As a teacher of young children, I make it my life’s work to induct members into the Nerdy Book Club. I have a fabulous classroom library stocked with all the most popular titles as well as timeless favorites. I give book talks, show book trailers, and create eye-catching displays. I give my students ample time to cozy up and dig deep into self-selected texts. Reader’s Workshop is the highlight of the school day for the majority of my students – a two-thirds majority to be exact.
So what about the other third?
Eight of my students have been diagnosed with a learning disability which impacts their ability to read. Their education plans call for explicit instruction in phonics and countless fluency drills. Frankly speaking, these students have come to consider reading an arduous and joyless task. Of course remediation amounts to very little if students aren’t consistently applying reading skills in meaningful ways. In other words, these students need to read. And they need to read a lot, every single day. In order to build the fluency and stamina needed to become successful readers, they need to read volumes. But here’s the problem: These readers have learned to avoid reading whenever possible, and who can blame them. Reading is not fun for them. Finding high interest, readable books for 4th graders who are reading well below grade level is not easy. I scour bookshelves and booklists. I create a “buzz” in the classroom so that even my high flyers clamor for these titles. Still I watch my developing readers slip books back onto shelves unread. I lay awake nights wondering how I can help each of these students buy into “The Club” when there’s no obvious and immediate payoff, when Harry Potter and Percy Jackson seem a lifetime away.
But sometimes it takes something other than a book itself to ignite the fire.
For my son Sam it was his love of collecting. Sam was diagnosed with a learning disability at the end of first grade. He entered third grade reading nearly two years below grade level. Then something truly amazing happened, Sam discovered the Magic Tree House books. Sam read every one – all 48 of them. (My eternal gratitude to Mary Pope Osbourne for writing prolifically!) Sure, Sam grew to love Jack and Annie and their adventures through space and time, but what hooked him in the first place was his love for (or obsession with) collecting. Of course as parents we jumped on this bandwagon. The deal was every time he finished a book, we took him to the bookstore to buy him the next one. Sam devoured these books. Over time his fluency and stamina increased. We were visiting the bookstore three to four times per week (and spending a small fortune, but it was so very worth it). After completing the Magic Tree House series, Sam went on to read many other series as well. By the end of the school year, he had read well over 100 books and had managed to catch up with his grade level peers. But more importantly, Sam had discovered the joy of reading. Now in fourth grade, Sam always has a book in hand and several more on deck. A trip to the bookstore is his favorite outing. Sam had become a full-fledged, card-carrying member of The Club, the fire has been ignited.
I have my work cut out for me this year. I have to find the special “fuel” that will ignite that fire for each of my struggling readers. I know it’s possible – my son Sam taught me that.
For some, the social aspect of our reading community is their ticket in. These students are willing to do the hard work in order to “talk the talk”, to make book recommendations and be active contributors during book discussions. This is Ben, who loves a good conversation. I marvel at his ability to dig deep in his discussions about Geronimo Stilton and his complicated relationship with cheese. For Catelyn, having a one-on-one book club with an adult is the key (Yes, I am reading Jade the Disco Fairy – my husband says there is nothing I won’t do). The passion for helping others is what drives Rianna, who practices reading texts with “Pizazz” in order to create audio recordings for English language learners. For those who love a challenge, completing a personal book goal is the motivator. Once lacking the stamina to follow through with any one book, Emily is reading several books per week now working toward her 35 book goal.
Slowly, one by one, these students are finding their way into the club.
Who cares how they get there, as long as they get there.
Michelle Copland is a fourth grade teacher who can be found on Twitter as @mdcopland.
Michelle,
What a great post! Your dedication and passion for guiding and encouraging students to join “the club” is extraordinary. Your students are very fortunate.
Thanks, Kristen!
Your comments about your students are so true! Without fluency, your students won’t be interested readers. I also am always looking for books to whet their interests and wish parents would do their part as to taking their children to the library. Too often these parents admit that they don’t read.
I LOVE this post! I also teach 4th grade and I am a former spec. ed. teacher. I can so relate. You are doing exactly what you should be doing, which is…try EVERYTHING! For me this year it was Big Nate for one student, graphic novels for another….whatever it takes! I was a struggling reading and never had a teacher show me what great books were out there and it took me a LONG time to figure out that reading was more than reading words. Kudos to you for never giving up! Happy Holidays!
I teach sixth grade and I’m right there with you. I do many of the same things in my classroom that you do. My own daughter had difficulty reading. In high school she had an English teacher who suggested she take an Honors English class. I knew how tough it was but encouraged her even though I didn’t believe it was the right fit for her. All of her “gifted” friends backed out of the class when they saw the reading list. She was introduced to Faulkner, Hemingway, and Elie Weisel. She was hooked. I knew she had entered the Nerdy Book club when she was discussing an author’s books with a teacher I worked with. I’d not read the author’s books. She recommended the books to me. She’s now has children of her own and makes sure she is doing everything possible to create Nerdy Book club members.
I love this post. Love it. Thank you so much for all you are doing for your students and for offering such a fine example here. I’m going to share your post with a few folks at my kids’ school.
Hi Michelle,
I teach 4th but I am assigned to teach math and science. However, I have a huge library in my room and my kids love to talk about books. They also know my passion for books and they will read anything I recommend. I also have a large group of reluctant readers whose instruction I don’t get to oversee. I opened the door for them as readers this year by letting them listen to the audio books of the grade level books they wanted to read. I have a large group of kids wanting to read series like Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson series, so I downloaded the books and put them onto their iPods. It is funny how one small piece of technology can really help them grow as readers. Thanks for your great post!
Love this! Because as much as we think if we just “sell” reading and the love of books hard enough every child will buy into it, you are right that there are some who just can’t get that ticket in the door. Thank you for reminding us of that, and then providing some ideas for reaching those children. I would like to share this with the staff at my school, if you don’t mind. Thank you for going the extra mile for ALL of your students.
Thanks, Michelle, for sharing your expertise and methods for helping students to become eager readers even if they seem reluctant. You are a welcome addition to our staff – so happy to have you with us at Mill Pond!
Absolutely! I’m so glad you found the key for your son. I think everyone needs to find the right thing to light their fire. It sounds like you are working hard to help your students find it. I hope all these kids make it to the Nerdy Book Club. I have many sets of Magic Tree House books that have been useful over the years, so I think I’ll pull them out again. I’m new to 4th grade and quite busy with phonics and fluency drills, but I welcome any ideas or suggestions you have for my struggling 4th graders. They are bright and energetic and are working hard to unlock their fire!
Wow Michelle, You are an inspiration! I too hope to ignite the fire in all of my students. Some have it, some are getting it, some…well, I do see flickers. Sometimes flickers can end up being the best fires!