. It is good to share your feelings with other people especially if it is a touching part of the book.
In the paragraph #3 of the “other blog” I agree you don’t have to read always your level of books. Maybe you are in the mood for a picture book or a harder book than what you can read. I think you should be able to decide what level you are on whether it is hard or easy like a picture book.
P.S Ms. Sikes I think this is a good idea to put extra things on the blog like this. It makes it more fun.
Well, I am reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I have read some of the books she named in her list of books. Most of them I liked. But then again some I didn’t like. Everybody likes different books. Some people like books more than others. I like the Harry Potter series because it has lots of intence moments in it. I liked some of the books more than others. My alltime favorite one was the 5th one.
After I have read, and reread Carol's post, I could really connect and agree on #1, #2, #4, and #7.
I can really connect to #1 the most because I love to read independently, but be in a book study/book club. I like to do this because I read better by myself and I am able to think better, but then I like to go and share my thoughts on the book with other friends.
I can connect to #2 and #4 a lot because, I don't like to have to think about how many pages I have read, I just like going, sitting down and getting in the reading zone. Also, I absolutely don't ever like to think of reading as a competition. After I read for long periods of time I think about what I have read so far and try to imagine what the character is feeling or thinking during that time.
Last, but not least I always think more every time that I read more. Reading helps me do many things, such as thinking. I can write and think better when I read. Reading has taken me on many journeys, and has taught me many things.
Carol’s post made me think deeper about my reading. It doesn’t matter if you are the best reader or the worst reader.
I agree with #1 because it is great to talk about books you’ve read or want to read. When I finish a book, I have no clue what I am going to read next, so I either ask a friend, a teacher, or go to the library.
Also, I agree with #2. You don’t have to read the most books in class or read a book the fastest. Reading is not about competition; it is about picking a book, enjoying it and getting into the reading zone.
I’ve learned a lot because of books. One book I read in 2010, I thought was going to be really boring. After I read it, I was glad I didn’t stop. Right now, I am reading The Thief Lord. I would recommend that book to anyone who liked the Percy Jackson series.
I have been able to make a few connections with the book I am reading, "Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets", just a few because it is totally magic but I have been enjoying it a lot and have been able to get in the reading zone quite a bit.
From,
Jackson
I can really relate to Carol's post, I had a strong connection to Kate DiCamillo because I just finished a book by Kate Dicamillo called "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane " which is amazingly written and well thought out. I am right now reading another one of Kate DiCamillo books called" The Tale of Despereaux " which is also amazing,but by far Kate Dicamillo is one of the best authors I have read ever.
I felt newly inspired when I read Mrs. Carol's post. I felt like all of those points were great when her colleague recommended a book or a freind,and I plan to do that sometime this week.
All the points were great and I will follow those points in my reading life. I may get recommended books from others and I will look into them,for example Otto Olaffsson wrote a sheet on a book called Daniel X Alien Hunter. When I asked Otto about the book he said, ''Would you like to read it''? I said, ''yes''. so I started reading it and I just could not stop reading. I ended up reading all three books in a very short time. I highly recommend Daniel X Alien Hunter.
After reading Carol's post, I especially had a connection to number 1. I liked where you can read a book and pass it to another friend and after they read it you can talk to that person what it is about.
I also had a connection to number 3. In class I read just right books but over the summer I always try to read the next step harder books for the next year.
I definitely think that number 6 is right. I like to read certain holiday books around the holidays. Also, when my cat died I read a book about kitties going to heaven. It made me feel better. I think different books are good for different times in your life.
I agree with #2 and #4 because I don’t think reading is about competition or rushing thru your book. I sometimes, for fun keep track of what I’m reading but I don’t like logging a lot.
I agree with #2 because I like taking my time when I’m reading. When I hear people say that they finished there book in two days I just look away, because I like reading at my own pace.
I like #4, because keeping track of what I read isn’t that important for me and test aren’t helping understand my reading or helping with anything. Thank for letting us quit logging and starting the prompt it is much more fun.
When I read Carol's post, I really understood #2, #3,and #6. I understand #2 because you don't want to rush a book. You want to take your time, understand it, and enjoy it.
Also, I think #3 is understandable because you don't want to just write what you read, you want to think about the book, and make connections.
