Jessa Gansberg: Blog 2

Wild reading… It’s a concept that isn’t new in anyway, yet it’s something that I think the majority of people either struggle with or make excuses for it.  Miller has sparked my interest in many ways and has actually made me read so much more than normal in this week alone. I’ve learned reading at stop lights can be a dangerous idea;) I practiced “reading emergencies” and brought my book whenever I went to a grocery store or anything. Then, forgot it when I was in the car for at least three hours this weekend… Anyway, Miller has already started to improve my own reading commitments, even further than through my future classroom.

My favorite ideas that I took away from her book was when she stated that we can’t expect parents to make their kids read, when teachers don’t allow time in the classroom to read. I love that she has her kids bring a book everyday to class. I’d like to take that idea and just make enough time in class to read ANYTHING. I think even in older grades, if a student only had time to grab their little sister’s picture book out the door, that is satisfying enough because they are reading SOMETHING.  Reading doesn’t always have to do with the skill level, but just the fact that they are getting lost in a book and reading something.  I also loved Miller’s explanation that reading can be practiced just like any other sport, musical instrument, etc… I think most people have the impression, including me, that once you learn how to read once that’s it.  I realized this week that reading can be improved at any level.  This week I have been getting faster just by practice.  The concepts one receives from the text and the ideas they take from it can always be improved as well.

Something that has began to worry me a little is recommendations for my future students.  I’ve realized that all I read in my childhood was animal books, specifically about horses… and then later, only Nicholas Sparks’ books.  It’s going to be hard to recommend books to my little boys!  But I can start to improve that now and get on with knowing more about a wide range of children’s’ books.  I’m starting this new trend by reading The Lightening Thief for class;) I’m so thrilled and excited to be teaching reading in my classroom.  It’s all I could talk about to my mom this weekend, who teaches kindergarten.