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I have been reading many professional books over the last few months and one of them, Reading Essentials by Regie Routman has some important content that I wanted to share with you. So much of chapter 2 reminded me of the content I shared with parents at Literacy Night.


 * Share your passion for Reading**

Teachers ask all the time, "What about the student who just won't read or can never find a book he likes?" Help that student find a book that interests him. Is the student interested in snakes, cars, sports, history, stamp collecting? Find out; go to the library with him; put a book in his hands; read the beginning aloud to him; do whatever it takes to get him started, Even students with reading disabilities can become proficient readers if their interest in the subject is great enough. Many teachers find that when they and their students work together to establish rich and diverse libraries, finding a book to read ceases to be a problem.

I let students know that most of the books I read are related to literacy and children's literature, that as soon as a new professional book comes out I want to know about it, that I depend on colleagues to tell me about the latest and best children's literature, that I am always reading about my profession. I read an education newspaper (Education Week) and at least half a dozen journals devoted to news, views, and research related to reading and literacy. I explain that this is what people do when they are passionate about a subject and want to increase their knowledge. "What are you passionate about?" I ask, "I will help you find a book."


 * Discuss the Importance and Pleasure of Having a Personal Library**

I have a large library in my home office, and I show the students a full color picture of it. My library is precious to me. It reflects my reading history, interests and knowledge. I confess that my husband is always saying, "Why can't you just get it at the public library?" But I love owning the book, holding it in my hand, arranging it on a shelf, referring to it, taking it out and flipping through the pages, admiring the cover, just looking at it and knowing it's there. I like having my books with me all the time, and I let students know that. Students are always amazed that I have so many books.

When I ask, "Who has a library or shelf at home for your own books?" typically just a few hands go up. We need to encourage students to establish their own home libraries (This is not really an option. Kindergarten students who do well in school own more than fifty books, at a minimum! Well-stocked and well-used libraries, in school and at home, are positively associated with reading achievement. In fact, students in communities that have higher numbers of books per student in school and public libraries typically score higher on a national reading test.)


 * Demonstrate Your Pleasure in Reading**

Think about what gives you pleasure as a reader, and bring that into the classroom. When you have a book you love, let students know it. When you've talked with a friend about a book you're both enjoying, tell your students. If our students are to become readers they have to enjoy reading and find it satisfying. Only then will they choose to read, read for their own purposes--and get high test scores too.