first grade, Reading Recovery, and now 5th grade. I know what early literacy learning looks like, what middle level literacy looks like, and how to help struggling readers. At each level, I've always been asked the same question..."How can I help [insert child's name] become a better reader?" I've been asked by parents of ALL grades (especially once someone finds out what I do for a living). My answer is always the same...THEY MUST READ!!!!!
Many students who do not like to read dislike it because:
- "It is too hard". Somehow they missed out on strategies that they needed to know at an early age. These can be taught at any age, but once a student leaves 2nd grade, the whole dynamic of literacy learning changes. It makes it so much more difficult for a student to catch up without specific interventions.
- "It is boring"or "I don't like reading". I hear this one ALL the time. We live in a "microwave" world. Everyone wants everything yesterday. We have no patience as a society. So naturally, this would be evident in our children. Kids want everything to entertain them. Well, that is not how real life is. Everything isn't fun and games. Sometimes, you have to read stuff that is BORING! Trust me, I did not find the Scarlett Letter to be a thrilling page turner as a 16 year old high school junior. Nor did I find Don Quixote to be my favorite in my college literature class. However, they were assignments. If I wanted to pass (and I did) I had to read and comprehend the stories. I tell the kids all the time, "I don't like paying my electric bill, but I do like turning on my lights." Sometimes, you just have to do things you don't want to do. That's life.
- "I read too slow." or "It makes me sleepy." Do you know how many times my husband and daughter have used that excuse? If I had a nickel... One reads slowly or gets sleepy because one lacks stamina. I am a very fast reader and I can read hundreds of pages AND STAY AWAKE! Know why? Because I practice!
That brings me to the solution to all these EXCUSES. You must practice. Let me say that again (and louder) YOU MUST PRACTICE!!!!!!! Okay, no more yelling. If someone wants to become a great ball player or musician, he must practice. The same with reading. There is no magic formula, no quick fix to make it easier. To become a better reader, to build that stamina, a person must read-whether he likes it or not!
I know that not every student will LOVE reading. Some kids will never choose to do it as a past time.I know that some people do not find reading to be a worthwhile hobby, but I would be stunned to hear a person say that reading is not a key to success. However, I do believe that I can help every student appreciate literature and language. I believe that I can help students become proficient readers who can function as literate adults. (If I didn't believe these things, I think it would be time for an occupation change!) One must be able to read and read well. So, even though I still try to make students love to read, it is not my primary focus. My main goal is to make them into literate people. Every activity that I do is designed to make them better readers.
Every day, I take a "Status of the Class". During this time, I ask students what book they are reading and what pages they have read. I can tell from this status who has or has not read during the specified time.
I provide approximately 20 minutes daily in my class to read. I know that the other teachers on the team provide time in their classes periodically, as well. Students are supposed to bring a book to every class every day. Students are also allowed to stay in at recess or take a book to the courtyard We give as much time to independent reading as we can. However, we do have content to teach, so I can not give 85 minutes a day to silent, independent reading. That is why the ONLY homework your child has in my class is to read EVERY NIGHT for a minimum of 20 minutes. Now, I can control what happens in my classroom. I can take a "Status of the Class", or dole out consequences for not reading in class. What I can not do, what I WILL not do, is check up on whether or not they are being responsible for this at home. I do not require a "reading log." I found that to be more of a hassle and a deterrent than a help. I'm not trying to meddle or tell you how to parent your children, but if you don't set a time or some sort of accountability for your child's reading homework, he is not going to do it. Unless you have a book worm, your 5th graders is going to find something else to do instead of read. 
Your child set a reading goal for the year during the second week of school. We challenged ourselves to reading. I set a 40 book goal for myself. The students analyzed themselves and were told to set a goal that would be a challenge, but not unattainable. I will remind students about their goals. I check up on their progress periodically. I will be holding your kids' feet to the fire on their reading practice. If they set a reasonable goal for themselves, then the only reason they would not achieve it would be because they are NOT reading.
I hope I can count on your support. I do have your child's best interest at heart. I am doing everything I can to make your child a proficient and literate person who can be successful in his future. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Until then-
Happy reading-
