Have You Read . . .

Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller. "When we promote books to children and share our reading lives with them, we offer more than another great book recommendation or reading cheerleader: we invite them into a society that reveres reading and readers. Society benefits when more people read, but we have to show that our culture values it." Donalyn Miller -Reading in the Wild

Reading in the Wild is the follow-up to Donalyn Miller's The Book Whisperer. In this book, Miller digs deeper into how to build lifelong readers. It’s not just about getting kids to read, but about creating an environment where reading becomes something they want to do on their own. Miller shares strategies for encouraging kids to read more, choose books that matter to them, and develop habits that will stick long after they leave the classroom. The key idea? Make reading feel natural and enjoyable, like something that’s just part of life.

“If we want children to love reading, we must give them time to read, space to choose their books, and the support they need to become confident readers.” - Donalyn Miller

For the Classroom:

1. Personalized Reading Time:

   • Allow students to set their own reading goals and choose books that match their personal interests and reading levels. Check in regularly to discuss their progress and help them set new goals.

2. Reading Buddies Program:

   • Pair up older and younger students for reading sessions. This gives the older students a chance to mentor and encourages the younger ones to see reading as something fun and valuable.

3. Genre Exploration Stations:

   • Set up different “stations” in the classroom where students can explore different genres, like mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, or biography. Let them rotate and read a sample from each station to spark new interests.

4. Author Study Projects:

   • Have students select an author they like and research more of their books. They can present to the class about the author’s life and other books they’ve written, fostering deeper connections with their favorite authors.

5. Independent Book Projects:

   • Instead of traditional book reports, encourage students to create projects based on books they’ve read. These could include making book trailers, writing letters to the characters, or designing a “What’s Next” continuation of the story.

For Your Homeschool:

1. Reading Adventures at Home:

   • Set up a “reading adventure” where your child has to read a certain number of books to earn rewards or unlock fun experiences (e.g., a trip to the zoo, baking together, etc.). This turns reading into a fun quest.

2. Theme-Based Reading Weeks:

   • Choose a theme for a week and have your child read books around that topic. For example, a “space week” could include reading about planets, astronauts, and fictional stories set in space.

3. Reading and Crafting:

   • After finishing a book, engage in a related craft project. For instance, after reading a book about animals, your child could create a scrapbook or a diorama of the animals in the book.

4. Storytelling Time:

   • Let your child practice storytelling by reading books and then telling you their own version of the story afterward. This builds comprehension and confidence, and it's a great way to connect with the material.

5. Reading Scavenger Hunts:

   • Create a reading scavenger hunt. Give your child a list of things to find or questions to answer while reading a book (e.g., “Find a character who is kind,” “What happens at the end?”). This makes reading interactive and fun.

Reflect:

What is the benefit does reading have on society?

What benefit does reading have in your home?