My Love of BOOKS!
I love the smell of new books! I also enjoy the sights and smells of being in a bookstore- so relaxing and full of possibility. A love of books has been a part of my life since I was a child.
I fell in love with 2 series of books as a kid:
My dad and mom would read to me nightly from one of these series of books. I loved the characters and store lines. Mr Bump, from the Mr. Men series, made me laugh the most- especially when my dad read it to me!
As I grew older I began to enjoy chapter books, especially the Babysitter Little Sister series. The font was larger and the chapters were shorter. Of course, I could relate to the main characters, where the original Babysitters Club series dealt with older girls and situations pertinent to their life.
I am hoping to instill the same love of books into my students. In fact, I have a special location for my Bernstein Bears books in my classroom library and students love to read them, especially knowing that they were my favorite childhood books. They treat them so nicely and eagerly attempt to read the 50+ books I have in stock. A few students even added to my collections for birthday, teacher appreciation or end-of-year gifts.
Getting lost in a book is what reading is all about. Today so much emphasis is on reading to take a test, versus reading to enjoy. As a reader, I appreciate creative authors that spin a story in a direction that keeps me on my toes. As a teacher, I appreciate books that teach children a lesson in an enjoyable way.
I encourage students to watch and read the Arthur and Franklin & Friends series because they are very similar to the Berenstain Bears books that I got them hooked on!
I hope all teachers can hook their students into reading for enjoyment so that they can not only educate themselves, but get lost in a world that does not require fancy, trend-setting technology. So much of what I have learned has come from my reading for enjoyment or purpose, rarely from reading to take a test. Get back to the foundation of why books were created and enjoy the simple activity of relaxing with a book in hand. Go escape today!
What series of books was your favorite as a child/adult?
What do your students love to read?
How do you encourage students to LOVE learning?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.
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