Classroom+Applications

Just a Taste
===Teachers are busy and budgets are scarce. Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), Making Books Available, and Promoting Reading are "quick and easy" ways that teachers and teacher-librarians can work at creating a culture of reading in an individual classroom.=== (for a full-screen version of the voicethread, click here) media type="custom" key="13595842" References: Daniels, E., & Steres, M. (2011). Examining the effects of a school-wide reading culture on the engagement of middle school students. //RMLE// //Online, 35// //(2),// 1-13. Krashen, S. (2011). //Free voluntary reading.// Santa Barbara CA: Libraries Unlimited. Miller, D. (2009). //The book whisperer: Awakening the inner reader in every child//. SanFrancisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The Full Meal Deal
===Once a bigger philosophical change has occured in teachers, other ideas can be applied in the classroom. The 40-Book Challenge from Donalyn Miller's //The Book Whisperer//, Classroom Book Clubs, and Grand Conversation Literature Circles from Faye Brownlie are all ways of infusing a reading culture in a classroom. === (for a full-screen version of the voicethread, click [|here]) media type="custom" key="13599904" References: Brownlie, F (2005). //Grand conversations, thoughtful responses: A unique approach to literature circles//. Winnipeg, MB, Canada: Portage & Main Press. Miller, D. (2009). //The book whisperer: Awakening the inner reader in every child//. SanFrancisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. McComb, B. (2009). //Creating a culture of reading in high school: Student book clubs work// [PDF document]. Retrieved from []

These are ideas that can be added to supplement an already-strong reading culture in classrooms.
(for a full-screen version of this voicethread, click [|here]) media type="custom" key="13605732" References: Chambers, A. (1991). //The reading environment.// Stroud, England: Thimble Press. Ferriter, W.M. (2010). Can't get kids to read? Make it social. //Educational Leadership//, //67(6),// 87-88.

Room for Discussion
In the discussion section, discuss your experiences with any of these methods. Also, please add any additional suggestions for how you have worked to build a reading culture in your classrom.include component="comments" page="Classroom Applications" limit="100"