Building a Community of Readers

Goal & Big Question

• Goal: Model and apply a process for facilitating conversations around reading.
• Big Question: How do we build a community of readers?

I believe when you teach you teach a work of fiction, you should not bring the baggage the comes with it. You should not fill the minds of students with background material. Let students first connect with the book. If that connection is negative, even if they hate it - that reaction belongs to them. -Azar Nafisi

Untitled Slide

Question: What are the promises and challenges of student-led book clubs?

Example: Regie Routman in Residence

Guided Practice

• Get together in self-selected groups.
• Participate in a conversation about your reading.
• Jot down notes as you talk about the topic and the experience.

Questions for Reflection

• What went well in your discussion today? Why?
• What was a challenge? Why?
• What can you apply from today's activity to your context?

We should take seriously the fact that the adult is not the only teacher in the room. - Peter Johnston

Try it and Apply it

• Write out a lesson plan with the OLM in mind that incorporates authentic student conversation around reading.
• After teaching a lesson that incorporates authentic student conversation around reading, reflect on how it went with the OLM in mind.