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MARCH 2004

From The Principal's Desk:
Developing the Habit of Reading
by Nigel Pugh

Every student should be required to read a self-selected book daily. Students must be given opportunities to learn how to select appropriate books, and be given time at home and school to read, write about and discuss these books. Like literate adults, students need to develop the habit of reading. When adults discuss why students don't read, we tend to blame everyone other than ourselves. My belief is that students don't read when they live and study in an environment where adults don't read or are not seen reading.

At the Queens High School of Teaching, a new school that opened in September 2003, each student has a 30-minute a day reading activity. Even though class sizes are high, for this activity students are in small multi-age and multi-ability groups of about eighteen that includes students with special educational needs, some of whom  need to have texts read to them. All teachers and guidance counselors have been trained to support the program. This entails learning how to model "interviewing a book," writing about a book and reading, and facilitating student talk about books and reading. Each day teachers and students read, write about and discuss their reading. However, if students are to develop the habit of reading, this activity needs to be supported at home as well.

The Home Reading Program requires parents or guardians to select their own book and to read with their child three or more times a week. Parents might read to a child, listen to a child read, discuss a common text, or read a different text in the same space that the child reads. The parent's book does not have to be in English, and parents who are unable to read will be assisted in locating an adult reading program. From time to time, parents will be expected to bring their book to school. For example, there will be a reading activity during the first Open House. Parents will be asked to share reading activities that have worked for them.

We are designing a school-wide reading book for the spring semester. A common text will be selected to be read by all school personnel (not just teachers), students and their parents. School-wide discussions and other activities will help to create a literate community that is developing the habit of reading.#

Nigel Pugh is the principal of the Queens High School of Teaching.

 

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