This week’s reading has been the most agreeable for me. I absolutely love the idea of inspiring students to love reading. The thought of helping a reluctant reader find a book or series that they fall in love with, and that opens the flood gates for them to start reading frequently. Or even the idea of helping a reluctant reader start reading without it feeling like a chore, that’s progress. I was onboard with what Ripp was saying within each of the chapters we were to read.
I especially appreciated how she pointed out that it often seems like we treat reading as a checklist to get through, rather than taking it deeper and letting the students develop their reading. I also was inspired by the realization that we as ELA teachers should be like a librarian in our own classrooms. This will help us suggest the right books for the right students and help students branch out, find their own interests, and fall in love with reading. In other words, we have to know our students and be well read enough to make the proper suggestions that will help them. I sensed a commonality here between Ripp and Kittle, as they both think relationships with students are important.
I also loved the idea of creating a culture of literacy in your classroom. In order for students to be inspired to become readers they need someone there modeling how to do that. You can be that someone. From things as simple as talking about the books you are reading, taking the time to read while your students read so they can see you doing that, things as simple as that can make a huge impact. She mentioned having a “What I’m reading” “What I’ve Read” “What I’m Reading Next” signs outside of your classroom. I didn’t particularly like the public display of how many books you’ve read. I could see that being viewed as a bit braggy.
In chapter 5, I loved the contrast of how reading was taught versus how it should be taught or is taught now (at least from Kipp). The idea of telling a student what to read in the past versus allowing them to choose now, or having students log the books they read on some sort of formal worksheet versus letting them tell you about the book. I just love the shift in how it should be approached and feel it is a great way to help students develop as readers. I also think it is the best way to help them discover what kind of reader they are, what types of books they like, and maybe that they actually LOVE to read.
Jason's Thoughts 
Hi!
I also think this week’s readings was also most agreeable to me. I loved and really appreciated all of the tips Ripp gave about forming relationships between students and reading, along with mentioning what did and didn’t work in her classroom. I also found your point about the “what I’ve read” sign’s interesting. I love that idea and it’s definitely something I plan on incorporating into my classroom, but I definitely see where you’re coming from. I saw it more as a way to give students multiple recommendations without having to go through each book, and I also think students expect English teachers to have read a huge amount of books. But I can definitely see how it could be braggy or intimidating–maybe it would be better to show off this board to students and make sure to include a point that these are the books you have read over the course of MANY years, not just one. Great points!
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Jason,
I really enjoy reading your blog posts. As an ELA teacher myself, Ripp resonated with me as well and I found myself nodding yes to several things she mentioned. The first was her story as a young girl surrounded by books at home and her world. Her mother as a role model is the way I see myself with my own children and as a classroom teacher. I agree that we need to be more like a librarian who hands out really awesome books that we ourselves enjoyed reading, too! I am an avid reader of middle grades books, so I love to be that librarian in my classroom who connects a students’ interest with something I have read. It gives me great joy as well, to see a reluctant reader wide-eyed and getting into a book. That’s when I know I might have a reader in the making. Thanks for your thoughts.
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