Have You Read. . . .

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller is all about helping kids fall in love with reading. Instead of focusing on tests and rigid reading schedules, Miller advocates giving students the freedom to choose books that excite them. She shares her experiences as a teacher and offers practical tips for encouraging reluctant readers and creating a classroom (or home) environment where reading is fun and engaging. The book shows how important it is to let kids explore books they actually care about, rather than pushing them into a one-size-fits-all reading plan. Miller believes that when kids love reading, they’ll want to keep doing it for life.

“It’s not about teaching kids to read; it’s about creating an environment where they want to read.” -Donalyn Miller

I first heard about this book from Sarah Mackenzie at Read Aloud Revival (If you aren't familiar with her website you should pop over to her website). It reminded me of my public school teaching days and how much I wanted to inspire those kiddos to read, read, read. Now homeschooling, I was reminded to keep on inspiring kiddos to read, read, read, which is probably one of the reasons why I wanted to start up book clubs. "Reading is a communal act that connects you to other readers, comrades who have traveled to the same remarkable places that you have and been changed by them, too." - Donalyn Miller, The Book Whisperer

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Ideas For the Classroom:

1. Silent Sustained Reading (SSR):

   • Dedicate time for independent reading every day. Allow students to choose books that interest them, creating a more personalized reading experience.

2. Reading Conferences:

   • Hold one-on-one reading conferences with students to discuss the books they’re reading, helping them set goals and encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings about the text.

3. Book Talks:

   • Invite students to give short, informal presentations about the books they’re reading. This encourages enthusiasm and gives students the chance to share recommendations with each other.

4. Book Choice Walls:

   • Set up a book wall where students can post recommendations for books they love. It can help create a culture of peer suggestions and inspire others to pick up new books.

5. Reading Challenges:

   • Implement a reading challenge that allows students to earn rewards for reading books from different genres, fostering a more diverse reading experience.

For Your Homeschool:

1. Reading Logs and Reflection Journals:

   • Create reading logs for children to track the books they’re reading. Have them reflect on their reading experiences, including what they liked and learned from the books.

2. Reading Together Time:

   • Set aside time each day to read aloud to your child, modeling enthusiasm and the joy of reading while also fostering a close connection through shared stories.

3. Themed Reading Units:

   • Create thematic units where all the books for the week or month connect to a particular topic of interest. This deepens engagement and helps children see connections between books.

4. Library Visits:

   • Take regular trips to the library to explore different genres and help your child choose books that fit their interests.

5. Make Reading Social:

   • Encourage your child to share what they’ve read with family members or friends, creating opportunities for discussion and book recommendations.

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Other Books Like The Book Whisperer:

Reading in the Wild by Donalynn Miller

• Another book by Donalynn Miller, it provides additional insight into fostering independent reading and creating a lasting reading culture in children.

The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

• This book is a guide for parents and teachers on the importance of reading aloud to children, offering a wealth of strategies and book recommendations.

Reflect:

How have books bonded your family?

How have books bonded you with friends?