Read Along With Us?

Hi everyone!  Val here, checking in.

My boys & I are working through a new book - The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger.

Care to join us?  If you're into multitasking, this book may interest you because you can check off "read aloud" and "learn math" in one fell swoop.  If you want to know a little more about the book before you decide whether or not to dive into it, here's the Wikipedia link to it & here's the link to my blog post about this book.

I think this "mathematical adventure" is a pretty good one.  Would love it if you'd read it too & write in so we can talk books and math together!

Happy weekend & happy reading!

Day 19: Rainy Day Reading

So this week, it happened-- one of my favorite moments to share with my kids. It was a dark, cloudy, rainy day. One of those days where you have nothing else to do besides wanting to curl up and get lost in a good book while listening to the rain. Ok, so maybe I didn't have the whole 'nothing else to do' part going for me. I had a classroom full of 25 eager students to teach. But I also had the opportunity for a great moment to share with my class the excitement that readers can feel over the simple act of reading.

Our Current Class Read Aloud

Our class recently finished our last read aloud book (Jennifer Murdley's Toad by Bruce Coville) and voted on starting 39 Clues: Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan as our next read. (Secretly I was just as excited for their choice as they were because anyone who knows me well, knows about my undying love for all things 39 Clues.)

Well, we were just at the part in the book where Amy and Dan discover a narrow, dark passageway to a secret underground library at their grandmother's mansion.  The timing couldn't have been any better. What better way to read this chapter than to turn off all of the lights and sit in our very own narrow, dark library passageway in on our classroom while listening to the rain pour down outside?? 

I told the class that I was so excited about reading in the rain to them and explained how I love to turn off the lights on rainy days to set the scene for parts of the book just like this. Immediately, they were hooked (and also bummed that there was no way for us to make our room completely dark because of the emergency light near our classroom door).

Once Amy and Dan discovered the secret entrance to the library, I asked the students if they wanted to move to our secret library hallway. They all excitedly got up and we crowded together in the back of the room, squished in the space between our lockers and bookshelves to listen to the rest of the reading. Despite being cramped knee-to-knee on the floor, every student was sitting quietly and listening, hanging on Riordan's every word.
It was only a few brief minutes of reading huddled together like this, but it was a hit. The kids loved it and were so disappointed when it was time to stop reading and move on to science. They've even requested doing it again for read aloud every day this week since.

Our recreation of the class listening intently (unfortunately taken on a sunnier day).

Instead of just listening to me tell you about what they thought, here are some of their own words that they came up with together as a class to tell why they enjoyed this experience:

"Hi World! We liked reading this way because we were reading about a tunnel and it was like being in the tunnel because it was a dark and rainy day outside. Since we were all crowded together and it was dark it kinda felt like there was a whole bunch of creepy stuff around us. It felt like I was actually there. When we were back there, in the library area, it helped us to visualize how creepy it was to walk around down there."

I love sharing the excitement that readers can experience with my students by taking advantage of these little moments, like the joy of reading on a rainy day.

Now just keep your fingers crossed that clouds are in the forecast for the part where Amy and Dan venture down into the underground catacombs of Paris...

Happy Reading!

Day 21: Streak Update

I remember learning somewhere along my educational career that it takes sixty repetitions of doing something before it becomes a habit. While my reading streak with my son is nowhere near sixty days yet, I am starting to feel like we are falling into more of a routine with our reading.

Anytime we're sitting together and we have a free moment between playing or eating or rolling or eating or playing or (occasionally) napping, it is becoming more automatic for me to pick up a book, find a cozy spot, and curl up with my little man to read to him.

He's seeming to enjoy our reading experiences together more each day. While books are still a favorite chew toy for him, he likes to look at the pictures, grab at the fun extras (flaps, tags, finger puppets, etc.) that baby books are so lovingly known for, and cuddle up listening on my lap.

In My Patch by Sara Gillinghan, a current favorite because of the adorable mouse finger puppet.

