“Let us begin with a deceptively simple fact…human beings were never born to read.” -Maryanne Wolf, Reader, Come Home Maryanne Wolf loves words. She has a prestigious background in reading research, but it’s her use of words that betrays her true facination. She’s one of those people I would read no matter what she wrote about–dump trucks, ceiling fans, plastic. Fortunately for me (and for you reading teacher!), she focuses on a topic that is both dear and relevant: reading. In her book Reader, Come Home, she reminds us how the reading brain works, how it can be altered by digital media, and how we can help our students (and…
-
-
Genre Study = Automatic Spiral Review
I don’t know about you, but I feel overwhelmed by the phrase “spiral review.” Sure, you want to give students opportunities for meaningful review, but “spiral review” brings to mind convoluted spreadsheets. You chart out a complicated course only to find yourself constantly treading water. But there’s good news, if you’re a reading workshop teacher (especially if you use genre study), you can engage in meaningful review without the spreadsheets. All reading instruction falls into a few broad categories. In genre study, each genre unit addresses these broad categories and fills in the details according to the genre you’re currently studying. Here’s an example: Instead of having a “text structure”…
-
Brainy or Breezy? Four Books to Enjoy this Summer
Summer is the best time to get in some reading, but the question remains–should I focus my reading around professional development, or let my mind wander off campus? Here are four books to satisfy either inclination: Fiction Gilead by Marilynne Robinson will make you feel bright and whole. It’s narrated by the elderly Reverend Ames. Initially, Ames decides to write down his “begats” for his young son, but he is increasingly distracted by current events. His godson Jack has returned to the town of Gilead and his unsettling presence leads the Reverend to reflect on the town’s history and its very personal consequences. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel is a…
