The #2PencilChat is a weekly conversation about educational technology. As we enter a more student-centered age, let's talk about using all the tools in our toolboxes to be innovative and dynamic teachers.
Hi folks and welcome to #2PencilChat - @MagicPantsJones has generously given me the hour to talking reading! I'm Marifran, hs #librarian from NY & every book I read is my new favorite - what's yours?
Hi- Letha from Quebec- hard to narrow it down- but "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" is one of my all-time favourites- and for my Grade 1/2 students- the latest favourite is "The Bad Seed" #2pencilchat
I is written much better than the movies (although - I hate to say - Tolkien does not write women well - he tried but it's obvious he doesn't know much about them) #2pencilchat
Hi Letha! I did the audio of Oscar Wao and had to pull over from emotion from time to time - #audiobooks do complicate motor vehicle operation at times #2pencilchat
A1) Most of my reading comes from what my mind is craving to find out more about right then, which changes constantly. I do pay attention to what my good twitter friends are recommending #2PencilChat
Yes the Hobbit was aimed at younger readers. LoTR has way too much character development, especially for characters that you meet for 5 minutes. And then Arwen - she just appears out of nowhere and marries Aragorn #2pencilchat
Oh yeah and I often read what my students are having to read as texts. then I interweave maths or science questions around the characters and issues #2PencilChat
A1:@MrSchuReads is my first resource, A Year of Reading, The Nerdy Book Club blogs and regular visits to the public library to see what’s new. Twitter, @ncte, too. #2pencilchat
I keep trying to sell this to US young adults but read John Marsden's Tomorrow When the War Began.
We did it as Year 9 text and kids really related to it, while adults went, yeah that could happen #2PencilChat
Early on the movie made some changes for the better. Characters you only met for a page were replaced by others to develop them. But yeah the ending was spoilt and the story lost #2pencilchat
A2:I do not, but feel like it’s something I should consider. My biggest challenge right now is sticking to my resolution to get books from library before buying. #2PencilChat
Yes it would be just the age for the Arwen's to appear. #2pencilchat.
You had to be here in early 2000s when every second girl was called Kylie after Kylie Minogue
I need to follow that library before buying advice. Unfortunately, my library (public and school) don't have all the books I want to read. #2pencilchat
A2 I create reading challenges for my students, like “Read a multiple narrator novel,” or “Read two books by the same author but not in the same series,” or “Read a book set in NYC.” Trying to stretch them beyond their reading comfort zones.
#2pencilchat
A2) I don’t, I guess it goes back to my childhood... timed reading(?) I get more focused on competition (timer) than the actual book/story. I love to read, @ my pace, & really savor the story/reading #whatstherush#2pencilchat
A2 I started with 60 books in 2016. Ended up reading 90 something. Last year I read 110. I worked really hard and enjoyed every minute of it. #2PencilChat
In my part of suburban Australia she is our greatest export... probably our only export although the Hemsworth's are about an hour south of here #2pencilchat
Firm believer that reading should be routine. Not a fan of incentives. Trying to spread the joy of reading and discussing books (and life). #2pencilchat
A2a- I have really moved away from incentivizing/rewarding reading- we talk about its intrinsic benefits - how do we feel when we read or when we are read to- how the world opens up for us- and we share our love for stories- that is the reward #2pencilchat
Last year we did Folktales from around the world, learned about country origin & compared/contrasted similar stories(ton of global Cinderella stories), great way to incorporate global community #2PencilChat
@kathyiwanicki I know I can learn any facts I want from going to sources. I need to know my students can see where knowledge is to be found rather than walk past it #2pencilchat
