In reading Routman Chapters 1-3, I was struck by the idea that one way to bond with your students is to turn over some of the classroom set up to them. Just a few short months ago this would have seemed a little bit crazy to me. I looked at classrooms that were neat and done by teachers in awe. It was so nice, so organized, so neat. As I have worked in two placements and observed many classrooms over the past few months; I have found that classrooms can be organized and students can have a say. Routman tells the story of Jane Jones, a third grade teacher, " Allowing the children to reorganize our classroom library turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of the year. In fact, the hardest thing I had to do during the whole process was give up my adult preconception that i was the only one who could organize the library in a meaningful way. Through this experience my library truly became ours." (pg.17)
At my main placement, my master teacher lets the students organize the library. I was spending time the other day with my students while putting books away. They like that this is their job, and they discuss if they want to change things or keep it the same. All the students love to read in independent reading time and get books out of the library. They each have a basket of "just right" books at their desks. They do feel ownership of their classroom and their library. I have some preset images of how I would like to organize the library, but in the end, it would rob my students of their sense of purpose and engagement.
Routman speaks of sharing your reading life with your students in Chapter 3. I can see how this would be a great way to bond with your students and model a love of books. I have been in the same book club for the past ten years. We have read well over 100 books. I always have my book club books on my reading stand, my "just right" books, non-fiction books and books for teaching. I read newspapers, blogs, cookbooks, art books and gardening books. Routman says that " My reading life is a huge part of who I am, both as a literate person who is always seeking to learn more and a pleasure-seeking person who reads for fun, relaxation, and diversion. Reading is integral to my well-being. I deliberately use my influence as a teacher and role model to foster a love of reading."(pg. 23) I feel this is true for me also. I can see that by sharing your love of reading with your students, what you are currently reading and what you will read next; you share your life with them. I love the idea of a classroom book club and keeping a reading record of what we have all read so far. I also have enjoyed reading aloud to my students. I believe this is yet another way to share your joy of a favorite books with your students. I look forward to sharing the love of reading with my students this spring.
Look at Diane's blog Life is Good for more on classroom libraries.
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