Book Whisperer - Chapter 5

"The Book Whisperer" by Donalyn Miller has caught me in its web. I am almost finished reading it, and will have to reread it I am sure!

To be validated in what and how you teach is wonderful. I keep agreeing with her on so many things.

Chapter 5, "Walking the Walk", really stresses the need for both parents and teachers to be reading role models for their children.

I always start the year with a sharing of our favourite books. I bring in many that I have read over the summer and old favourites. Each child gets to share their fav. book and then they are on display for a couple of weeks. I draw a name several times each day during this time and read that child's book. There is always a discussion about that book as well.

I have several bookcases and boxes of books that are just waiting to be read. I always have several on the go. And still I buy more books. Books are essential to me - I would be lost without books.

I try to share my love of reading with my students right from the beginning of the year. I read aloud a lot in the first few weeks, mostly picture books. Then I begin chapter books and read every day after second break. The children soon know the routine and they come in anxious to hear more of the story. I usually start with Judy Moody and Gooney Bird . Then I move onto several of Kate Di Camillo's books - Because of Winn Dixie and "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane." I want their heads and hearts to connect with the story. We have had tears and shouts of "No, she can't die" with Edward's Journey. I expect nothing more from these read alouds than to be caught up in the story and to be able to discuss as we go along.

Another book that I found helpful was "Reading Essentials by Regie Routman. Her Chapter 3 was on "Sharing your Reading Life"

I have to share a bit of my reading life:

I finished a tremendous book last night, "Bury Your Dead" by Louise Penny. It is the "One Book, One Community" book for Waterloo Region this year. I was so caught up in it, I read late and finished it last night. If you like mysteries you'll love this. Once I had finished, I found out that this was no. 6 in a series, with no. 7 coming out the end of Aug. Guess what I will be tracking down soon?

Visit Mrs. Roja's blog for more about Chapter 5.

The Book Whisperer - Chap.4

I finally received my copy of "The Book Whisperer" by Donalyn Miller yesterday and quickly read the first 4 chapters. I have found a kindred spirit! What I have been doing in my classroom the past 3 years has been validated by her.

As I read authorities on reading and studied for reading courses, I always felt that for a child to succeed as a reader, he or she had to read and read a lot.

Between Miller and the Daily Five, I know what I do is what kids need.

We start the year with 10 minutes of independent reading and by Christmas, my Grade 3 class is usually reading 30 minutes at the beginning of the day. Their only job during this reading time each day is to "read and record". They record their reading each day : Date /Title/ Author/Genre/JR-E-C/No. of stars (their rating up to 5)

I meet with each reader each week for a quick running record if needed and a conference on their reading.

At the end of the year when I have had them fill out a survey, their favourite class activity has always been our independent reading.

Using reader's notebooks is done as well, but never at this time. We read and read and read.

Thank you Donalyn!

At " Thinking of Teaching ", there is a book study on the book and it has been so interesting to see other teachers excited by Miller and what she writes about reading.

I know many of us teachers get so fed up with all the standardized testing, and new jargon and updated curriculum that is foisted on us each year. There is less and less time for reading, for art, for drama and music. Instead we must prepare kids for tests and we are judged as teachers because of test scores.

What I want for each child coming into my class is to love reading and to feel good about themselves. I want them to explore what their strengths and weaknesses are and to try new things.

I am excited about Miller's book and look forward to finishing the book.

I know I will adopt some of her ideas - like the book frenzy, which I do in a modified way. I have never had a genre requirement for the children. I like the idea of setting a guideline for genres as well as the number requirement.

(With Grade 3s, many are still reading picture books well into the school year, so the number might have to be modified.)