Welcome to our book study on Pam Allyn and Ernest Morrell's, Every Child A Super Reader. Educators in the state of Pennsylvania can earn Act 48 hours (continuing education hours) for successful completion of the book study. Act 48 hours are not awarded for time spent reading the text, but rather thoughtful consideration of the content read, posts in response to the questions, and comments to other participants' posts. Successful completion of the book study is defined as independent reading of the text and posting a least one comment to each blog post during the course of the study. If you are interested in signing up to receive emails when new blog posts are posted and/or wish to receive Act 48 hours for participation click here. We hope you will join us for this exciting way to interact about Every Child A Super Reader.
Our first host is Michael Williams, a second grade teacher from Harrisburg, PA. Michael writes: The first section of the book is a basic introduction to what explain the need for this type of book. It also gives a brief snapshot of how the book is organized. After reading the introduction I felt empowered. It left me with a sense of urgency to read more! The research presented in the introduction clearly demonstrates the need to raise readers that will have a love of reading and empower them become "super" readers. Chapter 1 focused on how reading can open possibilities for every child. A "super reader" was defined as "a child who enters a text with a purpose." I was expecting something much more elaborate, but after thoughtful reflection, it makes perfect sense. Adults don't read a text unless there is a purpose to do so. The students in my class choose books based on what they like and enjoy reading. The text level doesn't matter to them. They will find a way to read and understand the text because they want to read the book. Allyn and Morrell discussed that super reading leads to high achievement, builds empathy, builds sense of self/emotional resilience, and prepare them for the future. In today's society, this is what children need to be successful in life after school. Finally, 10 basic principles of raising super readers were shared. My two favorite principles were: #5 Super readers have access to many kinds of texts #7 Super readers need "reading role models." These two principles resonated with me since I feel it is very important to read in front of my students and I like to try to expose them to many kinds of texts. For some of our students, the teacher may be the only adult they ever will see that reads a book. What principles were of most interest to you? Why do you think you were drawn to them? Have fun reading Chapter 1! I cant' wait to hear your thoughts! Mike Williams
18 Comments
Anne
11/5/2017 06:54:05 pm
Principle #2: Super readers have a strong foundation in oral language. It is so evident when you have a conversation with an articulate, interesting person, that they are well-read, have been read to and privileged to lots of rich conversation.
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Michael Williams
11/5/2017 07:07:18 pm
Anne - There is so much research out there to support the principle of developing a child's oral language. In our society today, it is very easy to have children spend increasingly more time in front of a screen. Conversation skills, especially about books, is "super" important.
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Emily Gainor
11/6/2017 02:19:00 am
I couldn't agree more. I'm finding that some students really don't know how to communicate with one another due to so much time spent looking at a screen. Let's get kids reading more books so they have exposure to great dialogue, robust vocabulary, and get a general picture of how words work together to create meaning. And, Mike, YES! It's crucial to have kids talking about what they're reading, facilitated or otherwise. Reading is so important for developing our oral language!
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Anne
11/7/2017 12:12:44 pm
While I absolutely agree that screen time is eroding the quality of verbal communication, I think we all need to be cognizant of the amount of quality talk our children of all ages are engaged in, everywhere from the kitchen table to the science classroom.
Lisa
11/7/2017 04:27:17 pm
My favorite principle was #1 Super readers learn to read by reading interactively. I think I was drawn to this principle because of its highlighting that "everything builds on itself." I specifically underlined adult reading to the child, working with phonics, school instruction, conversation, and daily practice. I just felt that this principle connected with me the best, as I often preach the idea that reading is a difficult process and requires students to do SO MUCH at one time!
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Christine
11/11/2017 11:32:41 am
Lisa, we are on the same page with our favorite principles. I couldn't agree with you more.
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Ashley
11/8/2017 06:17:35 pm
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Jennifer
11/14/2017 04:09:14 am
I also really loved the part about a strong foundation in oral language. This is one of my favorite parts of the PA Comprehensive Literacy Plan as well - the focus on oral language from K-12th grade.