Lastly, I have read some books and I've set it down because I didn't understand it or I thought it was boring. Now that I've read Carol's blog I decided I'm going to start those books again. :)
I agree with number 4 because some times it is hard for me to blog when I am thinking about finishing my homework and making my post really good. Also 5 is good because I am a slow reader but now if someone is a slow reader then they can feel better about how fast or slow they read.
I thought about what she said in the blog and thought it was great but some things she wrote I had a connection to the first one and that was about all but the connection was that I thought that you should share about your book with friends, family, etc. and that was my connection!
I can really relate to #1, #2 and #3 of Carol's post.
I love #1 because I love to talk about a great book I read. I think it is a great way to learn what other people think about the book. It is also an amazing way for your questions to be answered about the book.
I agree with #2 because a lot of my friends are above my reading level and I feel that it is a race to see who can read a certain number of pages. I have to remind myself that it is not the number of pages you read in a short amount of time. What really matters is what you are able to get out the story.
I think #3 is so true because you don't always want to read books on your level. My 3 year old sister loves for me to read to her, but her books are way below my reading level. I still love the literature and find that I can still learn new things even though it is usually a picture book.
When I finished reading Carol’s post, I thought about what I read and what connections I made, but when I first read number 1 and number 6 I agreed and connected with Carol right away. After I thought about what I read for a minute I decided that number 7 was true for me too.
I agree with number 1 because I love to talk and recommend books to people almost as much as I like reading them. I also like to hear about good books and read them.
I agree with number 6 because when I was in about second grade I tried to read a Nancy Drew book, but I didn’t really enjoy it or understand it. Now this school year I have been reading Nancy Drew books and I love it. I think this has to do a little with just right, too easy, and too hard books.
Last but not leased, I agree with number seven because when I read it makes me wonder and ask myself questions. For example, in one of my prompts I wondered… Is the thief really Mrs. Tenney’s cousin, or the antique man. Who was it upstairs?
Reading is an option and by choosing to read you are helping to strengthen your brain and learn a lot about many different things. I love to read in a comfortable and quiet place. I visualize as I read my chapter books and picture me as the characters. As I read my books I block the world out and just focus on the story. Reading is a gift to me and I hope to always love reading as I grow up.
I think Carol's Corner had some great advice about recommended books. I might actually read some of them.
In number 2 I agree that reading shouldn't be a competition on how many pages you read. It should be about your own reading, not about anybody elses. Reading is about enjoying it, not dreading it.
At the top of the Carol's Corner blog, it says something about reading being a gift not a chore. Over the school year I have learned to enjoy reading. The idea of reading at least 25 minutes a night has really increased my interest in reading.
When I read Carol's blog I really agreed on numbers 1 and 2.
The thing I liked about #1 is that I really really LOVE talking about books with other people who have read the book or are reading it then. I like talking about our favorite parts and people. I also am pretty good at making connections and like sharing those also.
The thing I really liked about #2 is that I am more of a slow reader so I take my time and really absorb the story, but am also a fast reader if I want to. Like if I have to get a book finished by a deadline.
I really enjoyed her blog and agree on it all. I also have always thought that reading is a pleasure not work at all.*
I agree with her on 1#,5#,and 6#.I agree one because, I like to talk to my friends about books that are good and that they and I recommend to each other. I am recently reading a book that I L-O-V-E that was recommended to me by a good friend.
I also agree with 5# because, I love reading long books and it takes me time to read them and so I read nibble by nibble. (that what she calls piece by piece.)In the end I finally finish and redo the process for another long book.
I also agree with 6# because, when I was little I saw books that looked dumb to me at the time cause, I was so little it was too hard and I thought," why would anyone wanna read that I mean, look how long that is?" but know when I read it I love it!!! :D because I understand it and I am interested in the topic.
I really liked this post and I think it tought me a few things. I thought about what this teacher said about writing info about your reading just takes away from reading itself. I also think it might stop you from reading because you don't want to waste your time writing how many min.s you read, or how many pages, how you feel exc.
I recomend being in a book club. I used to be in one and it was a lot of fun talking about books and choosing which one to read next.It was also fun to answer trivia questions about the book. I think a book club is educational too. It pushes you to read a cirtian book and pay attentoin so you can recomend it to other people and (optionaly) answer trivia questions.
