Reading Just for the Fun of It

If you love reading and you are an educator, you have probably read some works by Stephen Krashen. His research is right up my alley in that he has shown, as others have, students need access to books and they need time to read. I can clearly remember sneaking a book under my desk and reading while the teacher taught. Oddly, I do not remember getting reprimanded for that practice. Was it because my grades were fine? Was it because my mouth was finally shut??? Yes, I was talkative in school, once receiving the lowest conduct grade possible in self-control! I feel certain I was not as secretive as I thought I was. Now here's what I'm wondering. Perhaps if I had an SSR time to look forward to, maybe I would not have been sneaking a peek at my book, or maybe not! I have worked in several schools which incorporated a free reading time daily and it was awesome. In one school nobody moved during our reading time. No one. The secretaries would not even look up because everyone was supposed to be reading. It was awesome and this behavior really underlined the culture of the school. A culture of readers! Having said all that, I have some good books for you to read, hopefully during your voluntary free reading time! The first title is just for fun. It is called THE Tushy Book by Fran Manushkin. I would not add it to my school library but I would buy it as a parent for potty training reading, the rhymes are quite cute. As a librarian through and through, I really enjoyed Read It, Don't Eat It! by Ian Schoenherr. Big pictures of all kinds of cute, big eyed animals and low vocubulary punctuate about 16 rules for library books. You read it here, I predict you will hear alot more about Wombat Walkabout by Carol Diggery Shields. This is a very sweet read aloud for young children about wombats who outsmart a dingo while they are out for a walk. The last primary book is Drummer Boy by Loren Long. This modern day story of a little toy soldier who was accidentally thrown into the garbage but finds his way back home one snowy night through a series of interesting events. Not your old fashioned singing for the king story but beautifully written and the illustrations are Kincade- like so they are very eye-catching. My last title to share is for middle schools at the very least. I read this book for one reason. It is written by Walter Dean Myers. If you read the last blog, you know I am a fan of VEMA. I met Mr. Walter Dean Myers while at a meal function for VEMA. In fact, I sat NEXT TO HIM. He was so down to earth and real life not at all like a celebrity. But of course, that is because he is a reader and writer!! Anywy, Amiri and Odette was inspired by Swan Lake. It is a love story, it is poetry, it is inner city kids. It is amazing! The paintings were created on asphalt and then photographed for the book. Each one underlines the passion of the story so well. Please if you read this book, add a comment to this post. I want to know what you think. Lastly, read up on SSR time and be an advocate for the students in your school.
I want to leave you with a quote today.
Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child. Listed by author anonymous. Found on the website by Richmond city schools, reading quotes.