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Developing a LOVE of Reading

 Developing a LOVE of Reading.....

A Personal Story First

Not all students gravitate towards reading.  It may be for a number of reasons....reading is too hard.....reading takes too long....books are boring.....rather do something else.....and many more.  I completely understand because these were all things that I felt growing up too!  

I am a slow reader that was given books I HAD to read not books I WANTED to read.  Sure we had books in the classroom and I got to go to the school library every week....but I didn't have anyone asking me what I liked and working to pair me up with something that may make me actually LIKE to read.  I always loved books from a young age.  I use to sit and page through encyclopedias at my Grandmom's house looking at pictures.  She would take us on walks to the local library and I would grab all sorts of books (I never read) but that I liked to look at.  Books I loved, reading I didn't.

Finally, I was introduced to The Giving Tree in 2nd grade.  We did a little play and I remember playing the tree (it was a small play, 2 parts).  That led me to Where the Sidewalk Ends and I read that book cover to cover.  That was about it for a while!  Everything else were books I HAD to read.  There were a few books through high school that made me excited about reading (ones where I didn't actually buy the cliff notes or if I did, didn't need them).  Books like The Color Purple, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Of Mice and Men, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest were those that I had to read but actually enjoyed.  I absolutely never read for fun.  Why? Reading wasn't fun to me, it was an assignment.  Reading was something I had to do for school.  

I am that old that I remember the first big Barnes and Noble near where I lived.  I LOVED going and picking out books and exploring new topics.  I gravitated towards informational books (and still do).  I figured out what I liked for myself....and I was in my twenties! It wasn't too late, but I think about all that I missed because everyone was too busy telling me what to read and not helping me know myself as a reader.  

Now let's talk about what WE can do to make sure that all of our students aren't waiting until their twenties to start reading by choice!

Not every student comes from a home where reading is promoted, that is not a judgement that is just what I have seen after over two decades in education.  All parents promote reading and books differently and it usually relates back to their own experiences in some way.  That being said, as educators we get a variety of children with a range of experiences with reading and/or books.  We have an obligation to make our time count!

Here are some very simple and effective ways to promote a love of reading in your classroom.  These methods encourage an environment where reading and books are valued.  YOU are the magic ingredient because you set the tone for the community.  YOU make or break the environment. Period.  That's a lot of pressure but any quality educator knows the stakes are high and time is precious.  Make it count!


Leave a comment and tell me ways that you develop a LOVE of reading in your classroom or school environment.  Let's give our students the most enriched reading environments we can!  They are worth it!! Follow this page for more tips and support for literacy instruction.

Visit my TPT store for more reading resources.
Follow me on Pinterest, Simply Primary, to get more ideas on how to develop your reading environment and literacy program. 

Thank You!
Kristin


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