Always, Sometimes, Rarely, Never

 

This week children in NSW State schools will bring home their school reports. One section of the report might be about library borrowing and it might contain the words at the top of this post.

The word list above makes me despair. Several times over the last few weeks classroom teachers and Teacher-Librarians have commented that their students in Grade 6 are not borrowing from the school library. I have strong reservations about our school reporting system and especially labels like these which are used to rate the borrowing of students but it also makes me very sad to hear one Grade 6 teacher say that the Teacher-Librarian at her school had given the majority of Grade 6 children a 'rarely' or 'never' rating. These rating are often based on statistics (quantity not quality) but if so many students are rated as rarely or never I would hope something could happen?

In my former school this result would most certainly have galvanised me into action. Some important things are perhaps lacking if students in Grade 6, who can read, choose not to.

So what would I do:

• The library needs to be filled with great books (new and old but in great condition)
• Give students the freedom to choose
• Books need to be displayed in an inviting way showcasing as many front covers as possible
• Displays need to be changed very very regularly
• Have high expectations that the students will read and will borrow - cajole, coerce, command but in a positive way with a smile!
• Teacher-Librarians are busy and they are teachers as well as staff with responsibilities for running the library but in my view Teacher-Librarians do need to also be readers - your enthusiasm can be contagious.
• In the library students need time for book selection and they need guidance (think of hand selling in a book shop). 
• Other students are powerful tools to use - asking them to recommend books to their friends can be an effective strategy - this can be formal and informal
• In the classroom, teachers need to be enthusiastic about reading and model their own reading of books from the school library
• Classrooms need to be filled with books too - books that are borrowed from the school library and displayed in attractive ways
• Teachers need to read aloud to their class every day no what what grade: Children need to hear stories read out loud by people who do so with relish and enthusiasm; by teachers who adore books. They need to be inducted into a community of literature lovers and story enthusiasts. This is especially true for the many children who do not get read to at home. TeachWire

• TIME is a big factor. We have to give students time at school for sustained silent reading. In many cases this type of reading no longer happens outside of school and if you want students to read a book of over 200 or 300 pages it does take time and dedication. 
• When the students are in the library there needs to be time for book talks and viewing book trailers and the sharing of new books that have arrived. Even reading the blurb of a book can be a useful tool.
• Ask the students to make shelf talkers

• Use the power of your library catalogue - ours here in NSW allows students to write very short book reviews and give books a star rating - teach your students how to do this and encourage them to add their (positive) reviews. 
• Have you thought about asking the Grade 6 students why they are not borrowing, not reading etc. I am certain they will mention time!

Have you notice I have highlighted on magic word = time! Please think about this. Seriously please think about how to give your students (and children at home) time for reading. 

Here are a few resources:

Colby Sharp YouTube

What is a book talk?

Tips for student led book talks

Nancy Keane examples of book talks (hundreds of US titles)

Parents try to find the book Raising Readers by Megan Daley

Your 5 step guide to a great school library

UK Literacy Trust

10 Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Students Edutopia

10 Ways to promote reading in your classroom and school

One last word which I would like to throw in aside from time - we need to build up reading stamina in our students because from this they will discover the joy of reading a truly wonderful book. Oh wait a minute how do we build our stamina - it takes - yes you have guess my famous buzz word - TIME!