It seems as though the focus has changed in education. It has become not who a student is, but what
they know- especially on state or national assessments. The pressure put on students, teachers and
schools is immense. Somehow, as a
society, we have reduced our students to a list of numbers on a print-out.
I am a self-proclaimed, data-geek. I love statistics, numbers, assessments, and
debating if homework should count for grades and if a zero should ever be given
on an assignment. I also find that many
schools have lost sight of powerful practices because of a focus on these
numbers. NUMBERS ARE IMPORTANT! The problem is in the pathway to growth and
achievement numbers. Achievement on assessments reflects mastery
of information. Mastery of information
is best found in inquisitive students, those students who thirst to learn more,
who seek out answers on their own, who seem to soak up knowledge, the ones who
started asking “why” as a three year old and have never stopped.
One of the research-shown links to math achievement that we
forget about is that students who read for fun have higher math achievement
scores. And, in fact, to even take a
math test, a student needs to be able to read with a level of comfort that
comprehension is possible.
This is why we have two libraries, so students can access
books on their level. This is why we
have blocks each week where students not only check out books, but also are read
to out loud. We are aware, like every
other school in the nation, that our reading scores soar about our math
scores. We are proud of our high achievement in reading, and know
that by continuing to foster reading, we will see our math scores grow. We are not diverting resources or focus off
of our reading curriculum. Our
libraries are bustling grounds where there are wait lists for books. Students even through our middle school spend
time each day reading a choice book quietly.
This is our culture. This is who
we are.
In Donalyn Miller’s books “The Book Whisperer” and her newly
released “Reading in the Wild,” she talked about the power of a culture where
reading is key. We have our teacher’s
books they are reading posted in our faculty lounge. We have a summer reading program as a part of
our professional development. Most
importantly, we read. We share our
books, from adult to young adult to children’s, from novels to education
books. We are a culture that reads and
we love to share it.
As a parent, make sure you are practicing what we
preach. Pick up a book. Read aloud to your child, no matter how young
or old they are. Go to the library. Go meet authors. Write or tweet or email authors when you
children ask questions about a book that you don’t know about. Ask their teacher or librarian what books
they may want for Christmas or a birthday.
Read a book yourself. Share with
your child, at an appropriate level, what you have learned, or why you like
that author or genre. Sign up for GoodReads.com and share what you’re
reading, and see what other friends are reading, too.
There is a lot of pressure in today’s society. From rush hour, to achievement scores, to
bedtime, we are always “under the gun.”
Make sure you take time to do one of the most important things to help
your child succeed: Read.
Suggested Reading for
Parents:
The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
What to Read When by Pam Allyn
Best Books for Boys by Pam Allyn
Suggested Reading for
Teachers:
The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller
Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller
Time to Teach, Time to Learn by Chip Wood
