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From a Casual Reader to a Passionate Reader

11/16/2017

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Here’s a very simple question for you; Are you a casual reader or a passionate reader?!? To help you answer this question let’s analyze the characteristics of these traits:
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I used to be a casual reader. I read because I had to, not because I enjoyed it. I own these books here because they were required readings during my undergrad and grad school teaching courses. I kept them because I found them very useful and I’ve used them for the past few years as resources and recommendations.
However, not one book in there I purchased because of a desire to read and gain knowledge.

My life as a reader was sad and pitiful. I didn’t realize it until I read this quote by Pernille Ripp’s: “...if reading is merely something we teach, and not something we live, then why should students take us seriously when we tell them how important reading is to future success.”

Now, if you are a teacher, you probably own hundreds of children’s books...at least I do. I’m always on the lookout for the latest and best books to use in lessons and to encourage my students to read more. Our job as educators is to grow readers and instill how import reading is to their academic success. In reality, I was not living what I was teaching my students. The expectation I had for them, I didn’t have it for myself. I realized that I was being a hypocrite. I was trying to inspire my students to do something I wasn’t passionate about.

Pernille Ripp’s words hit me so hard that I started looking for ways to change my reading habits. Of course, to make such drastic change, I realized I couldn’t do it alone and that my readings needed to be intentional to be able to grow as a reader.
So I’d like to highlight the platforms that helped me become a Passionate Reader:

  1. Book Study via Twitter: #ELLchat_BkClub is the hashtag for a slow-chat book study initiated by  Dr. Katie Toppel and Tan Huynh. I started dipping my toes in this book study without participating and without having the books until I realized that participants were so passionate about sharing their learning. When I noticed I was missing out just by observing, I ordered my first book and joined the conversations. Now, I am hooked! I am in my fourth round and looking forward to continuing joining future selections. I love and enjoy reading other’s perspectives on the same text I am reading. I’ve learned so much and I have added so many tools to my ESL toolbox to better support my language learners.
             Follow this link to learn more about this fantastic reading club.


  1. Twitter Chats: Over the summer, I discovered #BookCampPD. BookcampPD is a weekly Saturday morning chat where participants passionately share their readings. This group chat is moderated by Teresa ( @teresagross625) and Meredith (@mjjohnson1216).                         Let me be honest and share with you what inspired me to join this group chat...Badges!! Yes, you read that correctly; badges!! I noticed that the chat moderators were giving away badges to participants. The inner child in me wanted a badge...I’m being honest! Somehow I felt like I needed to be rewarded for all my readings. I was new to this reading life...I was starting to discover the passion for reading and sharing my learning. I was empowered by my previous readings to participate in a group of passionate readers. It made me feel so good to have a place and an opportunity to share what I’ve learned through my Twitter book study. ​
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These are all the badges I earned over the summer!
Though it was very nice to get these badges, it was the relationship I built with the group participants that encouraged me to continue participating in the chats. Ever since I’ve joined this group chat, I’ve added so many more books to my bookshelf...and the list keeps growing. I am learning to LOVE reading. I am buying books because I want to experience what others are experiencing when reading their recommended books. I make time every day to read my books. I am also enjoying sharing what I find interesting in a book using #bookSnaps, Padlet and blogging about my readings. I am growing as a reader, as a person, and as a professional.
​I am just a book and a chat away from the perfect personalized professional development I can ask for.
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My Fall and Winter are already looking great with these fantastic chats lined up for us!
Now, #BookcampPD is offering even more opportunities of engagement by adding the VOXER PD version of book chat!! I learned to use this new app and love hearing other’s books recommendations and perspectives on their readings.

You see, the platforms, the tools, and passionate readers are out there ready for you to join their passion!! I would love for you to check out these two hashtags and join the fun conversations; however, my intention is to ignite in you the passion for reading. The passion for starting and finishing a book to happily find someone to share it with. The passion to get lost in a book. Perhaps these inspirational reading quotes can also inspire you!
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I feel very confident encouraging you to read because I am now a PASSIONATE READER!

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” ~ R. G. Collingwood


Happy reading!  

Thank you for reading!! 
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