I would love more than anything to create the perfect parameters to repeat that scenario over and over again on a daily basis. What was present in this instance that was the catalyst that brought about this type of reaction in my student?
Lots of books. A wide variety of genres, authors, and reading levels.
Free choice. Students allowed to self-select the books they wanted to read.
Time to read. Time during school for students to get lost in a book.
Model reader. A teacher that models an active reading life. This year, as I have every year, I read aloud to my students. When students are reading in my class, I am also reading. I have also started posting the covers of the books I am currently reading outside my classroom door.
When I finish a book, the cover is moved to the cabinet door inside my classroom, which is a running list of books that I have read this year. I have also posted a reading goal of how many books I want to read this year.
I will continue to provide my students with large library of books, free book choice, time to read, and a model reader in myself.
