Musings from a middle school reading specialist. I encourage my students to read, talk, write, and have fun!
I parent two amazing young-adult daughters with my husband of 30+ years.

April 18, 2016

The Reading Nest #SOL16

Each Tuesday, visit Two Writing Teachers
to read more slices or join our community of writers!
Be brave :)

It's April.  We have less than 30 days of school (yes, we will finish in MAY!)
and my little "birds" are flap, flap, flapping their "reading wings."

I, the sweet, smiling enabler, take on a new persona every spring.
My little birds are not very happy with me.

I become the mama robin
who has sat on the eggs in my nest
keeping them warm and safe from predators.

My little birds are chirp, chirp, chirping
hungry for more words,
longer books 
("Can I have a chapter book, please?")

Their reading wings are the strongest they have been all year.
They really don't want to try to fly.
They are too scared, but
I begin to nudge them closer to the edge of the nest.

When they look at me with big, worried eyes, 
waiting for me to help them with a tricky word,
I pause, I count in my head, I prompt them,
"You try."
They can usually get the word, but I'll whisper help if they need it.

Some of my brood are stronger than others.  
They teeter on the edge of the nest,
encouraging their fellow "feathered" friends
to join them in a trial "flight" with a book.

These birds are ready for short flights on their own.
They refuse to wait for an introduction to the text - 
they jump right in and begin reading on their own,
usually leaving the safety of the table for a comfy spot on the floor
where they exclaim,
"I can read it by myself!"

Some birds need a bigger push towards the edge.  
These are the birds that I will welcome
back to the nest in August.
These are the birds that need more meals
of strategies, easier texts and positive reading experiences.

I will always be back at the nest
where the little ones can find me
amid a variety of juicy texts.

From McHenry County


4 comments:

  1. Chris, love your analogy and how true it is with a teacher and her students. The assurance and gentle push, the encouragement and assistance - just like a mama bird. Great slice! Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aw, I love this analogy too, Chris! This is one of my top ten slices because I can so relate with my little reading birds hungry for the juicy books! I like my reading nest. Thanks for helping me see my role in a new light this spring! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wish I could come up with great analogies like that! I love watching readers mature and grow.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so great and a creates such a wonderful picture of your kids. I can just see you sitting next to them as their momma bird, nudging them to fly. I'm sure by May they will all be soaring!

    ReplyDelete