Gettin’ Wild With Donalyn Miller

The first and most pertinent take aware I have found with beginning this book would be that reading is beneficial in all aspects of life. Reading is a concept that has been convoluted in the education system by required readings, unrecognized fake readers, and lack of student choice in reading material. Miller presents strong arguments for reading in the introduction alone. Through different exemplary statements she mentions that readers are more likely to get into college, be more successful in the work force and that simply all others are benefitted when more people read.

I found my high-school-self identifying with the fake reader in the first chapter which was challenging for me as someone who wishes to be a future educator and help my students stray from fake reading. I considered the fact that in order to teach one to read and be a ‘reader’ on must model those same reading habits. However, I sat back to reflect on how much reading knowledge has improved academic, professional and social experiences. This is something that came with higher-level education and may have taken me longer to realize. However, in concurrence with Miller’s argument, I believe it that we can instill these beneficial reading habits in our classrooms for students to take hold and further better their career.