What's My Prize?

I stopped sending home reading logs for parent signature years ago.
I no longer place cute smiley face stickers on charts for finished books.

Given these two actions, what result would you predict?

Here's what it has meant for my class of 4th graders:
My students have read a total of 1,040 books since the beginning of this school year.

With a color printer and PowerPoint slide, they make a sign and post it outside our classroom for display. When teachers, parents, or administration visit, they all get directed to the sign and a conversation begins. I stand back proudly and think about how it all began.

This was our total in December. My students would be sure to tell you the number is higher now!

It started when I read a blog called  The Book Whisperer. (I'd been on a blog-reading frenzy searching for a while, reading everything I could about teaching and education.) Donalyn Miller, a fellow teacher from Texas, wrote about how she had created a community of readers. I was hooked from the first post. Her words rang true with me. I wanted my students to be avid readers, too.

I started with having my students read books of their choosing. I gave them time to read in class. I shared Donalyn's 40-book challenge: read 40 books by the end of the school year. We discussed the books they'd read, and with each conversation, I became more familiar with my students' preferences, interests, hopes, and challenges. Through mini-lessons, guided reading, and conferences, I supported their reading and gave them tools and strategies to use when they were on their own.

I surrounded them with books in our classroom library. It's just three tall bookcases filled with book-stuffed plastic shoeboxes, but it's a focal point in our class. So many times a day, my students and I head to the shelves in the corner and pull out a title for reference. So many times a day, students in pairs or groups do the same.  I always know what my students are reading. And my students know what I'm reading because I read alongside them every day.  They also know my own love of books and my never-ending need to acquire more, as I share my own reading life with them. (In class and at home, I read as many middle grade and picture books as I can. Because of that, I  can usually recommend a good book to a reader on-the-spot.)

When students read their 40 books for the year, they don't stop there (just as Donalyn said!) But they do share the accomplishment with me, and we all celebrate together--with high-fives and cheers and admiration. Not once do they ask: What's my prize? I think it's because they know they've already earned it.

I don't know what the total will be in June. We might predict it! Or not. But on our way to the total, one thing is certain: we'll enjoy some really great books together. 

(Donalyn Miller's blog is now a book, too. Read The Book Whisperer as soon as you can. I have three copies: one is signed by Donalyn, one is my working copy, and one is a copy I lend out.)