Reading for Pleasure Puts Kids Ahead in the Classroom

These two kindergarten students are exerting their power of choice to read before the school day begins. My school keeps book boxes outside of each classroom in the mornings for free choice pleasure reading.

This morning one of my #PLN members (personal learning network) sent out this tweet which caught my interest so I clicked on the link and read.

Reading for pleasure puts children ahead in the classroom, study finds http://t.co/pgfHOM3QEH via @zite #mcsdTILT
— Jay Posick (@posickj) September 12, 2013

The data was gleaned from a longitudinal study that began with 6,000 children by the 1970 British Cohort Study and is believed to be the first to examine the effect of reading for pleasure on cognitive development over time. You, of course, have already guess the results. Reading for pleasure aids in academic success in the classroom. The most wonderful thing I took away from this article was that this group of children who read for pleasure and increased their academic success are now older with children or even grandchildren of their own. This means they are influencing a new generation of readers and beyond. In summary, encouraging children to read for pleasure will aid their success in school.

How can we encourage children to read for pleasure? We give them: 

The Power of Choice

Any person with a brain in their head knows that you can't force a person to read and simple love it. The intrinsic value found in reading has to come from within. The connection that a reader finds in a particular character or topic is what will drive their level of passion to read.

Pleasure Reading

I have pushed hard in my school for encouraging the library to become the place where students and their families may select books for the purpose of pleasure reading. A place to find and read high quality fiction for the sake of how a good story makes a person think and feel. A place to find resources and "how to" books to begin learning something new and interesting. A place to discover information about plants, animals, machines, space, and people who have made their mark on the world. A place where the book collection is carefully cultivated to fit the needs of the school's population and manged by a librarian who cares deeply about providing the highest quality resources for school and home use.
A place where kids and families can explore, discover, and revel in literature that expands their hearts and their minds.A place to feel inspired, invigorated, appreciated, and joyful knowing that whatever you choose to read is accepted and respected.

The Power of Choice is my library motto. This video clip of Mel Gibson from Braveheart sums it up well for me. Think of all the people over the course of history who have fought and died simply for our right to embrace the freedom to have access to literature and learning. I, for one, am most grateful.

Freedom

Freedom!



Braveheart
— MOVIECLIPS.com

Here's hoping your day will be lovely and full of new adventures.

Dots, Dots, Everywhere Dots! Getting Ready for Dot Day 2013 #IMWAYR 9-9-2013

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it at Teach Mentor Texts. 

Sure I read a few books this week, but the only one I am talking about today on #IMWAYR is 
The Dot by Peter Reynolds. I read this book to every class and they all loved it. We had a small Dot Day Celebration last year but this year we are doing it up big time.

I met with our new art teacher who was very intrigued by the idea and immediately agreed to collaborate with me. She is teaching students the art technique of Pointillism. Every grade level will approach their dot projects a little differently. For example, three year old PK students will be adding dots to a Pete the Cat page. Older grades will create a in depth project consisting only of dots to create an image of an object or person. We liked the part of the story when Vashti's dots were featured in a school art gallery so our Fifth and Sixth graders will be in charge of setting up our very own "Dot" Gallery to display ECDC students' works of art.



Most kids found this dot fascinating. I think they might decide to try their arts skills at a "dot without making a dot"

Do The DOT!

Peter Reynolds shares The Dot book related activities

Be inspired by the gorgeous Dots at Celebri-Dot

This website features dots created by authors and illustrators. It is remarkable to see the originality and personality in each dot. These dots are good examples for students to see and begin to come up with their own creative dots. 


We really liked this Celebri-Dot  by Cynthia Lord. Her book Rules is one of our favorites. 

If you want to see more amazingly creative Celebri-Dots, click here

Mr. Bones is ready for Dot Day!

 

It's not too late to sign up for Dot Day 2013! You can sign up HERE


Check out my International Dot Day Pinterest Board
I have had a lot of fun collecting resources for Dot Day and saving them to my Pinterest Board. (love Pinterest almost as much as I love Twitter).






Pointillism

This beautiful example of Pointillism art "Touch the Sun" was created by Hungarian artist Sakura Chrno 

Pointillism: 15 striking examples of dot art 

I am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful dots created by our students but I needed to learn a little bit more about Pointillism too. This is what helped me a lot.  Click HERE

Mr. P Studio demonstrates Pointillism, Great idea for Dot Day using paint and Q-Tips.

Here is a very nice Pinterest Board "Pointillism for Kids"

Pointillism technique using pencils as stampers from Classic Play

Good-bye my Angel Boy!

This week, I plan on reading lots and lots of pictures books to my grandson who is moving away to Tennessee. The choice of books will be his to make. How will I ever survive without my little angel boy? My heart is broken. I will make sure to become his new school's best book donor and send a new book or two each month on his behalf. Hopefully that will make his transition a little easier and maybe he won't forget his BB (Best Buddy). 

Mr. Bones Shares Books #IMWAYR September 2, 2013

 It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it at Teach Mentor Texts. 

The timer is set for 45 minutes. As my days get fuller and jam packed, I find that setting a timer helps me stay on track PLUS I love to compete against myself. Oh, the little thrills in life. 

 Here is a cool time keepping tool you can  download 
 Scholastic Reading Timer









 What I am reading electronically:

I would read this faster but I have to compete with the 3 year-old for use of my Ipad. It's that face and the "May I use the Ipad, please? I want to learn too" The kid is a genius at manipulation using a smile and those nice manners.

Maggie Stiefvater: The Dream Thieves

I have been getting nervous about things that can escape from our dreams but that's all I can say about it without revealing anything. Like all of Maggie's books, it's a good read and her personality shows through in all the car references and interest in things Celtic. I also learned that there is a possible anti-laser paint that can be added to a car's paint job or headlights to help avoid speeding tickets. I, of course, am like that older person who wears those large, heavy, dark sun shades that drives 20 in a 35 mile per hour zone. Please note that I also never make left turns if it can be avoided. Maggie would plow me over in her Camero.

What I am Reading at School

Since I am pouting about having to report to work on Labor Day, I am going to ask my colleague, Mr. Bones, aka the ECDC Library Watch Dog to take over for me and share what we read to students this week. (Mr. Bones on Twitter @BonesBooks)
Mr. Bones will be sharing all the happenings in our school library on Twitter as a way to keep our families updated.

PK 3 year-olds really loved this one: 
Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed.

Kinder-2nd
What Happened to Marion's Book
I love to use this for teaching about good book care. If you don't have it, good luck. It appears to be out of print. I have great resources for this book including our example of a Book Hospital.

PK, Kinder, and First also listened to these books about Library manners and the care of library books.

Wild About Books by Judy Sierra. All other grade levels (even 6th graders) were treated to this picture book about a librarian who introduces animals to reading and a love of books. 

 Mr. Bones caught these kiddos reading in the hallway before school. Way to go, guys!

Time is running out! Only 15 minutes to go because Mr. Bones and I get too easily distracted.

Greg Heffley revealed a secret to Mr. Bones but the kids overheard them whispering. A new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book will be released November 15, 2013! We can pre-order it at our upcoming October book fair! Happy cheers were heard for miles!







Hard Luck
by Jeff Kinney











We love this resource! Jeff Kinney's Cartoon Class: How to Draw Greg Heffley

Ms. Murphy also re-read The Dot by Peter Reynolds at home this week to brush up and get ready for our upcoming Dot Day Celebrations. 

Look how this clever Kindergarten class created their own interpretation of The Dot.  Love it!

...and that's time up! Here is the same timer that I was using. I ordered it though the Scholastic Resource catalog using Scholastic dollars. It has come in handy for many library activities.