By "popular" demand, today I am writing a review of a little book I read this morning...literally, this morning. It is a very short, easy read-especially if you are a literacy nerd like me. I would place it on a recommended reading list for all of my colleagues.
From the "Not this, But that" series No More Independent Reading Without Support by Debbie Miller and Barbara Moss (Heinemann 2013)
First, let me say that of all the famous people I would want to be stranded on a desert island with, Debbie Miller ranks RIGHT UP THERE. I think I would hardly even realize I was stranded if I had her to talk to! That being said, I didn't find the information in the book to be earth-shatteringly new...but the organization of it and the combination of research and practice suggestions would most certainly meet any elementary classroom teacher's need. (I mean, I am the type of person who laps up Debbie Miller like her info is chocolate...if she says it, I love it...but some people want research behind the ideas, and this little gem will provide.)
The book is only 71 real reading pages and small 5x7 pages at that. So for you "reluctant readers" this is right up your alley. The big idea is really a description of Reader's Workshop, but in a very succinct manner.
BIG TAKE-AWAY from the book is that we all know students need time to read, but they won't progress without the teacher playing an active role during that time. It is not the same as DEAR or SSR, or time to check emails or prepare for next lesson, etc. We all know that time can clearly be wasted with "fake reading" or lack of comprehension. Our young students need teachers constantly monitoring, teaching, and scaffolding their learning as they practice.
That conferring and small group instruction piece still scares some teachers, and I don't know why. It's a little scary to me that teachers do not feel confident in growing readers. It's like they think they don't know what the habits and behaviors of good readers are. I say grab a resource like this book with some guiding questions to get started. Form a study group with your colleagues to challenge yourselves and grow professionally.
I sense I theme for professional development at my school coming very soon!
Amy, Ericka, Beth, Misty, et al...I hope this review meets your need! You know I love a good literacy chat any ol' day, so call me up!
From the "Not this, But that" series No More Independent Reading Without Support by Debbie Miller and Barbara Moss (Heinemann 2013)
First, let me say that of all the famous people I would want to be stranded on a desert island with, Debbie Miller ranks RIGHT UP THERE. I think I would hardly even realize I was stranded if I had her to talk to! That being said, I didn't find the information in the book to be earth-shatteringly new...but the organization of it and the combination of research and practice suggestions would most certainly meet any elementary classroom teacher's need. (I mean, I am the type of person who laps up Debbie Miller like her info is chocolate...if she says it, I love it...but some people want research behind the ideas, and this little gem will provide.)
The book is only 71 real reading pages and small 5x7 pages at that. So for you "reluctant readers" this is right up your alley. The big idea is really a description of Reader's Workshop, but in a very succinct manner.
- The first section describes the lack of time (and the empty excuses) for independent reading during the day. I love the analogy of guarding the bench! (this is the NOT THIS part of the book)
- The second section is why independent reading matters and the research to support that with the best practices in place, it yields more achievement than some of the other components of a balanced literacy program. Each section tells you where to go to see the best practices in section 3, so if you are looking to support new initiatives in your school or classroom, you can easily refer one to the other. (this is the WHY NOT part of the book)
- The third section is the instructional framework for IR. Everything from finding the time in your day, to what students should be doing, to what teachers should be doing, and just that culminating "feel-good" ending that makes you pump your fist in the air and say "YEAH! Let's DO this! This is what it is ALL ABOUT people!" OK, maybe I'm the only one who feels this way when I listen to Debbie speak, but it gets me every time. (this is the BUT THAT part of the book)
BIG TAKE-AWAY from the book is that we all know students need time to read, but they won't progress without the teacher playing an active role during that time. It is not the same as DEAR or SSR, or time to check emails or prepare for next lesson, etc. We all know that time can clearly be wasted with "fake reading" or lack of comprehension. Our young students need teachers constantly monitoring, teaching, and scaffolding their learning as they practice.
That conferring and small group instruction piece still scares some teachers, and I don't know why. It's a little scary to me that teachers do not feel confident in growing readers. It's like they think they don't know what the habits and behaviors of good readers are. I say grab a resource like this book with some guiding questions to get started. Form a study group with your colleagues to challenge yourselves and grow professionally.
I sense I theme for professional development at my school coming very soon!
Amy, Ericka, Beth, Misty, et al...I hope this review meets your need! You know I love a good literacy chat any ol' day, so call me up!