I went to a workshop on Saturday with Joy Cowley as the featured speaker. She described how she began writing stories for children. It really started with her son Edward. He was a reluctant reader but he learned to read by reading the stories she wrote about him. Joy Cowley herself was a late bloomer. She didn't read until the age of 9! She gave some very good tips on finding books kids can connect to and are able to read. Of course she read Mrs. Wishy-washy to us. Nobody can read that book better than the author herself. I also went to a breakout session hosted by Jennifer Summerlin. She is soooo inspiring. I got some new book ideas to use with my students. It also made me reflect on my current teaching practices. My school system has provided us with some very good programs and materials but I feel stifled by those tools! I know, crazy huh. This week I'm putting the reading program away and I'm just going to have fun with my students and read books that we love and that motivates students to read. I think students can tell when you aren't reading a book that you love. I also know that every book in that reading program is not relevant to my students' lives. I want to do a better job of hooking my students with books I love and that they will love too.
No comments:
Post a Comment