An Unexpected Heart Flutter

Every June, I am curious to learn each reader’s favorite book enjoyed in fourth grade. After watching and listening and recommending all year long, I am left wondering what the #1 title in their stacks of 30-40 independent reading books is. Last week, I invited my crew to take out their stack of monthly “Shelfies” to prepare for my one-question inquiry. The expected chatter erupted, but then, as I lowered myself into my rocking chair with a pen and notebook in hand, the unexpected happened:

The only reason I love reading is because of this class!

“Say that again,” I replied. He repeated the words that made my heart flutter, and most readers excitedly agreed. Holding back my happy tears, I declared that my one-question inquiry would have to wait. “Well,” I said, “Let’s talk about THIS! Tell me more about what grew your love for reading this year.” Readers waved their hands. I scrawled in my notebook. Here is what they had to say:

What helped you grow your love for reading this year?

• First Chapter Friday
• Having a teacher who loves to read
• So many choices in our classroom library
• Recommendations from book buzzing
• Reading every day
• Time to read what we enjoy in the classroom
• Learning new strategies to understand the reading

Thank you, readers, for helping me to know what reading routines will live on in 4Q. If I accomplished nothing else this year, I at least fostered a love of reading. I know there are countless teachers who did the same.