The Missouri Reader Vol. 38, Issue 1 | Page 42

In my classroom, I strive to provide a wide variety of books for my students to read—including historical fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, realistic fiction, science fiction, mystery, along with current popular titles. Allowing my students to keep ongoing wish lists for class books has proven to be a huge motivator, especially for those reluctant readers. To build my library, I have used bonus points to order books from Scholastic book clubs, borrowed from fellow teachers, visited garage sales, and received books donated by retired teachers. Whatever it takes, get books into the hands of your students!

3. Provide time to read regularly.

Teachers who value reading will make time for reading and, in doing so, model the importance of it for their students (Miller, 2009, p. 52). In order for students to appreciate reading they must be given time to read. This reading should most definitely not be limited to academic reading. Rather, uninterrupted time to read for enjoyment is essential if we are to instill the true love of reading within our students. As an added benefit, “…no single literacy activity has a more positive effect on students’ compre-hension, vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing ability, and overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading"

(Miller, 2009, p. 51). My students are given uninterrupted time to read a minimum of three days a week. During this time, students are allowed to read self-selected books, focusing on their interests, which then fosters their love of reading. Many of my students come to class, book in hand, ready to read, anxious to get back into their stories.

4. Supply time to write frequently.

If we are to teach students to write, we must first provide them with opportunities to compose on a regular basis. To do this successfully, we should “focus on the writer first and the writing second” (Routman, 2012, p. 44). Providing numerous opportunities for students to write across the curriculum using all sorts of literary styles, such as essays,

poetry, short

stories, reflec-

tions, literature

responses, just

to name a few,

helps them dis-

cover their per-

sonal style of

writing. Inte-

grating technol-

ogy increases

student motiva-

tion as it opens up a wide array of options for publishing writings while at the same time providing an authentic audience. Students in my classroom write daily, not only to increase their writing skills, but also as a way to share their voice. My students are often given opportunities to choose projects based upon their preferences and strengths. I have been amazed at the increase in motivation and readiness to try new things when my students have been given more responsibility in their writing.

The previous points go hand in hand. The more our students read, the better writers they become. The more our students write effectively, the better they will develop and strengthen cognitive skills needed for successful reading (Gallagher, 2009, p. 14).

"Teachers who value reading will make time for

reading and, in doing so,

model the importance of it for their students."

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