Reading is more than a set of skills. It’s a lifestyle.
Teachers and principals learn to view themselves as similar to coaches of state championship athletic teams, working hard toward success for all team members, coaching individuals as well as the whole team through daily intensive practice sessions. High expectations for volume of independent reading are established, made public and progress toward the goals celebrated.
The teacher sees herself as the students’ key mentor and embraces her position as the primary reading role model in many of their lives. Teachers constantly monitor student’s reading and ensure high engagement rates by connecting students to books, authors, and topics they love.
Teachers teach the avid reader lifestyle to make sure that their students
• love to read. • understand that they are in charge of their own learning and academic progress • experience success, regardless of the students’ reading level.
