Culture of Reading is Worth Reading
I just read a newly released book from Solution Tree, an education publisher I admire. Leading a Culture of Reading, by Lorraine Radice, surpassed my expectations. The further I read, the more impressed I became with Dr. Radice’s methods for building lasting community around reading and books. She’s carried out her ideas in real schools. This is a well organized reference for educators building an inclusive culture of joyful reading across a classroom, district or entire school system. Plan to read this book slowly because there are a LOT of great ideas you may want to try.
Culture Lays the Foundation
This is not a book about teaching students how to read. If you are an educator who is doing the crucial work of teaching students to read, I encourage you to also consider how a school-wide positive vibe around reading supports what you do. Building that culture of reading is what Radice set out to do in her district, and the journey she’s recorded here for our benefit. It’s specific, practical and effective. She doesn’t directly address dyslexia, as that’s not her topic, but her ideas mesh well with my experience.
Teacher, Project Lead, Counselor, Administrator
The book shares how Dr. Radice built a culture of reading in her district. It ALSO shares the creative ways other people joined in, each in their own sphere of influence. If you are tasked with raising literacy levels in your school or district, this book is like having Dr. Radice hold your hand and guide you through each step to building a joyful reading community. She shows how reading culture connects people. For her, reading is NOT a solitary endeavor.
Attention, Education Professors!
Leading a Culture of Reading would make a superb resource book if used as a text for a college course. It combines a variety of voices in education without overwhelming. It’s on-the-ground practical and usable. The hard stuff is not ignored. It’s a step-by-step guide to raising reading joy and literacy levels in groups of people, whether children or adults, or both.
Professional Development
Finally, if you’re looking for professional development material that actually makes a difference for teachers and students, this book provides quality material. Great ideas abound. For example; book tastings, kindergarten book parades, author visits, and parent/caregiver academies on reading at home. The book includes ready-made forms, parent/teacher/student communications, and task lists. Dr. Radice did the research and on the ground testing, with true concern for teacher workload and student home issues. Now all you have to do is implement it.
Tradition, not Trend
Lorraine Radice shares, “Building reading culture is not a trend— I repeat, not a trend. Building culture is about traditions. It is not something packaged you can purchase. It is an ongoing embedded commitment in your school or classroom and daily functioning. Sustainability is important for all stakeholders, especially students, as the commitment to reading is part of the identity of your learning community.”
As you can tell by now, I highly recommend Leading a Culture of Reading for any teacher or school administrator.
Book Review by Yvonna Graham, M.Ed.; DyslexiaKit.net
Co-author of Dyslexia Tool Kit: What to do when phonics isn’t enough