Evolution of my Reading Life

In our last class, we discussed the different types of readers we may see in the classroom. I learned about a new type of reader - the "dormant" reader. Dormant readers are those do not read outside of school but do what is needed for their classes. They do not find reading very enjoyable and are not as engaged in reading as much as they could be.  After some reflection, I feel like this was me growing up and still is to some extent. 

Growing up, I was a good student and took my studies seriously. I enjoyed challenging classes and took many advanced English classes in middle and high school. The book lists for these classes were long and rigorous. I enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing that I had read so many classics and could add them to my reading repertoire. Looking back now, I don't think I truly enjoyed that and it definitely wasn't fostering a love of reading. I was and still am a good reader, but I had no drive to read for pleasure.

Fast forward to today and part of me still feels dormant. I am always involved in a professional book study with my school, always reading children's books ahead of time to prepare for read aloud instruction, and now I have textbooks to read for graduate school courses. Finding the time to read for pleasure has still been difficult for me. Luckily, in my literacy in secondary schools class, I have the opportunity to read a young adult novel for a book club. This has given me the opportunity to get back into reading for pleasure. I immediately was hooked from the first page of the novel, Wonder, and now I am very excited to carve out time to read.

I have also noticed that the environment which I read is crucial. I can't read in bed if I'm tired and I can't have a lot of background noise. Reading outside is ideal if it's a pretty day outside or reading next to a window where there is natural light. I had never really considered the parameters of where and how I read to matter up until recently. When the conditions are right and distractions are removed, I am a much more successful reader.

If my job as an educator is to foster a love of reading in my students, then I know it needs to start with good modeling from the teacher. I am making it a goal to improve and move past the dormancy.