In reply to
@TheEdsaneT, @abookforfrances, @kathyiwanicki
A2: I believe that a community that reads together stays together (and keeps reading!) read how @scfschools builds a community of passionate readers here: https://t.co/H5z0FQJnoO#2pencilchat
A@b) not sure what happens in US but here, even at Year 12 it is compulsory to study texts. So students are always "forced" into reading but I feel this stops them enjoying it #2pencilchat
Q3: I've been known to read a book from cover to cover and wish for those hours of my life back, simply because I can't NOT finish a book I've started. Where do you stand? #2PencilChat
Yes! I hated reading in school bc the traditional education model does force reading upon kids. Also, growing up dyslexic made me feel as if I wore a scarlet letter for reading Ts #2pencilchat
A3: Definitely depends on the book! Usually when this happens to me, I just skim through the pages and try to find something to spark my interest. #2pencilchat
A3: I do and tell my kids to do it as well. I would hate for them to create a relationship between reading and wasting their time. Some books we read as a class but independent books are free to be broken up with. #2pencilchat
Q3: I've been known to read a book from cover to cover and wish for those hours of my life back, simply because I can't NOT finish a book I've started. Where do you stand? #2PencilChat
A3: For sure I can abandon a book. If it is not interesting to me I am done with it. That's the freedom of choice. Kids shouldn't have to read text they don't want to either. #2pencilchat
A3- we talk about how different books 'fit' different people- how your book might not 'fit' me and that's OK- I bring in examples of books from home that I started and couldn't finish- we want our reading time to be precious and valued #2pencilchat
A3 I read to the end too. Always hopeful something will change. Very, very seldom do I not finish a book. I have been known to read other ones in between though. #2PencilChat
A3: Oh, I can abandon a book and have. I tried to read Atonement three times and do not even get me started on Dolores Claiborne. If a student is most of the way through a book I usually try to get them to finish it. #2pencilchat
A3: Great question! I've definitely bailed, but it takes a lot. Sometimes I give myself some time and try again later. If I quit on it twice, it's over. #2pencilchat
Q3: I've been known to read a book from cover to cover and wish for those hours of my life back, simply because I can't NOT finish a book I've started. Where do you stand? #2PencilChat
A3. Personally, I NEVER abandon books. But I teach kids that it's okay to. I do council trying to really dive in and read a few chapters b/f calling it quits. Some books take a while to kick in. #2pencilchat
A3a:I always feel like a quitter when I do this, but rationalize that there’s too many other titles I could be reading and enjoying. I just abandoned my book club’s choice. There’s always next month’s selection. #2PencilChat
Yes! The Book-It program! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Get those stickers. I recall one version of the button being ridged and you could make all kinds of fun scratchy noise with. Liked that even more than the free personal pan pizza. #2pencilchat
A3: If they have just started the book. I have them explain to me what they do not like about the book before they pick another, so they will not hopefully end up having the same problem. #2pencilchat
A3 We discuss how it’s sometimes worthwhile to keep reading even when it’s not fun, and how it’s sometimes NOT worthwhile to finish books just to say we finished. Always about connecting the reading to their own values.
#2pencilchat
Yrs ago a talk show here had two guests. A celebrity who had just done her English exam, and the author of the text in the exam.
Essay question had to do with a characters actions
Author was surprised and said acton was just a plot device to get character out of room #2pencilchat
A3 We discuss how it’s sometimes worthwhile to keep reading even when it’s not fun, and how it’s sometimes NOT worthwhile to finish books just to say we finished. Always about connecting the reading to their own values.
