Teaching a love of reading...

  I always have my students read when they have nothing to do. For example... when they come into the classroom after lunch, specials, or recess they are supposed to automatically get out a book and read. I do this because every time I would sub the students would always beg me to give them time to read. Since then I have always tried to give them as much time to read as I can!
  A little background for me is that, because of Accelerated Reader, I lost my love for reading in elementary school. I would spend all of my time reading books and because of my lack of comprehension skills I would fail the tests almost every time. I really would read the book and try my best to pass the test but I usually still failed the test. Ever since then it has been a struggle for me to want to read.
  That being said... One of my 4th grade girls is reading The Hunger Games right now and she is loving it. So yesterday she expressed how much better the book is and how many details the movie leaves out. Since I love the movie and am excited for the new movie this weekend I was instantly interested. Joe got the trilogy last Christmas and I have wanted to read them but never had the drive... until now. When I got home I started reading the first book and I have to say my 4th grader was right. There is so much internal dialogue that they show but don't explain in the movie! I am already on chapter 4 and for me that is a huge deal.
  My biggest lesson through this is that I am not only teaching my students to have a love of reading but they are teaching me to love it as well. I am so blessed to have students that can show me how to love reading again. That is such a wonderful thing!