The Million Dollar Question: Reading Engagement


If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know how passionate I am when it comes to student engagement. That includes during independent reading and reading instruction. I think one of the most difficult battles that we fight is how to get our students to love {sometimes we even settle for like} reading. Check out my Periscope from last week to see how I plan on engaging my readers this year! This is definitely one...of many future posts! 


I have been working and reading All. Summer. Long. I have been reflecting on my experience as a teacher and as a reader. My thoughts go in a million different directions, but even through the foggy ideas, one thing always holds true. I feel 99.9% certain that this answers the question: How do I get my students to read and love it? 


Seems simple right? Then why is it SO hard? I feel like often times, this practice is neglected because of standards and mandates. As teachers, let's be honest...we also like control. By allowing our students to select their own texts, we are releasing complete control! I know. It's scary, right?

However, if we find a way to make this happen, I strongly believe that it could potentially do more than just change our students' reading behaviors. I 100% believe this could change their lives. After all, lifelong readers is what we all strive to create. 

I am going to be breaking down my year in reading here on the blog as the weeks progress. I am sure I will have many achievements to celebrate, but I also plan to share my struggles. I am hoping that together, we can all work to change our reading instruction into something that truly engages and INSPIRES our students. 

I have also been collaborating with my brilliant friend, Adam Dovico, to create a new reading incentive program that we feel will inspire and motivate our readers. It's not reading logs. It has nothing to do with points. It's all about creating a classroom of engaged readers. Adam and I will be revealing this on September 18th. I. Can't. Wait!!! Here is a little sneak peek!  


I can't wait to share the progress of my readers this year. Let's change our readers...together! :) 

6 comments:

  1. A must read is The miraculous Journy of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Students love this book.

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  2. I have seen reluctant readers become engaged readers when they were able to choose their own books, even books that I personally disliked or felt were too easy. While I encourage students to read mostly books that are within their zone of proximal development, I try to allow them to read outside of it too. My goal isn't just to create able readers, but to create readers who want to read. It is a challenge, especially when reading is hard for a particular child.
    ✿April✿
    Grade School Giggles

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  3. This is exactly what Benjamin Bloom was talking about when created three domains of learning, and THIS domain, the Affective domain is exactly what this "love of reading" is all about...our own attitudes and dispositions about how we feel about ourselves as learners and readers, and our love and motivation towards it. #goodstuff

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  4. This is exactly what Benjamin Bloom was talking about when created three domains of learning, and THIS domain, the Affective domain is exactly what this "love of reading" is all about...our own attitudes and dispositions about how we feel about ourselves as learners and readers, and our love and motivation towards it. #goodstuff

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  5. I absolutely loved listening to your Periscope, and not just because I'm one of your "firstie" listeners, but because I seriously sounded EXACTLY like you last fall after I finished The Book Whisperer. I created a book club in my classroom, gave students choice in their reading, and started regular conversations with my students about what they were reading. Oh my word...I could NOT believe the way my kids were reading and the volume of reading that was done last year! I'm so excited to hear your future Periscopes as you begin to see the power of this approach. EVERYONE needs to read The Book Whisperer. Have you started her follow up book called Reading in the Wild?

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