#2pencilchat
A3) My learners know that books aren’t written in one sitting, so reading a book shouldn’t be done in one sitting either. It’s not a race, it’s appreciating & enjoying the story/reading, come back to it when ready #2pencilchat#enjoytheread
A3a:I do model for my Ss how impt it is to know your readerself to pick what might interest you most, but encourage risks to discover more. At 7&8 they’re still developing an identity and navigating an unclear world. #2PencilChat
A3 Not ashamed to jump ship on a book started. I sometimes come back to it in time. Sometimes I never do. This Q makes me want to dig a few up that I've abandoned and see if it has more staying power. #2PencilChat
I came to the party late and I am having to leave early. Dinner calls my friends. Thanks for a great chat. I may go finish all my unread books, who knows?!? #2PencilChat
A3: I fully endorse the right to abandon a book - I tell Ss all the time, there are too many great books waiting for you to stay with one you think is meh. If I could only follow my own advice #2pencilchat
A4: I am a total juggler. Some of my students are too. Some aren't. Some need to finish one book at a time. To each reader, her own way of reading. #2pencilchat
My students brainstormed reasons to read. Then they looked through books I’d put out, and they each identified reasons they personally would want to read each one. Helped them think more flexibly about why they might want to read a particular book. #2PencilChat
Have a great time! I just showed up myself and have to jump ship soon to read a book with my 4 year old. Zac Power! These are fun. We're hooked. #2pencilchat
A4. Definitely a reading juggler. Always re-read what I am teaching/discussing while reading my own choice before bed. When I with grandchildren, the abundance multiplies. #2pencilchat
A4: I usually end up reading a couple of books at one time. Plus I read manga most days online. My students usually have a non-fiction and fiction book, so I guess they are also book jugglers. #2pencilchat
I have this book and haven't finished. Need to jump back in. I have a tendency to bounce around from book to book. Just the way my brain works I guess. #2pencilchat
A4:I try not to juggle. I’m good at multitasking housework, but not reading. My Ss are all jugglers, y the nature of being in a reading workshop environment. They know how to shop for new books and replenish their book bins. Lots of modeling for this to be successful #2PencilChat
I think I just answered Q4 in a reply a minute ago. Book bouncer here. Ss are all different but I often see them carrying around the same book for a good stretch of time (middle school). #2pencilchathttps://t.co/RrRjz34SMK
I have this book and haven't finished. Need to jump back in. I have a tendency to bounce around from book to book. Just the way my brain works I guess. #2pencilchat
A2 I try to do a reading challenge every year. This year is 50 books. My kiddos at school are doing the 40 Book Challenge. I read with them so we xan talk books constantly. #2pencilchat
A3 We discuss how it’s sometimes worthwhile to keep reading even when it’s not fun, and how it’s sometimes NOT worthwhile to finish books just to say we finished. Always about connecting the reading to their own values.
#2pencilchat
A4) I definitely don’t juggle, some of my students do... I think it has to do w/generations & consuming things (?) some just want more & more, faster & faster #2pencilchat
A4- definitely a juggler- I find some books are best consumed by morsel- I also have a few in each room that I'll leaf through when I happen to be in the nearest chair- the ones on the nightstand are always the first finished though #2pencilchat
A4 I am an expert juggler! Books everywhere! Usually reading several at a time. Also, hardback, paperback, iBooks, Kindle, and audible. My tablet is like the credit card commercial- never leave home without it. #2PencilChat
a5. Maybe you just haven't found the right book. I know when I read for fun, I learn a lot about the world around me, but more important, about myself. #2pencilchat
A5 Could lead to good convo. I'd reply with, "Tell me more." I'd ask them what there interests are and even try and make a few recommendations. Not to force it but to take a chance that they read for information AND enjoyment and get the best of both worlds. #2pencilchat
I always say that everyone likes to read and if they don’t, they just haven’t found the right book yet. Oh yeah and I tell them I am the book whisper and have secret powers to match them up with the book perfect for them #2pencilchat
A5: I'm making more of an effort to connect the reading they do independently, outside of schoolwork, to show them that they *are* reading for enjoyment, even if it's not a book #2pencilchat
A5:can’t say I’ve heard this, but my Ss do express lack of reading enjoyment. Rding is difficult for some at this age and the process to learn can be hard and overwhelming. If my reluctant readers are reading nf for facts, I’m ok w/it at this stage. It’s a journey. #2PencilChat
Schucks... no there is a big fat file sitting in someone's office that might suggest otherwise...
I'm just focussed on the kids and getting the most out of them #2pencilchat
