1st Edition

Igniting a Passion for Reading Successful Strategies for Building Lifetime Readers

By Steven Layne Copyright 2009

    When teaching reading, American classrooms often focus exclusively on skills instruction. But how can you teach the how without the why? In his new book, Igniting a Passion for Reading, Steve Layne shows teachers how to develop readers who are not only motivated to read great books, but also love reading in its own right. Packed with practical ways to engage and inspire readers from kindergarten through high school, this book is a must-have on every teacher’s professional book shelf. Well-known for his children’s books, young adult novels, and keynote speeches across the nation and around the world, Steve, aka Dr. Read, offers teachers everywhere a plan for engaging even the most reluctant reader. From read-alouds to creating reading lounges to author visits and so much more, this book will help schools create a vibrant reading culture. The book also includes reminiscences from many of today’s well-known children’s and young adult authors—Mem Fox, Sharon Draper, Steven Kellogg, Candace Fleming, Eric Rohman, Neal Shusterman, and Joan Bauer—about the teacher who ignited their passion for reading. Written with humor, grace, and poignancy, Igniting a Passion for Reading will have a profound effect on the teaching of reading in our nation’s schools.

    Chapter 1: The Missing Objective in the Teachers' Reading Lesson Plans: Igniting a Passion by Targeting Aliterate Readers; Chapter 2: Coaches Who Know Their Players Win More Games: Igniting a Passion by Knowing Your students; Chapter 3: I Didn't Know They Still Wrote Books for Adults: Igniting a Passion Through book Chats; Chapter 4: Don't Bother Me, I'm Busy Changing Lives: Igniting a Passion Through Effectively Reading Aloud; Chapter 5: My Modeling Career: Igniting a Passion by Reading with Students; Chapter 6: Can We Talk? Igniting a Passion Through Book Discussions; Chapter 7: Nothing's More Dangerous Than a Teacher with a Good Idea: Igniting a Passion by Opening a Reading Lounge; Chapter 8: There's a Party Goin' on Right Here: Igniting a Passion by Celebrating Books; Chapter 9: Oh, Author, Where Art Thou? Igniting a Passion Through Author Visits; Chapter 10: Making the Intangible Tangible: Igniting a Passion with a Quarterly Plan

    Biography

    Steven L. Layne serves as Professor of Literacy Education at Judson University in Elgin, IL, USA where he teaches courses in children's literature and directs the university's Master of Education in Literacy programme.

    "I couldn’t get enough of what Dr. Layne was saying and found myself yelling out, 'Yes! I’ve been telling people this.' This is a must have title for school, classroom teacher, and library collections." - School Library Journal
    "If you are a teacher, a librarian, a parent- anyone who wants to get kids reading more- then you need to get your hand on Steven Layne's book. I knew I would like the book as soon as I saw the title, but I had no idea how improtant it would be. It has earned itself a place of honor on my professional book shelf." - The Reading Zone blog
    "I think this is an extremely important book for our times. Igniting a Passion for Reading reminds us of what is truly important about teaching and learning." - Room 241 blog
    "The suggestions are quick and easy, and for a teacher who really wants her children to leave her class with a love of reading, this book is a gold mine!" - Timmons Times blog