The Book Whisperer - or is it a SHOUT?

Recently I began reading Donalyn Miller's, The Book Whisperer, Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child. Though I haven't finished it yet, I have truly been inspired by her method of teaching. Our ELA team has been talking about reading/writing workshop as the up and coming buzz words, and Donalyn shares her successes in a completely independent student-centered reading program. She claims that students have four needs as readers: role modeling, time to read, CHOICE, and access to books.

The first day of school every year she has what she labels a "book frenzy". Students spend as much time as needed pulling out books and getting opinions from Ms. Miller as well as other students. This activity emphasizes the prominence that reading will have all year in her classroom. It sets the tone for her class.

Not only that - her reading requirement for every student is to successfully read 40 books during the school year. That's right - no typo there - 40 books! Her concept - kids who read on a regular basis become better readers! Imagine that! Research shows that students in remedial settings read roughly 75% less than their peers. (Richard Allington, 2006). Just like the old saying, "the rich get richer while the poor get poorer"; so it is with our struggling readers.

Check her out on her blog - http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/book_whisperer/.