I can say that, today, one of my students saw the light. Fellow educators know this moment. It is the moment you hear a student verbalize what it is you have been trying to teach them. Time stands still for that moment, you breathe it in, let it fill your lungs and heart because this is the very moment that keeps teachers going. You also have to play it cool in front of your students so that you don't lose all credibility with them. Deep down, you want to run down the hallway and interrupt every class just to share the good news. Yes, it is that exciting!
Today, a student of mine said, "This book is so good! I just want to keep reading!" Another student replied, "Just wait, it gets better!"
This. This very conversation has been lacking from my classroom and many other ELA classrooms for too long. We have been treating all reading as literature, when in reality, sometimes reading is just reading. I'll say it until I am blue in the face, if students aren't reading then teaching the components of a well-written piece of literature will not matter. If we are to create life-long readers, they must first read. Then, and only then can they appreciate what they are reading as art.
What I find most exciting is that these students were talking about a book that is the first in a series of six books. These two students will most likely read SIX more books! If those numbers don't get us talking about reading, real reading...then what will?
This student was reading books at a 4th-5th grade complexity level - and that was a great place to start. But today, this student expressed enjoyment in a book that is on the high school reading level, and it is over 400 pages long. I asked him today how many books he read last year. ZERO. I appreciated his honesty so much because I knew he didn't want to say it out loud. I asked him how many books he has read this year; his response was 3-4. This. Is. Huge. People. Sometimes you have to allow students to start at a level that is comfortable, that holds no fear. Sometimes those are books that they have already read - it is comforting to visit a place near and dear to our hearts, even if we've already read it before. Sometimes we need to build up some self-esteem before students rise up to what they are truly capable of reading - so I ask what's wrong with graphic novels or free verse? Sometimes, those reading hearts in our classrooms are so defeated that they are afraid to start. But you've got to start somewhere because, eventually, they will see the light. This young man saw the light today, and I have no doubt that his future is going to be bright. My heart is singing for joy!
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| And in case you are curious, this is the book that has them hooked. |
