February
18
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Reading Lessons Learned by Carrie Rodusky
I am a lifelong reader. I have always listed reading as a favorite hobby and would choose to sit with a good book over anything else. I was the kid who rode her bike in the summer to the library and sat in the aisles for hours. Once, in the third grade I saw my school librarian in the grocery store and reacted as if she were a celebrity, because, in fact she was my favorite person in the school.
My students know this about me and it would not surprise me if they also thought (insert eye roll) “here she goes again” when I share a new book I have read with them during class. I take my job seriously as an ELA teacher in upper elementary. I follow the standards, make sure I get in that all-important grammar lesson with vocabulary, but my real passion is with the stories and authors we read.
I teach strategies and skills; and that is necessary. However, I love sharing books I find at the library, through blogs, or through collaborating with others. The kids seem to like it too, because a few have come to school to tell me they could not wait to get to the library over the weekend to check out Blended or Louisiana’s Way Home and what can we say about Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick and how so many of my fourth graders told me they saw The Marvels in the bookstore but just kept walking by with the hopes I will choose it as my next read aloud in class? That is progress.
Why is this important? You see, I teach at a school where many of the students come from non-reading homes. They are not encouraged to read outside of school and many only read during the time they are with me. I try to create an environment that celebrates reading and all that books can do for your life. Did anyone watch “The Great American Read” this past fall on PBS? As a book nerd, I was glued. I showed some of the portions to my fifth graders. I showed them clips with Jason Reynolds and they got emotional when watching George Lopez tear up as he talked about how Charlotte’s Web impacted him so. I know I cannot make someone a reader, but I can try. There are days I feel discouraged for sure. I wonder if anyone is getting anything I am saying. Yet, in the midst of that doubt, right before break, I was reminded why I teach reading.
A fifth grade student of mine knows I love all things figurative language and you will often hear students yelling out, “I found onomatopoeia!” as they are reading around the room. During their time to independently read, this student was nose deep in her book and raised her hand to let me know that she was finding all kinds of personification. At the end of class, she followed me out and told me how this story “made the house come alive.“ I took a peek at the cover, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand was the book. I asked her to bring it back. The next day she eagerly raised her hand again. “Can I read this to the class?” she asked.
“Behind Victoria the house yawned and creaked.” “Yep! Definitely making the house seem human.” She continued, “A tiny ripple raced along the front side of the house, like the bricks were skin and the ripple was the blood underneath.”
I could hardly contain my excitement. She continued to tell me about her favorite character and what she thought of the story so far. I read the back cover and skimmed a few pages and was hooked. I brought my laptop over and showed her how I was checking out the book from my public library to hopefully read over break. Now the murmurs started and other students were asking which book and what part was that and would I really read it over break. Well, I am happy to say I read it over break. In two days. The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls was creepy and spooky and there was sadness but also strength and a leading female protagonist that made me root for her while being annoyed with her at the same time. It was full of beautiful personification and descriptive language that I could teach for days. I could see why my student wanted Victoria to go away and then ultimately regret that decision.
I did not want the story to end. But, now I get to talk about it in class with that student. I get to connect with her about a book and we can tie in emotions and opinions and compare it to other texts. We can find a book to read next that would compliment this story and with any luck, we can have others in the class join our enthusiasm. Books are meant to be shared and talked about. I can give you a ton of ideas and recommendations, but I can also say this: Are you looking for a good read? Ask a student. I can’t wait to hear.
Carrie Rodusky has been teaching since 1996. She is currently the fourth and fifth grade language arts teacher and 4th grade social studies in a Catholic school outside of Cleveland, Ohio. She loves all things reading and can be found out under the trees on a summer day with book in hand. She hopes all kids will identify themselves as readers and still tries with her own teenagers. She will read “Wild” and “The Secret Life of Bees” every year without fail.
Nerdy Book Club 
I’ve always believed that the best teachers know how to set the conditions and get out of the way. That’s what you are doing, and it looks like it’s working! Keep up the good work.
