CGES Reader
February Literacy Newsletter
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love any kind of books. I am not picky. I think they are magical and powerful. I get a thrill when I get my hands on a new one. I can't help myself. I believe this feeling is key to making a reader. If kids experience just ONE book they absolutely adore, they will be hooked. We need to help kids discover that book.
Love me? Love me not?
How can you find out what they love? Read on for some suggestions!
Be Like Miss Malarkey
Taking time to conference with each child individually to complete an interest inventory will reveal subjects, titles, or authors kids are interested in reading. Find out what they like and go get them! Present the books you gathered to them and watch the magic happen!
Conferences
Independent reading conferences are a prime opportunity to build a bond with kids. Bring in some of your favorite books from childhood to share with them, and have them share their favorites. (These are my tiny books from when I was a little girl.)
Partners
Have you ever considered matching each child with a reading partner? Lucy Calkins stresses this when she writes about building a reading life. Partners will get to know each other as readers. They will learn the history, interests, and reading hopes of their partner. They will read together or swap books. This is also the person they will have conversations with about books.
Beautiful Act of Love
The Power of Literacy