In my quest to highlight the importance of literacy at my middle school, I have been trying to practice what I preach. I have been talking to just about everyone about the value of reading. I am letting my teachers know it is O.K. to allow students to read in class (see last post). I am also encouraging the teachers to read and talk to the kids about what they are reading.
I gave each teacher a book list to post in their classroom, visible to the students. I have challenged them to read at least 25 books. I want the student’s to see that we all value the power of reading. I also have the same book list posted outside my office door in the main office. I have currently read 21 books since the start of the year. Here is what appears on my list to date ( I may miss a few since the list is back at school and we are on break!):
2. The Book Whisperer
3. Readicide
4. Hunger Games
5. Work Hard. Be Nice.
6. Subject Matters
7. Get in the Game
8. Super Freakanomics
9. Outliers
10. Working With Teachers
11. Teaching Outside the Box
12. Teaching Outrageously
13. Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?
14. Becoming a Literacy Leader
15. The Power of Team Work
16. Disrupting Class
17. The Hair Raising Joys of Raising Boys
18. No More Dead Dogs
19. Heat by Mike Lupica
20. 33 year old Rookie
21. Free Money
These books are in addition to all of the great blogs and magazines I am constantly reading. My goal this year is going to be 50 books by the end of the school year. I think I have a good mix of professional and personal selections. I know I need to read more of the books my students are reading, especially the girls. I want to e able to talk about the books they are reading. I have read several of the books the male students are reading, but I know I need to expand my horizons.
What books are you reading? What books have I missed that are must reads?
Comments
21st Century Skills by Bernie Trillane & Charles Fadel – Got this title at the SLJ Leadership Summit this past October in Washington, DC. I just have not had time to read it. It promises to be an engaging and conversational style read, so maybe I should go for this one first (though I’ve already started the title above here.)
Can’t wait to see what others suggest.
I love that you make your reading visible to your staff and student body! What a powerful message to them that literacy matters. I might suggest to you: WRITE BESIDE THEM and THE READING ZONE for professional books. I think your staff is lucky to have such a forward thinking leader!
Thank you both for your comments. I am trying to keep reading up front!
Thanks for sharing. You must feel so proud of your students and what you are accomplishing!