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Emily
11/11/2017 05:18:59 am
As I was reading this first chapter, I couldn't help but reflect on my own reading journey. As a young child, I was encouraged by everyone around me to read voraciously the books that were of interest to me. To this day, if I am going to choose a book, I will choose fiction without a doubt. Like the text has suggested, fiction has taken me to faraway places that I have never been. It has introduced me to people (characters) who've become friends in my mind, even though I have never met them. And most importantly, reading fiction has taught me to have empathy for others. I love that! In a sometimes negative world, as teachers and parents, we have a pivotal role in teaching and modeling for our kids how to have empathy for one another and I can think of so many fictional books that can be used as an avenue for teaching this all important life skill.
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Christine
11/11/2017 11:31:14 am
The two principles that I really connected with as I read. The firs was #1 - reading interactively. This year at my middle school we have adopted the motto, "read with a pen in hand" in all subject areas. I feel it is so important for students to jot down their ideas as they read as well as mark up the text. This allows students to see how their theories evolve and it provides them with talking points for discussion. I have also noticed students can explain why they are thinking certain things in a more clear manner when they read interactively.
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Laura
11/12/2017 04:23:08 pm
Principles #7 and #8 resonated with me the most. Principle #7: Super reader need reading role models. Students will model their parents and teachers. It is so beneficial to watch mom or dad read a book for pleasure, read the newspaper for information, read a magazine or journal to keep up to date. Teachers also do this with reading aloud sessions and other daily activities. Principle #8: Super readers thrive in a collaborative community of readers. What is one my favorite things to do when I have time? Meet with my book club and talk to old friends about books that we have read. I would love to see this happen for my own children and the students that I work with.
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Jennifer
11/14/2017 04:07:14 am
My favorite was Principle #6: Super readers need the freedom to make choices about what they read. At the last several NCTE and ILA conferences I've attended, this has been a big theme. Requiring students to read "at their level" all day, every day is not best practice. Working with children at the upper edge of their ZPD during instructional or guided reading is the perfect place to work with difficult texts. I rarely read "at my level" - do you?
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Mea
11/14/2017 02:47:04 pm
I was specifically drawn to principle #6 Super readers need the freedom to make choices about what they read. I highlighted "choice is inherently connected to engagement" because I have found this to be so true with my readers. Allowing choice lets the students know that what they want to read matters. It motivates them to read because it was their choice. They take ownership.
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Marge
11/19/2017 06:11:46 pm
Principle 6 has a strong meaning for me. If we want every child to be a super reader, we need to give them every opportunity to become super readers. If a child can choose books they like and feel they are able to read, it could keep them interested in reading. As long as the book has appropriate content for the age of the child, they should be given the chance to read it. Keeping children interested in reading enhances their imagination, learning and growing. I have experienced how limiting the book choices can have a negative effect on students. A few years ago, our school had a reading program that limited the students’ choices of books. They were only allowed to pick books 1 level below, 1 level above and on their reading level. They were forced to read quietly for 30 minutes in school and 30 minutes at home every day. I could see the students beginning to hate reading. Another experience was when my now 24 year old son was in kindergarten. He was reading on a 1st-2nd grade level. Every time he picked up a book his teacher felt was on a higher level than he should be reading, she yanked the book out of his hand. Even with my intervening she insisted on continuing this practice. Since he was told there was no way he could read and understand the book, he has hated reading.
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Megan
11/26/2017 05:56:25 pm
I completely agree with your comments about student choice. I have seen students read books that should have been much too challenging for them. Because they were truly interested in the material, they worked their way through it and were motivated to read the book. Helping students find books that they are interested in, and not discouraging students when they do, is essential to helping students become super readers.
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Megan
11/26/2017 05:53:26 pm
The principle that I really connected with was Principle 9: Super readers develop the strengths and skills to read by spending time reading independently. So often in school we try to cut independent reading. There is such a push to accomplish so much that we have to cut some things and independent reading often becomes the first to go.
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Gretchen
11/26/2017 07:06:21 pm
I agree with many others that the principle that stands out to me is #6 - choice. While it is important for students to read at their levels, a true love for reading comes from reading things they choose, which may or may not be at their level. If there is a book or topic that interests a child, he/she will be motivated to read about it.
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Emily Reed
12/26/2017 07:22:59 pm
The principle that spoke to me most was Principle #8.
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