I am also a life long book nerd. ( I would rather read than sleep.) I grew up reading not only because I loved it but also because it took me away from the reality of my troubled childhood. I always checked out the max at the school library & loved when the RIF Book Van would come through our school or neighborhood. Due to my readings and/or followings of Colby, Donalyn, Pernille, Jillian, and so many others this past year, my perspective on how to get my kiddos reading more. I rearranged my books to make them more accessible & more visible. (I have never been a leveler.) Every time I finish a book, I give a book talk. I asked my friends to be sponsors for my students so they now get a new book of their own five times a year with a personal note inside. I make sure every night & especially weekends that they have a book to take home with them. But the most important thing I have changed is that my independent reading time, read aloud, & picture book a day time have become non-negotiable. Those three things happen every single day no matter what. The only problem that has developed is that I now have a never ending pile of books that I want to read and/or purchase. 🙂 Happy Reading!
This is wonderful for you and your lucky students. I am curious what you did to get your friends to be sponsors for your students. Can you tell a little about how that works? IE how many students do you have and how many sponsors, plus how do you decide the books the students will receive. (Do you use Amazon or another source?) I think you might be able to write a post for the Nerdy Book Club here if you are interested. Check in with them? Thanks so much!
This is wonderful and does happen when you are truly engaged with books and reading and kids on a REAL level. Thanks for sharing this delightful story, Carol. It is one I am sure many teachers can relate to, ie that “moment” when a kid says or does something that makes us KNOW our methods and work is taking hold (and changing lives). This reminds me of the wonderful work of Peter Johnston and Gay Ivey in 8th grade. Kids were given access to books and allowed to choose and read. Scores went up, but more importantly literacy took hold in a real way, both among the students and at home in their community. These articles might be interesting to you. I taught Readers Workshop for many years and it was an amazing success. I am retired now, but still very involved. You make me want to read that book asap. Thank goodness for Kindle for this though I will never stop my love affair with books!!! I love your post here at Nerdy Book Club. Thank you again.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1086296X15619731
and
Click to access LA0943Emerging.pdf
Oops, I meant to write Carrie!!! Not Carol.
Dear Carrie,your 5th grade student’s love of THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, and the emotions she experienced,touches my heart and inspires me as an author. Thank you for discussing books with your students and sharing this moment with us.
Loved this, Carrie. Thank you.
How inspiring. I love the enthusiasm for books and reading I read in your words. What joyful experiences your students have with books. There’s nothing better than sharing bookopinions with others who enjoy them too.
I love your enthusiasm and dedication! You are so right about sticking to your beliefs. Every time we book talk or confer with a student, we are making a connection and modeling what readers do. Just like you, I still try with my own teens, too, and remain hopeful that they will open their hearts to books soon.
You post hit home for me. I teach middle school students who come from non reading homes. I have even done a poll to see whose parents read to them when they were younger. The response was disheartening. Based on the reading levels and struggles of my students, it makes sense that their biggest roles models (their parents) do not participate in reading at home. In my classroom, just like you, I try to expose my students to an array of book titles and stories. I just wanted them to find something they enjoy reading. I don’t focus on a specific reading level, nor discourage them from reading anything they want to read. My biggest struggle is just getting them to actually give a book a chance. It seems like kids their age are just so use to instant gratification from technology that they have the hardest time with reading endurance. I would venture to say they lack reading GRIT. One thing I have started doing in my class is more discussion. I have a designated independent reading time and I will go around and confer with students. This gives them a chance to discuss what they are reading, and it gives me the opportunity to see if they are comprehending (and enjoying) what they are reading. I have been surprised by how excited some students are to share what they are reading.
After reading this blog, I felt that I could connect with the information presented. I teach at school were many students are not encouraged to read at home or do not have access to books at home. I feel that providing students at school with the connections to reading they need it will be beneficial to them. By presenting books to the students that will interest them will help get them excited to read. I will hear from time to time by students say “I don’t like to read.” Whenever students say that to me I immediately start to think of ways to help this student with being interested in reading or at least give it a try. When you stated “I know I cannot make someone a reader, but I can try” I can relate to it. By finding new ways to teach reading or using texts that could appeal to the students it could help make a difference in their attitude towards it.
I like how you brought up an important point about making connections with your students. I have learned from my experience teaching that making connections and establishing good relationships with your students can help make a difference.