Part 2: Blessing the Book with Sharon Callen

23 Sep 2024

Blessing the Book: A Framework for Building Student Engagement

In this blog, we delve into how teachers can foster reading engagement in the classroom. Drawing from research by experts like Linda Gambrell and strategies shared by Sharon Callen, this framework emphasises the importance of actively teaching engagement alongside reading skills. Let's explore practical ways to nurture a love for reading through student choice, peer discussions, and fresh, relevant materials.

Independent Reading Time: Building Habits of Sustained Engagement

One of Linda Gambrell's central ideas is that students are more motivated to read when they have time for sustained reading. Independent reading time allows students to choose and engage with books that matter to them, encouraging the development of consistent reading habits.

Providing a regular, dedicated reading block each day where students can immerse themselves in a book is essential. Instead of allowing students to switch between different books daily, help them build a relationship with one book over time. This builds stamina and fosters a deeper connection with the text.

Classroom Tip: Make independent reading time a regular, purposeful practice. Encourage students to stick with one book for a longer period, teaching them the value of engaging deeply with a single text over multiple reading sessions.

Helping Striving Readers Make Good Choices: The Blessing of Books

For striving readers, selecting the right book can be a challenge. They may pick books that are too difficult or not aligned with their interests, which can quickly lead to frustration. This is where "blessing the book" comes in—a simple, yet powerful strategy to guide students toward appropriate and engaging texts.

To "bless" a book, teachers curate a small, focused selection of books for a student. Introduce these books by reading the blurb or the first paragraph, and then offer the student a few choices. This gives students autonomy while also ensuring that their selection is appropriate for their reading level and interests.

Classroom Tip: Regularly bless books for your striving readers. Thoughtful recommendations help them build confidence and engagement, while also encouraging them to discover new genres and topics they might not have considered.

Social Interaction Around Texts

Reading doesn't have to be a solitary activity. Gambrell's research shows that students are more motivated to read when they can share their reading experiences with their peers. Social interaction around books deepens understanding, and peer discussions can often spark new insights and connections.

Incorporating regular peer conversations in your classroom encourages students to think critically about what they've read and to engage with the text in meaningful ways. A simple "turn and tell" activity after independent reading gives students a chance to share highlights or questions about the text with a partner.

Classroom Tip: After independent reading, allow time for students to "turn and tell" a partner about their book. These brief, structured discussions promote social connection and strengthen reading comprehension.

Choosing Challenging but Accessible Books

Students often gravitate toward challenging books that may be beyond their reading level, thinking that more difficult books make them appear more accomplished. While challenge is important, students need to experience success to build confidence in their reading abilities.

Rather than categorising books as easy or hard, focus on selecting books that are both accessible and provide an appropriate level of challenge. This creates a balance where students can stretch their reading skills while also feeling successful.

Classroom Tip: When helping students choose a book, talk about the challenges it may present. Explain how taking on an appropriate challenge helps them grow as readers, and that persistence is key to mastering difficult texts.

The Power of the Engagement Inventory

One effective tool for understanding student engagement is the Engagement Inventory, adapted from Jennifer Serravallo's work. Teachers can observe and track how students behave during independent reading time—whether they are actively reading, distracted, or disengaged.

By noting student behaviours every few minutes, teachers gain insights into which students struggle with focus and can adjust their strategies accordingly. The Engagement Inventory provides clear data that can help inform teaching interventions, and it has been proven to uncover patterns of disengagement that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Classroom Tip: Try using an engagement inventory to track student behaviours during independent reading. Every few minutes, jot down observations about what students are doing. This will provide valuable insights into how you can better support their engagement.

Engagement Strategies from Jennifer Serravallo

Once engagement patterns are identified, teachers can turn to Jennifer Serravallo's Reading Strategies Book to address specific needs. Serravallo offers a variety of strategies aligned with skills like stamina, focus, and choosing the right book. For example, keeping a reading log not only encourages reflection but helps students track their own progress over time.

These strategies empower students to take charge of their reading lives, building agency and independence in their reading habits.

Classroom Tip: Incorporate Serravallo's engagement strategies into your classroom. One effective strategy is to have students maintain a reading log or calendar where they track their reading and reflect on their progress.

Keeping Books Fresh and Relevant

Students, much like adults, are more motivated to read when the material is current and feels relevant to their lives. This makes it important to regularly refresh your classroom library with contemporary titles that reflect diverse perspectives.

One strategy to introduce new books is the "Book Blessing" routine, where teachers present new titles by reading an excerpt or the first line. This generates excitement and curiosity among students, making them eager to explore the new selections on their own.

Classroom Tip: Regularly update your classroom library with new books. Use the Book Blessing strategy to introduce these titles and build excitement among students.

Wrapping Up: Building Engagement and Motivation Matters

Engaging students in reading requires intentional planning and thoughtful strategies. By integrating independent reading time, blessing the book, fostering peer discussions, and monitoring engagement with tools like the Engagement Inventory, teachers can create an environment where reading is a joy rather than a task.

By empowering students with choices, offering new and relevant materials, and teaching them how to stay engaged, you're setting them up to develop not just as readers but as lifelong learners.