In fact, the other day, out of his entire bag of toys, he reached in and grabbed a book. And while I'm almost positive (I'd be completely positive if it weren't for that tiny bit of wishful thinking) that this just happened to be pure coincidence because the book was near the top of the pile, it didn't make me love it any less.

Hope your reading promises are bringing you a smile each day. Please share! We'd love to hear.

Happy Reading!

Strategies to Keep the Streak Alive

Hi everyone!  This is Val from NYC again.  Today was day 80... wow, let me say that again... e_i_g_h_t_y... EIGHTY....80 of our family's reading streak!!  We started out on the first day of summer vacation with a goal to read every day of the break.  A week and a half ago, we met our summer's goal, celebrated over tea and scones, then reset the end date for our reading challenge.  Our new commitment is for me to read aloud to my boys for at least 10 minutes everyday for an entire year.

Definitely a daunting endeavor when I think of the 285 days of reading ahead of us.  Coupled with the busy school year, after school activities, chores, etc., just the idea of one more thing to do everyday can feel overwhelming.  So how are we fitting this one more thing into our everyday?

Here are our strategies for keeping our reading streak alive.

1. Make the commitment to read aloud everyday... or 5 days out of the week... or one book per month.  Whatever the decision, make a verbal and/or written commitment to do this.  If I had to decide each day whether or not to read, chances are I'd put off our reading time to the next day... when I have more energy... when they finish their homework... when there's not karate, piano, basketball, chess...  For us, no formal commitment would mean reading aloud only sporadically or not at all. 
2. Link reading time to something else that happens everyday.  During summer break, we read after breakfast.  Now that we're back in school, we try to read after dinner.  This works well because the kids eat much slower than I do.  Since I sit at the table with them until they finish their meals, reading aloud keeps me from digging into seconds and thirds and provides them with some food for thought.  What about bedtime reading?  If it works for you, go for it!  But I'm grumpy and tired by tuck in time.  The earlier in the day we can read, the cheerier and more patient I can be about it.
3. Designate a comfortable spot for read aloud times.  If we're only reading 10-15 minutes, we stay at the kitchen table.  If we're settling in for a long 45-60 minute reading session, we relocate to the living room couches.  I've noticed we are all able to focus best when we're in our designated reading spots.
4. Keep a selection of books on hand... because we're never sure what we'll be in the mood to read next.
5. Remember it might take a while to warm up to a story.  We've found it difficult to transition from one book to the next.  Sometimes it takes a few chapters before we settle into a new story. 
6. Leave yourselves the option to put a book down.  Our challenge is to read aloud everyday.  It's not to finish every book we start.  We have the option to choose not to complete a book if it's not working for us.
7. Weed out the competition.  By this, I mean that I limit the days and time that my kids can be plugged into electronics (TV, computer, 3DS, etc).  TV on weekends only means my reading to them is the only game in town most days of the week.
8. Be ready to improvise.  Some days are crazier than others.  If we're out and about all day then we just bring our book along & read wherever and whenever .  We've done our mandatory 10 minutes on the subway, sitting in the corner of Central Park (amidst pigeons and tourists), in airports, in the car and in restaurants.  Whatever works, right?

And that's it.  A few strategies and lots and lots of reading.  If you're thinking about starting your own reading streak, I hope our list is helpful to you.  If you have any suggestions or book recommendations for us, I'd love to hear from you!

6th Grade Reading Streak: Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada!

Our reading streak was inspired by the book "The Reading Promise."  Our whole class loves to read, it does not matter what book.
(Josh, Matthew & Jenna)

Our class loves to read, and since we love reading so much we set a goal.  Our goal is to read everyday for 100 days.  We are doing this because we want to build our stamina and become better readers.
(Zach, Jennaya & Kris)

Our class reading streak is to read every school day for 100 days.   If our teacher is away, a student volunteer will read.
(Taylor, Shelby & Andrew)

We are doing a reading streak, because we want to get inspired by the book.  We are reading "The One and Only Ivan."  It is about a silverback gorilla and his life in captivity.  It's based on a true story.
(Austin, Santana & Tapanga)

Happy Reading!
6th Grade Students from Mrs. Frederickson's Class at St. Henry's Senior High School
http://mrsfclass.blogspot.ca/ 

Resolution 25: Stop Preaching & Start Leading

On one of my most recent searches for other families taking on their own reading promises, I came across a post on the blog 52 Weeks, 52 Resolutions, 1 Mom by Momma Holmes. After contacting her about her reading promise journey, she agreed to submit a guest blogger post about how The Reading Promise has inspired her. Check out the unique twist that she has given her reading promise to share the love of reading with her sons.

