I have always loved books and reading. At the age of 2, I asked for a new Golden book from the store each week. In elementary school, I had many teachers who enjoyed read alouds and I distinctly remember different books read to us in each grade and the mannerisms of each teacher as they read them. The stand-out experience I have from
elementary school comes from the read alouds done by my 5th grade
teacher, Mr. Gray. Among the many books he read to us, the one I remember most is Matilda.
I remember laughing and looking forward to the time when we read a new
chapter. I also remember that same year Matilda the movie came out in
theaters. I don’t know if it was the
excitement of going to the movie with my best friend or the connection I made with the book while one
of my favorite teachers read it to us, but I could barely contain my excitement as I watched.
During the summer, I spent a lot of
time at my grandmother’s house while my mom worked. From 12:00 to 4:00 the TV was accounted for
with the news and then the soaps. I
usually spent those four hours devouring The
Babysitters Club books, then trading off with my sister. It was almost a competition of who could read
more.
I try to show my love for reading in my classroom by making time for read alouds such as, Junie B. Jones. I want our reading time to be one of the things my students remember later in their school career. Every year I emphasize the importance of reading, however, I do not share my own reading life. With the exception of two years ago when I was obsessed with The Hunger Games and found any way I could to make references to it in my daily instruction, for all my students know the only reading I do is with them. To be honest, though, I never really thought about my reading habits and how they affected my students. I always assumed they knew that I read (I mean, isn't that what all teachers do?!?) Reading this chapter opened my eyes to how essential it is for me to discuss my reading life with my students.
Mandie, Not only will your students remember Junie B. Jones, but they will always remember Fancy Nancy with fondness connected to you. There are tons of fifth grade kids who still browse Fancy Nancy books in the library! I know, I can see them from my office. It might be time to break out that old prom dress again! I love how you worked in talking about the hunger games with your kids. I'd love to know what your favorite is now. I am looking to share the same with my book club kids. I love humor essays, so I am looking for a kid version of that.
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