The Book Whisperer

I finished it!  Ok, I finished it the day after I got it.  I did want to go back through and pick out my favorite parts before I posted though.  Bare with me, though, as I try to sort out my thoughts.  I would really love to hear what you guys have to say too!

What does the author say?

Donalyn Miller is a 6th grade teacher, so the book is geared towards middle school teachers.  However, it still proved to be an inspiring read even though I teach 2nd.  

Her main focus is that students should read.  And then they should read some more.  And then read more.   And that they should enjoy it!  We are forcing students to not like reading but making them do so many "reading-related" activities.  Miller states that "every non-reading activity wastes precious minutes of reading."  So true!  I think that at the elementary level when students are still understanding the concepts of print and reading, we need to do some of those activities.  

We should really focus on the actual reading though.  And I think that using the Reading Workshop model, we are headed in the right direction (woohoo!).   We need to be teaching readers, not books (aka basal readers).  According to Miller, we should "look for ways to use the books {the students} do read to meet their instructional goals."  We should value the students' preferences and let them read what they want and work from there.

What isn't working?

Book logs.  Testing.  Worksheets.  All the boring stuff isn't working!  Why are we judging a student's ability to read by making them write down every minute they read?  I've been having my student's use book logs as homework.  I don't like it.  I never have.  They don't do it.  I don't look at it very closely.  The parents see it as a nuisance.  Something needs to change.  I don't test my students or use many worksheets in Reader's Workshop.  I use a Reader's Notebook but not to the best of it's ability.  That needs to change too.

What can I change?

As I was reading, I was thinking of ways that I could use Miller's ideas in my own classroom.

1. Student Book Clubs

I want to create a "special" book club for students who want to join.  I am going to hold it once a week (or once a month) on a Friday during lunch, cafe style.  I want the students to be able to talk with each other and with me about books that they have read.  I am hoping for a relaxed experience for students to build and share their love of reading.  Has anyone ever tried this?  Are students genuinely interested in joining?

2. Take Home Book Bags

My goal is to make at-home reading a family affair.  I want to create themed book bags for students to bring home once a week (for the whole week) to share with their families.  I would like to put a few books, activities, and a response journal in each bag.  I'm thinking of doing this instead of book logs.  Has anyone ever used take home book bags before?  Was it successful?

3. Reader's Notebook

I already do Reader's Notebooks but I don't like them.  I start them in January and the students choose a response question and answer it in their notebook.  That's it.  There's no connection with me and they dread it.  I might start them earlier in the year and have the students write me a letter instead that I could answer.  Miller suggests having the teacher create their own Reader's Notebook and discussing the contents of the notebooks during Reading Workshop conferences.  Great idea!  Do you use some sort of reader's response?  What is it and how do you feel about it?

One last thing...

My favorite line from the whole book is when she says "I wanted to pull out all of the desks and drag in couches and coffee tables turning my room into Barnes and Noble."  I have always wanted to do this!!  

Have you read The Book Whisperer before?  What were your thoughts?