When I was a kid I hated book reports. I didn't mind the reading, not at all, but I found the forms and writing tedious. I'm pretty sure I had teachers who thought I was functionally illiterate when, in reality, I was devouring books by the dozen...I just didn't want to write about it. And, honestly, old-style book reports are dreadful and practically obsolete in a world with the internet in it.
So big shocker, now that I'm an adult, now that I'm in control of my classrooms and get to decide what happens there, what am I doing? I'm delivering book reports to my students. I've been doing a lot of research about literacy lately and it has changed many of my preconceived notions. One of the biggest realizations I've had is that my best weapon is my own love of literature. It really never occurred to me that my own enthusiasm for books could make a difference. It's been three days, and it's already obvious. I've got boys reading April Henry books. I've got freshmen asking me if I think they are ready for Kite Runner. I have kids telling me they are excited to find a book.
It's precious and fragile and new, but it's a start. I'm just so scared I'm going to screw it up.
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