I also have picked up a book in the past and either wasn't old enough for it yet, or just wasn't in the mood, but I didn't do a verry good job pushing myself to read it. Anyway, I've tried it again recently and I love it!
I made the connections to #2, #5, and #6. I had a connection to #2 because I believe that reading is a time to relax and to not think about getting to the end of the book or to read it fast to see who could read the book the fastest. Reading should be a time to connect with your book and get into the reading zone. It’s always better to take your time and enjoy the book.
I had a connection with #5 because some long books get old and it’s good to take a break and read some books that might not be your level. And that’s perfectly fine, but you should get back to the book and read some more of it. You should very your choices of long and short books.
I made a strong connection to the #6 because some people are not ready for some books such as the BOOK THEIFT. Readers progress and improve at their own individual rate. For some people easy books come later in people’s live and hard books come earlier in people’s lives.
OO
I agree with her on #1 and #6. I love to share the books i've read with friends. I especially love when they are reading the same book too, because I love to share inference's. When one of my friends has already read the book, I like to make an inference and try to quess what's going to happen.
I agree with number six, too, especially because I have a connection that accured in my own reading life. When I had finished reading the sixth Harry Potter book, I decided to start reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I had seen the book out at the book stores before and I thought the book looked way to easy and silly for my reading level. After seeing the movie I had been inspired to read the book. When I started the book, I was kinda hard to make the change from Harry Potter to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. That was just like those times when you have to be in the right mood to be able to read a book and enjoy it. It turns out I LOVED IT and a couple of days ago finished the last book in the series.
I really have connections with #1,#2, and #6.
The resign I like number 1 is because it is good to have someone recommend books to you and just get together and hang out.
The resign I like number 2 is reading isn't about racing because if you race you can skip the main point and not get any thing.
I like number 6 because if you are struggling with reading, you may not read a hard, long book in your because you would not get it.
As I read Carol's post all I was thinking about was reading more and more each day. I really agree with her on #1,2,4,5,6 and 7. I agreed with her on number 1 because reading really is about a community, connections, relationships, talking about books, titles, and so on. You can really meet great new friends by starting a book club.
I agree with her on number 2 because do you really read a book just to get through it? That's not the way I see it. To really get to the book, suggest to read deeply and not just rush through it. sometimes after I read the time that I did I try to say a full summary of what I read i recommend that strategy.
The reason i agree with number 4 was because if you make the reading complicated you really don't get any of the reading done.
The reason I agree with number 5 is because if you have a really packed schedule, you can just read maybe 15-20 pages a day.
the reason I agree with number 6 is because some books maybe can be for babies or children or teens of moms and dads some cam have more violence that others.
the reason I agree with number 7 is because if you read a informational book, you can get really great facts about a nonfiction topic from that books. When you have a harder book, you cam really think about what's happening.
I think that #1 was a good and fun way to streeech out and read other books because when one of your friends tellls you it can make you have a totally dlfferent outlook on the book. I can't wait until we have our book-swap-club! I think she makes a great point about if you can't really get into the book you could really like it another time.
I made a connection to Carol's blog in #1, because I used to do a book club with Maddie and Gracie, where we would all read the same book(s) and then we would all get together and share meaningful connections, tell eachother our favorite part and why, and we also asked eachother deep questions about that book to see if we really took time to understand the book.
I also made a connection in Carol's blog in #6, because I can also understand why she wanted to hold onto a book and save it to read when she felt she was ready to read it. (Say I am reading Percy Jackson and the Lightining Theif, I don't know if I personally would want to read the book in a bright, cheery atmosphere, since it doesn't happen to be the most happily ever after story.( Even though I haven't read the series, friends have told me about the books.
I like what Carol said on #2 because when I read something I think it's a compatition. I need to work on that. I also agree on # # because sometimes I like to read a shorter book.It's all on my mood. It is very hard for me to think, when I read because I'm so interested in the book.
I like what Carol said about #2, reading doesn't have to be fast and it is not a race either.
I also liked # 1, because you don't have to be all private about your books. I love getting book suggesting for instance.
Post a Comment