Last winter, in a monthly newsletter from my son’s first grade teacher, she mentioned the book The Reading Promise and how it really brought home for her how important reading with your child can be. I immediately went online and reserved it at the library. 

After I read The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma, I felt that I needed to do something. The obvious choice would have been to make a reading promise with my boy. Nope. I was too chicken. I mean some days it just doesn't fit into our life. Excuses, I know. But I just wasn't there. 

However, instead, I took Resolution 25 (stop preaching and start leading) to heart and started a Summer Book Club. I invited friends from all areas of my life, old friends, school friends, church friends, neighbors, swim friends. They all have early independent readers... I decided this was the age when many parents stop reading to their children because the children are now reading to themselves. 

I invited A LOT because I was afraid to invite just a few and have no one show up. Or commit. And I was asking for a commitment: read to your child even though we are encouraging them to read by themselves. It was a good thing I invited many because I only got one family from each of those groups. Read aloud a book I've chosen, and then come to my house for discussion, movie watching and comparison, and snacks. 

If you ask them, they will come. They gathered for discussion and snacks and movie. It was fun! The friends of my son would gather in a circle and take turns answering questions as simple as, "Who are the main characters?" or "What is the setting?" as well as more complex questions such as, "How are the characters in both books similar or different? Why?" They didn't say, "Aren't we going to watch the movie?" rather they seemed to enjoy the discussion. Then, during the movie, I would stop/start it to discuss comparisons between the book and the movie, without a complaint! It was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. 

This summer our books were Winn Dixie and Tale of Despereaux, both by Kate DiCamillo, and James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. After watching James, the kids all asked what was next? I pointed out that we were already back in school and we might be too busy. It was unanimous... we are continuing through the school year. 

This month our choice is Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks and everyone in the group has ideas for what to read next, so now I will have to decide how to handle that because I LIKE CHOOSING THE BOOKS. 

So my promise to my son may not have been to read every day to him, but rather to continue to read to him. My promise was to encourage his friend's parents to continue reading to their now independent readers. My promise to read and lead has turned out to be so much fun! If you are interested in how to start your own group or are interested in discussing great reading options for your reader, please feel free to contact me through my blog. 

I am the author of the blog 52weeks52resolutions1mom.blogspot.com and mom to three young men, ages 7, 17 and 19. I am committed to raising the last son as “all in” as I was with the first two. Although I am no longer reading aloud to the oldest boys, I did convince them both to read for pleasure, and not only for school, during the summer. I consider that an accomplishment. I love reading and discussing books. In January, I pledged to do 52 realistic resolutions and not just one for the year. My blog details this journey and also the books I read along the way. 

Momma Holmes

What I Know to be True About Reading

At the beginning of every school year, I spend a lot of time with my students getting to know them as readers. It's important for me to understand their reading preferences, strengths, and goals, but it is important for them to do some reflection about themselves as readers.

One of the activities I have students complete is a list called 'What I Know To Be True About Reading.' This idea comes from Aimee Bucker's book, Notebook Connections: Strategies for the Reader's Notebook.

I start by sharing my list of truths about myself as a reader. Here are a few examples:

• I need to have a special place to curl up and read.
• I LOVE to read during thunderstorms.
• When I've finished a great book, I feel like I've lost a good friend.
• I believe that favorite books are meant to be read over and over again.
• Even though I know I shouldn't, I get really anxious during exciting parts in my book and skip over words to read more quickly and see what happens.

