My conversation with a student today went something like this:
Student: “I hate reading.”
Me: “Wait, I know that’s not true. You like reading texts from your friends, right?”
S: (giggle)
Me: “You like reading Facebook posts, right?”
S: “Yeah, but I don’t read them; I just look at them.”
Me: “Wait. You understand what the message means when you look at it, right?”
S: “Yeah.”
Me: “Then you must like reading!”
S: “OK, I don’t like assigned class reading.”
Me: “We’re going to change the way reading class looks to you. I promise.”
My goals for reading class this year:
- I want my students to like reading.
- I want my students to read during reading time.
- I want to help my students become better readers by reading aloud, by helping them comprehend by using strategies that make sense, and by guiding them to talk and write about their reading.
Hopefully, we’re on our way!
Reading Teacher Writes 
August 23, 2016 at 8:26 PM
You can make it happen Jennifer! I love the way you walked that student down the path of “I hate reading!” to understand what it was about reading that was so onerous.
August 23, 2016 at 9:17 PM
It really sounds like you are on your way! 🙂 I love how even kids who “hate” reading often have something they actually enjoy reading… they just don’t see it that way.
August 24, 2016 at 12:58 AM
Love your ease of conversation; you’ve got this, Jennifer!
August 24, 2016 at 1:49 AM
Lol that convo !
August 30, 2016 at 9:05 PM
Love this conversation with a student and your resolve to change the way reading class looks. You rock the goals, my friend!