5. Establish a safe zone—a risk-taking environment.
Creating a sense of community is essential in developing a risk-taking environment for all students. Students need to feel respected, supported, and empowered to successfully participate in literacy activities and discussions that will facilitate critical thinking about both the books they are reading and current writing projects. Teachers can create this community by modeling acceptance of all contributions shared in class. Teaching students to value all opinions and ideas, especially those that differ from their own, is key in producing a non-threatening environment. Other ways to promote a sense of community in your classroom include: allowing students opportunities to take responsibility for their learning by letting them determine tentative due dates for assignments; providing time for group discussions, choices in projects, and activities; and finally, encouraging students to challenge themselves to go above and beyond the standard expectations. My students never cease to amaze me with their deep thinking and risk-taking. For example, my students are currently finishing up chosen book projects with their literature circle groups. One group has already asked if they could write and sing an original song to complement their model. Another group chose to create a presentation of major historical events that occurred during the setting of their book rather than the suggested simple report or timeline.
This list in no way encompasses the totality of all there is to know about creating a literate environment in your classroom. However, these five areas can serve as a starting place as you begin to create the literacy-rich atmosphere in which your students can thrive. I truly believe that if you establish the foundation for learning and you are enthusiastic about teaching, your students will in turn become excited about literacy.
References
Gallagher, K. (2009). Readicide: How schools are
killing reading and what you can do about it. Maine: Stenhouse Publishers. www.kellygallagher.org
Miller, D. (2009). The book whisperer:
Awakening the inner reader in every child. California: Jossey-Bass. www.bookwhisperer.com
National Governors Association Center for Best
Practices & Council of Chief State Officers. (2010). Common Core State Standards. Washington, DC: Authors.
Routman, R. (2012). Literacy and learning
lessons from a longtime teacher. Deleware: International Reading Association. www.regieroutman.org
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Get Involved in Choosing Award-Winning Books in Missouri
Awards are given every year to books that are voted on by Missouri students. Students must read a minimum numbers of books before they are allowed to vote. See guidelines for each category below.
- Show-Me Readers (1-3 grades)
- Must read at least 6 titles on list
- Mark Twain Readers (4-6 grades)
- Must read at least 4 titles on list
- Truman Readers (6-8 grades)
- Must read at least 4 titles on list
- Gateway Readers (9-12 grades)
- Must read at least 3 titles on list
Here's a link to the voting guidelines and procedures.
Voting takes place
between March 1-15!