Then, I give students time to brainstorm their own personal truths. The ideas they come up with are always insightful and revealing. Here are some highlights from this year's reading truths:

• I love when my dad reads to me.
• I like to always have more books to read.
• I like books that challenge me. 
• I hate when I'm at the end and there's so much more to know.

Some kids share about the environment they like to have for reading:

• I like to read in privacy.
• I like to sit somewhere special when I read. 
• I need peace and quiet when I'm reading.

Others, about how it makes them feel:

• Reading calms me down. 
• I like reading when I'm sad. 
• When I read I feel calm but happy.

A few mention what they do after they've finished reading books:

• When I watch a movie related to my book it's never as good.
• I like telling my mom about good books.
• I like to share books that I have read to my mom and dad and my sister and brothers.
• When I finish a great book, I read it one more time.
• I like to write surveys about the book I've read.

Strengths and goals for improvement even come up!

• I read slow when I'm saying it out loud. I read fast when I say it in my brain.
• I like to have connections with the book.

Some make you chuckle:   

• I would read out loud but not when I'm reading a weird book. 

...and some are brutally honest:

• I think reading is boring on a nice day.
• Sorry, but I hate non-fiction books.

These reading truths can be a great way to begin your family's or classroom's reading promise. Learning about the children you are reading with is a great way to build a better connection with them and help to make your reading promise a fun and meaningful challenge. Try it out with your reader(s) today. Who knows what they might say. It just may surprise you...

Please share with us any of your reading truths or truths from your fellow reading promise readers. We'd love to hear!

Exciting News!

"It takes time to make magic happen." These wise words were given to me by author, Alice Ozma, during our emails back and forth after I finished reading her book. Immediately after I turned the last page, I knew I had to find a way for her to visit our school and spread her enthusiasm with Sinking Springs families.

Luckily, I am SO thrilled to say that the "magic" I was waiting for will finally be happening. Alice Ozma, author of The Reading Promise, will be visiting Central York School District on October 23rd!

Alice will be speaking with both students and families. During the day, she will be presenting to our fourth through sixth graders about reading. She will also have the opportunity to meet with a smaller group of students throughout the school who have a special interest in writing and aspire to be authors to chat with them about the writing process. In the evening, Alice will continue to spread her zest for reading by speaking with families. I cannot wait!

Central York families and local readers, to participate in this exciting opportunity to hear Alice speak and meet her during her book signing and photo time after her event, please visit the event registration page to register and find more information. Invite your families, friends, neighbors, and fellow readers. All are welcome to this event!

In the meantime, get excited and watch a preview of some of Alice's previous speaking engagements at San Diego public library and hear what others have to say about her work:

Day 13: Already? Really?

So I had considered the possibility of this happening, I just hadn't considered it happening so soon.

I debated writing a post about this for a few days now. I was so embarrassed! But then I realized that I have to. It is all a part of the process.

If I want the other families of the Reading Promise Project to feel comfortable sharing their successes and failures, I have an obligation to share mine.

So with that being said, I have to let you know that my first official reading streak with my son has already been broken. After 13 days. (Kinda makes you better appreciate Alice and her father's 3,218 night record.) Sigh. 13 days. Really?? Really.

Source: http://www.go4prophotos.com

I couldn't quite believe it myself. I thought we could at least make it two weeks. Two weeks. Come on! Then, it happened. It was a normal weekend day, just like any other. We didn't do anything exceptionally special or out of the ordinary. I have no good excuse to give you. Yet somehow, our daily reading slipped by us. Until about an hour after I put my son to bed and a sudden nagging realization hit me. Uh oh.....And since I am a strict believer in letting sleeping (and teething) babies lie, I decided waking him up to continue the streak would not be an option. So I accepted defeat... this time.

But no worries. Missing a day isn't the end of our reading together. A setback? Yes. A deal breaker? Definitely not. Life happens. One day was missed, and I'm sure there will be more will be in the future. But the shared joy of reading is something that still will continue with our family. In fact, we're already three days into our next streak. Let the reading begin (again)!