MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION FOR PROFESSORS ... HOW TO CULTIVATE – “READING HABITS”- IN THEIR STUDENTS - sudhanshu

In continuation to my article yesterday appealing to students – to create READING HABITS IN THEMSELVES.

TODAY I WILL TALK TO PROFESSORS TEACHING OUR STUDENTS – HOW TO CULTIVATE READING HABITS IN THEIR STUDENTS ....... ????!!!!

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I was asked at a recent speaking engagement how I can justify the hours of class time I set aside for students to read. Pointing to my students’ test results garnered gasps from around the room, but focusing on test scores or the numbers of books my students read does not tell the whole story. It does not tell half of the story. You see, my students are not just strong, capable readers; they love books and reading.

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Building lifelong readers has to start here. Anyone who calls herself or himself a reader can tell you that it starts with encountering great books, heartfelt recommendations, and a community of readers who share this passion. A trail of worksheets from a teacher to their students does not build a connection with readers; only books do.

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The fact that educators coined the terms real reading, authentic reading, and independent reading to differentiate what readers do in school from what readers do in life is part of the problem.

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Why does it have to be different?

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Why is the goal of reading instruction disconnected from reading in the rest of a student’s life?

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When did reading become such a technocratic process that we lost the books and the children in the debate?

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I am convinced that if we show students how to embrace reading as a lifelong pursuit and not just a collection of skills for school performance, we will be doing what I believe we have been charged to do: create readers.

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No matter the stage of your teaching career, you have ?something to offer you. Each class should ?explores one aspect of your instruction, which fits into a cohesive plan for creating a classroom culture in which students will read.

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Topics include:

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? My personal reflections about being a lifelong reader. The most powerful component of my teaching practice is my joy in reading and my reading experiences. Follow my journey as a reader, and reflect on what reading means to you.

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? Practical strategies you can implement in your classroom. Investigate the nuts and bolts of setting up a classroom library, designing reading requirements, carving out reading time, and altering your instruction to align with the habits of real readers.

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? Anecdotes and quotes from students who are becoming readers. The best lessons I have learned about teaching reading have come from my students. Let their words about living a reading life and how schools often prevent them from becoming readers guide and inspire you.

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? Whispers. These brief interludes, during your class lecture ?should present activities that I you ?used early, midway, and late in the school year to promote dialogue about reading between your ?students and you.

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So why write another book on getting students to read? Am I a hypocrite for denouncing the reading industry and then participating in it by producing another book claiming to have answers? Although I have read about and implemented many of these ideas myself, including how to create reading and writing workshops and teach case study strategies, and ?I had always ?something different to offer. I had read Toni Morrison during my school days – he has said, “If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” That is what I always wished I could find when I was learning how to teach. I needed a book that showed me how to connect my love of reading to my teaching of reading and how to use what I already knew about being a lifelong reader to encourage my students to read, but I could never find one.

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I imagine there are some readers of this article who will get validation for the great practices they already use to motivate their students to read. Bask in the validation. You deserve it. There are some who want the practical tips I provide. Do what great teachers have always done: steal whatever ideas you can use. There are a few of us, though, who need a change of heart, a paradigm shift about what reading should be—both for our students and for ourselves. I hope you can find it. Maybe this article ?will inspire you to start looking. No matter what kind of reader you are, know that I value you and welcome you here.

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?MY READING - MY TEACHING AND MY BOOKS –

SOME JOTTINGS FROM MY DIARY

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What we have loved

Others will love

And we will teach them how

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Reading has helped me a lot with writing my books. All of the books I read gave me ideas and thoughts for writing. Without books, I would not have been the author ?today.??

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No matter how busy you may think you are, you must

find time for reading, or surrender yourself to

self-chosen ignorance.

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A comment from my student -

I read in class and that influences me reading everywhere

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To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for

yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.

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I have learned that you can’t hate a book till you’ve tried it! Bring it on. :-)

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EVERYBODY IS A READER?

BOTH –

THE TEACHER & THE STUDENT

CULTIVATE YOURSELF

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Much love

sudhanshu

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