How do you or the teachers in your school use reading logs: to promote thoughtful reflection with students about their reading lives, or to ensure students are reading? Do you see these two objectives mutually exclusive or can one support the other? Please share your current thinking and examples here!
I think I will post a survey next week at this time, see what readers/followers might prefer instead with these threaded discussions. Have a nice evening, -Matt
I keep my reading log completely on Goodreads. I make a goal every year in the Reading Challenge. (Usually 50 books, haven't met it since 2015.) The goal helps me stay with reading, reading every day. As I review my books throughout the year, I can feel a sense of accomplishment in my "reading log". I can also see what types of books I'm reading and reflect on how my reading habits might be favoring one genre over another. For example, I tend to read more nonfiction than fiction. Seeing a visual log of my reading diet is a quick way to assess and rethink future book choices. So...I see reading logs serving dual purposes: to reflect and to hold myself accountable.
We have just lightly scratched the surface with this, teachers use this largely to see who is reading at home but there isn't a punishment or reward tied to it. I LOVE the premise of reflection on the reading and keeping track during school - nothing wrong with trying to log reading at home to encourage kiddos to read, but with some family dynamics, it doesn't always work. We are doing a read it forward initiative in some of our grade levels (read the book, share your review as you pass it on to someone else to read) - would love to span that out to our staff!
Danelle, that's a great idea! Expanding the sharing to staff is a nice idea for broadening the reading community and showing that reading is valued by all. I know my kids read more and more enthusiastically when we have book sharing time. It really builds excitement for books!
Thankfully most of our staff moved away from reading logs. They were being used to ensure students read nightly, but teachers came to realize we can not control what happens in our students lives once they exit the school building.
Very true, hard to gauge students' reading habits when using logs this way. What about keeping track of one's reading while in school for the purpose of reflection? I have found it beneficial for myself.
When I was teaching (7 years ago, wow), our whole building used reading bags with reading logs sent home nightly with real books from our school. The building was largely free & reduced lunches and the students definitely had many needs past their time in our building. But, these reading baggies and logs kept the parents involved in this little piece of their child's school work. For nearly all, they came back signed daily. Some families spoke of this with pride: "I read with my child and sign his reading bag every night!" Some students brought them in with pride: "My grandma from TN signed mine last night!" For some, they read & signed the form with the crossing guard, the morning recess staff, a volunteer, me... I'm not positive the reading logs held much purpose, other than a means to the end of children reading. I'd be curious what former students and parents would have to say!
You bring up great points, and I think it largely depends on the culture created with the reading logs. Sounds like yours was very positive and fostered a love of reading. At my school it was used as reward/punishment so didn't foster that love. For instance, if your reading log wasn't signed you missed recess, or if you didn't have x amounts of points at the end of the month you couldn't participate in the school lock in. I think it's great that the reading community at your school extended to the crossing guards and other staff members as well. Kudos!
I'm sure some classrooms used it for punishment, unfortunately. And I was probably guilty of this a time or two also, so reflection of their purpose is so important! We had the Pizza Hut Book It program (I know, shame shame), so I would staple enough coupons for all the children in the family with a filled up reading log. I'd like to think all kids ended up with this, but I really don't remember! Like other homework assignments, there are absolutely considerations to be made on how to make this a positive home-school connection tool.
I don’t want more work for you, and I’m not sure how the slow chats work exactly. I kind of thought maybe they just were on a twitter thread but I have zero idea how to do that. Sometimes it just takes time to get a new idea up and running. Know you are doing great things to move effective literacy practices fwd.
Thanks Ryanne, I appreciate the feedback. A slow chat might be better. One challenge I find is having to go back into a thread anytime someone posts a comment. I'll think about your idea.
I like that I get an email/update from you about these chats. I think I may have even seen it pop up on facebook last night. The time of night doesn't work for me (8pm EST), but I love the reflection over coffee at my desk the following morning. I'm not familiar what other format options are out there, but I'm sure you've got some ideas! Do what works best for you! I appreciate your leadership in literacy!
