Igniting a Passion For Reading
Successful Strategies for Building Lifetime Readers
by Steven L. Layne
This book's goal is to get kids to enjoy reading. As a teacher that loves to read, I sometimes struggle to understand why kids who can read don't. According to Layne it's because they don't think reading is fun. Igniting a Passion for Reading provides teachers with strategies to help students see that reading is fun.
The book follows a three part format:
- A famous author discusses a teacher that inspired them to read
- The chapter
- From the trenches: Layne tells us about one of his teaching experiences
The book also contains very useful appendixes. I felt the chapters were the best part, so I'm going to give a brief overview of each one.
Chapter 1 sets the tone for the entire book and discusses how we need to help aliterate readers: students who can read but choose not to.
After reading this chapter, I've decided to change my book requirement, based on The Book Whisperer, for the second marking period. I'm still going to challenge each child to read eight books but I'm going to loosen up on the specific genres. I'm going to require two chapter books, one picture book, and one non-fiction book. Students can fill the other four required books with chapter books or non-fiction. I won't specify any genres. I think allowing more choice will ignite more passion for independent reading.
Chapter 2 addresses the need to get to know your readers because if you know what they like, you can help them to choose books. The chapter contains examples of interest inventories that teachers may use.
Chapter 3 presents the importance of teachers reading books appropriate for their students and then sharing them with students using book chats. Book chats are "ads" meant to get kids so excited about books that they decide to read them too. Layne provides a format for doing book chats but I really believe each teacher needs to develop their own format that matches their unique voice.
Chapter 4 extols the benefits of read aloud. Read aloud can be used to expose students to a variety of genres and authors while being fun. Instead of exposing students to genres by requiring them to read them independently, I will expose them to genres through my read aloud books. Teachers are using read aloud to advertise different genres and authors, and hopefully inspiring students to try them out on their own.
Chapter 5 demands that teacher demonstrate they are readers to children. It doesn't ask you to read in class, but asks you to share with students what you are reading by filling out a reading log. Students will often want to read what you are reading, so once again the teacher is doing another form of advertising
Chapter 6 provides possible ways to have students discuss books. My favorite is Buzz about Books. In this activity students meet in small groups and share what book they are currently reading. Each meeting has a focus question. Layne provides numerous potential focus questions. Status of the class is also discussed. Both activities are really ways for students to advertise books to other students.
Chapter 7 is about creating a reading lounge. I skimmed this chapter.
Chapter 8 discusses the many ways we can celebrate books. The golden recommendation shelf, read around, and picture book of the month. Once again, advertising books is the theme of the chapter.
Chapter 9 teaches how to organize an author visit. I didn't even skim this chapter. I simply skipped it.
Chapter 10 provides a model for how to implement Layne's ideas into your classroom.
I loved this book. While I need to reread The Book Whisperer, which I also loved, at this time I think Igniting a Passion for Readers was the better book of the two. Its message will help more teachers get children to read well. In appreciation to Steven L. Layne, this blog was my advertisement for it.
Published: 2007
