Start a Reading Movement

From the desk of Alice…

I recently went to my child’s bookfair and came across the book Igniting a Passion for Reading by Steven Layne.  I read this book several years ago and loved it so I picked it up for one of my ERG principals because I thought she would really appreciate it.  We recently talked about how to motivate students and what she could do to personally contribute to a positive reading culture in her school.  Steven Layne’s book would be perfect!

So I passed along the book.  Within 36 hours she sent me a note to tell me she was so excited about the ideas and couldn’t wait to get started in her building.  She quickly implemented a “Principal Read Aloud”.

She chose a text (picture book) and went into 5th grade classrooms to read aloud.  Not just for fun, but to model.  She modeled fluency for her readers, increased vocabulary, and set a clear purpose for her listeners.  The text was The Other Side and she had students consider the symbolism of the fence.  Students wrote responses and she wrote them back.  She. Wrote. Them. Back.

This was a quick lesson, but had a large impact. We can talk all day about what the kids are or are NOT doing.  We can look at numbers, debate theories, put rewards programs in place, but if we are not modeling for our students, we are seriously dropping the ball.  This principal has chosen to walk the walk.  She is making an effort to be an instructional leader by modeling for her staff and students and by doing this, the following things are happening:

• Student motivation for reading is increasing
• Students are starting conversations with her about books
• Teachers are inviting her into their classroom to read aloud while they observe
• Book titles are being tossed around in hallway chatter

What would happen if you focused on getting the alliterate students to read more this year by creating a culture of readers?  What would happen if the school culture didn’t include artificial stimulus but instead focused on a love of authentic reading and writing?

One principal is going to be able to tell us.  She is just as busy as the rest of us.  But by carving out time to create a display and then chat with students in the hallway, the reading movement has started.  Stay tuned.