"What Really Matters: Kids Need to Read a Lot"

              As we all know reading is a major part of school and life. You read something everyday, whether is a menu, an e-mail, or a book. Because it is such a huge part of our lives it needs to be a major focus of elementary classrooms. Reading in classrooms is so important because it will give them a basis and platform for reading for the rest of their lives. If they have a bad experience with reading when they are young they will most likely not enjoy reading as the grow up and in their adult lives. As teachers it is our duty to foster the classroom in a way that make students want to learn and read.
              Although we know it is important to read in the classroom, the real question is how much is enough? There have been multiple studies to figure this out, and there isn't one answer. Because every child is different they need different amounts of reading. One idea that is common among all studies it that more reading relate to higher achieving students. "Kids need to read to become good readers."- Allington. The old saying of practice makes perfect applies here. If teachers want their students to be better readers, as they should, they need to allow time for them to read more.
              To allow time for more reading teachers may have to make a conscious effort to make more time for it. Because it is such an important aspect of school, and life, there should be time carved out of each day for reading. This time should be a combination of silent reading, reading out loud with big groups and with small groups. Having a variety of reading times will keep the students engaged and interested in what they are reading. This will also allow the teacher time to observe the students and their reading abilities. This is an important part of teaching how to read because if you don't know what students are struggling you won't know how to help them.
             Along with making time to read it is also important that the students are reading something that is appropriate for their skill level. If a student is reading something that is too difficult they could doubt their abilities and give up all together. Likewise if they are reading something that is too easy they might get bored. Because of this it is important for teachers to be aware of their students' reading levels. Having the students know their own reading level is also important. If they know their own reading abilities they will be better equipped to pick books that are appropriate for them and in turn they will enjoy more.
            In my future classroom I hope to effectively foster a classroom environment where the students enjoy reading and want to read. I would hope to positively impact their lives in a way that encourages them to read and makes them excited about it. To do this I will strive to give my students adequate time to read every day. I also hope to be lucky enough to have a library that has a variety of books for every level of reader. It is my goal to have students enjoy the time they spend reading and to always strive to be better readers.