Sustaining Student Effort in Reading

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Sustaining Student Effort in Reading by Mind Map: Sustaining Student Effort in Reading

1. School Culture

1.1. student directed school culture, not teacher directed. Student autonomy is valued and encouraged.

1.2. involve students in design of library space and colour of paint, chairs,- perhaps a student created mural

1.3. involve students in planning whole school, grade or division reading events (snuggle up and read, buddy reading day, etc)

1.4. although the board has schools focus on tests, have schools use their findings to improve student reading by creating collaborative learning experiences (6 week planning sessions imbedded in the school day) for teachers to discuss and implement a variety of fun and rich reading experiences to help improv student reading and interest.

1.5. share teachers love of reading by displaying pictures of teachers and "caught" reading their favourite books

1.6. invite teachers into other classrooms to be a "guest" reader

2. Community

2.1. involve community partners, such as libraries, authors (many of whom are within your OWN school boards) to engage in sharing their reading experiences

2.2. have students create their own questions for the author or for each other based on piece of literature they read

2.3. invite authors to talk with students in person or via skype

3. Classroom Culture

3.1. student voice & choice of literature based on their interests! A compromising democratic classroom

3.2. book clubs, literature circles, partner reading, reading buddies with grade partners or other grades so reading is fun and not in isolation.

3.3. create a classroom with a growth mindset (all students can learn with sustained effort) Practice improves skill

3.4. create a warm, nurturing, comfortable classroom environment where students take ownership of it's design and layout

3.5. have students choose how they can share their books/characters/themes with peers in creative ways (book in a bag, drama, powerpoint presentations, songs, art, media displays, create a facebook page/group, twitter page, etc) not necessarily in written book reports

3.6. ask critical questions that don't have one answer but that encourage students to engage in discussions and question ways the characters engage in their word and lead ultimately to students thinking critical;ly about how THEY are going to engage in the world..

3.7. make reading FUN! (not a chore that you need to bribe students with by giving incentives.)

3.8. deemphasize importance of grades and tests, but rather skills acquired and that mistakes are learning opportunities for improvement!

3.9. teachers have to learn to be comfortable giving up "control" and be a guide following the lead of student interests. "teachers learn to make good decisions by MAKING decisions, not following directions" You can be in "control" by "putting students in control" http://www.alfiekohn.org/article/create-nonreaders/

3.10. student generated questions for group, partner or whole class activities, student created success criteria, types of assessments, and editing checklists and conduct frequent student "check ins".

4. Family

4.1. reading for a specific length of time shouldn't be pushed but rather parents need to model and encourage reading for interest sake, to learn something, or as a good routine to relax before bed-  not because it's homework

4.2. get involved with the school community and your surrounding community with your kids.  For example, take your kids to book festivals like Telling Tales http://www.tellingtales.org/festival-2015-slideshow/