I think I will post a survey next week at this time, see what readers/followers might prefer instead with these threaded discussions. Have a nice evening, -Matt
I keep my reading log completely on Goodreads. I make a goal every year in the Reading Challenge. (Usually 50 books, haven't met it since 2015.) The goal helps me stay with reading, reading every day. As I review my books throughout the year, I can feel a sense of accomplishment in my "reading log". I can also see what types of books I'm reading and reflect on how my reading habits might be favoring one genre over another. For example, I tend to read more nonfiction than fiction. Seeing a visual log of my reading diet is a quick way to assess and rethink future book choices. So...I see reading logs serving dual purposes: to reflect and to hold myself accountable.
We have just lightly scratched the surface with this, teachers use this largely to see who is reading at home but there isn't a punishment or reward tied to it. I LOVE the premise of reflection on the reading and keeping track during school - nothing wrong with trying to log reading at home to encourage kiddos to read, but with some family dynamics, it doesn't always work. We are doing a read it forward initiative in some of our grade levels (read the book, share your review as you pass it on to someone else to read) - would love to span that out to our staff!
Danelle, that's a great idea! Expanding the sharing to staff is a nice idea for broadening the reading community and showing that reading is valued by all. I know my kids read more and more enthusiastically when we have book sharing time. It really builds excitement for books!
I love book sharing! I'm planning to join the upper elementary by reading Forgotten Girl and passing it on. :-)
Thankfully most of our staff moved away from reading logs. They were being used to ensure students read nightly, but teachers came to realize we can not control what happens in our students lives once they exit the school building.
Very true, hard to gauge students' reading habits when using logs this way. What about keeping track of one's reading while in school for the purpose of reflection? I have found it beneficial for myself.
When I was teaching (7 years ago, wow), our whole building used reading bags with reading logs sent home nightly with real books from our school. The building was largely free & reduced lunches and the students definitely had many needs past their time in our building. But, these reading baggies and logs kept the parents involved in this little piece of their child's school work. For nearly all, they came back signed daily. Some families spoke of this with pride: "I read with my child and sign his reading bag every night!" Some students brought them in with pride: "My grandma from TN signed mine last night!" For some, they read & signed the form with the crossing guard, the morning recess staff, a volunteer, me... I'm not positive the reading logs held much purpose, other than a means to the end of children reading. I'd be curious what former students and parents would have to say!
You bring up great points, and I think it largely depends on the culture created with the reading logs. Sounds like yours was very positive and fostered a love of reading. At my school it was used as reward/punishment so didn't foster that love. For instance, if your reading log wasn't signed you missed recess, or if you didn't have x amounts of points at the end of the month you couldn't participate in the school lock in. I think it's great that the reading community at your school extended to the crossing guards and other staff members as well. Kudos!
I'm sure some classrooms used it for punishment, unfortunately. And I was probably guilty of this a time or two also, so reflection of their purpose is so important! We had the Pizza Hut Book It program (I know, shame shame), so I would staple enough coupons for all the children in the family with a filled up reading log. I'd like to think all kids ended up with this, but I really don't remember! Like other homework assignments, there are absolutely considerations to be made on how to make this a positive home-school connection tool.
And we all have done things that we now cringe about. When you know better- you do better. :)
I don’t want more work for you, and I’m not sure how the slow chats work exactly. I kind of thought maybe they just were on a twitter thread but I have zero idea how to do that. Sometimes it just takes time to get a new idea up and running. Know you are doing great things to move effective literacy practices fwd.
Matt, maybe consider doing a slow chat that spans over the week...??? Giving a little more flexibility for participants. Just a thought...
Thanks Ryanne, I appreciate the feedback. A slow chat might be better. One challenge I find is having to go back into a thread anytime someone posts a comment. I'll think about your idea.
I like that I get an email/update from you about these chats. I think I may have even seen it pop up on facebook last night. The time of night doesn't work for me (8pm EST), but I love the reflection over coffee at my desk the following morning. I'm not familiar what other format options are out there, but I'm sure you've got some ideas! Do what works best for you! I appreciate your leadership in literacy!