The Book Whisperer

Presentation by: Kristin Brynsvold, Kristina Carpenter, Angie

Mitchell, & Sara Rodgers

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

Introduction

Miller, D. (2009). The Book whisperer:

awakening the inner reader in every
child. San Francisco, Calif:
Jossey-Bass.
mo

Donalyn Miller

6th grade language arts/ social

studies classroom teacher
Blogger

Author of two books:

Education Week Teacher

Nerdy Book Club Blog
The Book Whisperer
Reading in the Wild

Active on Twitter and Facebook

@donalynbooks
The Book Whisperer Page

Independent Reading
Approach

questions, and sometimes

rejects, typical teacher practices
used research-based evidence
(Krashen) to develop a
classroom approach where
reading is the cornerstone
READER'S CHOICE
lifelong readers are the goal
student standardized test scores
match or exceed other students
in the school not following her
methods


Know Your Students as Readers

cannot guide students on their

reading journey if you dont
know them as readers
every student is a reader of
some kind

Developing

Types of Readers

commonly referred to as
struggling readers

Dormant

reluctant readers

read when required but not by

choice

Underground

gifted readers

reading in school is disconnected

from required school reading

reader surveys are the first

step
2 types

Reader Surveys

Reading Interest-A-Lyzer
reading habits
ideal language arts class
interest surveys

insight into preferences and

personalities

Classroom Environment

instead of focusing on planning

units, create an environment
that engages students and
promotes reading
refers to Brian Cambournes
factors that contribute to
successful learning:

immersion
demonstrations
expectations
responsibility
employment
approximations
response
engagement

Making time for independent reading

Stealing Reading Moments
Library Time
Making a Reading Space

Self Selected
Reading
A Must for any Reading
Program

Reading is the cornerstone of what

happens in the classroom.
Students need time to practice the skills
Stephen Krashen states that no single
literacy activity has a more positive
effect on students comprehension,
vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing
ability, and overall academic
achievement than free voluntary
reading.
SSR also improves language acquisition
and competence as communicators.
Increase in test scores.

Stealing Time
There is always time for a good book

Classroom Interruptions - when

that unexpected problem arise train
students to pick up a book
Bell Ringers/Warm-Ups - instead of
giving drill and practices have them
get their minds ready for the day by
reading
When Students are Done - There
is no need to provide work.
Picture Day/Bathroom Lines - all of
those times when you have to
leave your classroom as a whole carry a book

Library Time

Learning the joys of finding your own books.

Understand how to use the

library.
Treat visits like they are special
occasions.
The students are engaged and
focused on finding the books
and then finding a place to read
or share their books.

Reading Nooks
Oh, the places we can read!

Sends a message that reading is

important because you are setting aside
a place.
Provides students with a comfortable
place to read.
Students viewed her entire room as a
place to read which met both of the
goals of a reading nook.
She doesnt say it is a bad idea to have
a reading nook, she just wants her
students to see reading can happen
anywhere.

Quiet Reading Time

Reading time only

Quiet room reinforces the

importance of respecting others
Students also have a time to
talk about books that they want
to share.
Social aspect of reading.

The Rights of the Reader

-by Daniel Pennac
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

The right not to read.

The right to skip pages.
The right to not finish.
The right to reread.
The right to read anything.
The right to escapism.
The right to read anywhere.
The right to browse.
The right to read out loud.
The right not to defend your
tastes.

40 BOOKS!
5 Poetry Anthologies, 5 traditional literature, 5 realistic fiction,
4 fantasy4 informational,
2 historical fiction,, 2 science fiction, 2 mystery, 2
biography/autobiography/memoir,
9 chapter-book choice

It is NOT about the NUMBERS!

Students use these journals to

record their triumphs and struggles
with the books they are reading.

Readers
Notebook

Tally List - column list with

genre and number of titles
required.
Reading List- Students list all
the books theyve read or
abandoned.
Books-to-Read List - Shopping
list or plan.
Response Entries- Students
reflect on their personal
reactions and the teacher
responds.

Walking the Walk

If you want kids to read, you are going to have to be a reader yourself!

Walk the Walk

If you want your students to

read, you must be a reader too!
Change your habits to read
more
Read what your students read
so you can do better readers
advisory.
Take recommendations from
everyone!
Share your struggles and
triumphs and most of all your

Educational Policy Leader Richard Elmore calls the typical

practices of a classroom unexamined wallpaper These are
the practices and policies that are so entrenched in school
culture or a teachers style that they never question the true
learning outcome, they just do it. If you keep doing the same
thing over and over you cant expect new results. If reading
scores arent improving then you need to think about how you
are teaching it.

Old Practices

and the problems with them.

Whole Class Novels - One size

doesnt fit all
Comprehension Tests Doesnt help grow readers
Book reports - Isnt the way to
promote books
Reading Logs - So many
problems
Round Robin/Popcorn Reading
Incentive Programs Cheapens the idea of reading

Alternatives

Promoting Reading

Teach readers, not books

Treat test taking as a reading
genre
Book Reviews/Commercials
Expanding Reading in Class
Give students freedom within
the structure of reading
requirements
Book buddies/books on tape
Teach reading is its own
reward

What happens after sixth grade?

Miller spends a whole year nurturing

her students and watching them grow
7th Grade: return to whole-class
novels, worksheets, and no or little
free reading time

Letting Go

What are we preparing them for?

Miller IS preparing her students--for

life
The focus of school should not be to
prepare students for more school
applicable skills

Fighting the Culture

Miller knows she is doing the best thing

possible, but . . .
is the only one teaching this way
still gets nervous about tests

Teaches many of the same things as

other teachers, just differently

Students continue to visit after 6th

grade is over

To keep our students reading, we have to

let them.

School librarians are a vital part of

Millers mission.

Use reading surveys to build your collection

based on student interests
Lead professional development sessions
Give students free choice in the library (even if
their teacher has other rules)
Provide students with free reading time in the
library
Provide access to the library during students
free time
Lead afternoon reading sessions for students
and parents
Bookclub
ADVOCATE!
for independent reading time every day

for regular library visits, especially for

younger students

Librarians role

Bibliography