The debate over independent reading is trending right now. There are so many teachers out there who think that independent reading is a bonus not a necessity. Unpopular opinion coming your way. YOU HAVE TO include independent reading in your daily routine. There are so many benefits to giving your students time to read. But if  you want to know how to suck the joy out of reading… Make it a required grade with required teacher book talk time. So you need to make your independent reading engaging and low risk, high reward for your kiddos. 

The Fail

Last year, I wanted to focus on getting my students to read every day and start increasing the amount of reading that they do as a whole. All the research supports this concept that our students need to read more in order to prepare for college. The problem was that I thought that I needed to motivate students through a grade and chances to share their book with me.

However, that crashed and burned. Students complained about the requirements and waited until the last day to meet with me. I ended up having 20 “book talk” interviews all in one day and most students rushed through their reading or fibbed about finishing the book. This was the complete opposite of what I wanted to have happen. Instead of creating a love of reading, independent reading had become just another block to check in Mrs. Rice’s class.

The Revelation

In an effort to utilize my time wisely this summer, I challenged myself to look for new professional development books. Enter No More Fake Reading by Berit Gordon. This book changed my life! I recommend that every English teacher reads this book because it will challenge the way that you do everything in your classroom. As a result of this book, I made major changes in my classroom.

The Rewrite

1. Shelfies

• But first, let me take a shelfie… Every time students finish a book, they create a shelfie. They take a selfie with their book and then paste their picture into an Instagram template. They then give a 3-4 sentence book review in the comment section. Once the template is complete, they post it on our Instagram Bookshelf Bulletin Board.

2. Book Talk

• In order to show their excitement for what they are reading, students have the chance to share with the class about their book. A book talk consists of an opening that grabs the reader’s attention, a three sentence summary that includes the main conflict, characters, and hints of the resolution, and a closing that leaves the reader wanting more.
• Students can earn bonus points if they convince other students or the teacher to read their book.

3. Reading Goals

• One of my favorite summer activities when I was younger was going to the library and reading pages for the Book It program. After reaching a certain reading goal, you could earn a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Since this program no longer runs, we have created our own version of this program.
• Students evaluate their reading abilities after reading for one week in and out of school. They set their own personal goal (the teacher has no say in this decision) and they add it to their sticker chart in the room. Each time they finish 50 pages, they get to add a sticker to the chart. If everyone in the class accomplishes their goal, I will bring in pizza for the class.

4. Library Walk

• There is something so special about the library that I have loved every since I was a child. I want to share that passion with my students and help encourage reading. In the second week of school, I coordinate a field trip to our local library just down the block. I work with the director of the library who speaks with the students, creates special displays just for them, and helps to make sure every student has a library card.
• Even though many students have been to the library before this trip, getting a chance to spend class time going somewhere new adds a special feeling to the experience. The students loved going so much that they have asked if we can come back again.

Reflection

After just three weeks with these new ideas, my students are enjoying reading and challenging themselves to read way more than the required amount because they have choice and there is no pressure to complete something by a specific date. I am encouraged by the changes I see and their excitement has challenged me to read as much as they do. Right now, my class is setting a goal of reading 100 pages per week and I am held accountable just like my students.