Creating and Sustaining a
Schoolwide Culture of Reading
Melissa Thom�Bristow Middle School, West Hartford, CT
Website: https://www.melissathom.com
Email: joyfullearning@melissathom.com�Twitter: @msthombookitis
*Please be conscious about sharing any photos of students!
A Little About Me
https://goo.gl/MRFYb8
A way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization.
-Webster Dictionary
Definition of Culture
Teachers who create a culture of reading consistently reinforce a mindset, system, and set of habits that draw students into rich lives as literate citizens. --Dawson, 12
Identify a continuum of actions you can take ranging from easy to challenging.
Stay focused on the positive!
Always keep the big picture in mind, but try to avoid the ‘squirrel’ mentality and doing everything at once.
Book Talks
There is something about hearing another person's heart that creates a special connection. The same is true for books. --Brad Gustafson
Book Talk Tools
Create a Book Review Club
Create a Birthday Book Club
Add an Email Signature
Kids Lit Quiz
Nerdies Book Club
Nerdies Book Club
I am on a mission make people rethink their definition of a nerd!
Promote & Participate in Community Events
Get ALL Students a Public Library Card
What are some things you are already doing to help build a schoolwide culture of reading?
Turn and Talk
Building a culture of readers involved taking the risk of ceding power to the students. It means empowering students to manage their own learning and measure their own progress. --Dawson, 14
Book Tastings
Visit my Book Tasting Webpage for more info!
Strategies--#WTS*
“Two Truths and a Lie” author Google Hangout! Find out more.
*What’s the Solution
Strategies--#WTS
Strategies--#WTS
Strategies--#WTS
Issue
Staff Meetings
Invite Staff to Display Their Reading Lives
Find “Your People” on Staff Who Share your Passion
Global Read Aloud
Issue:
Continuously Grow Your PLN:
Consume--Produce--Share
CONSUME Info & Knowledge
PRODUCE Info & Knowledge
SHARE
Info & Knowledge
Social Media: Hastags and Organizations
#cultureofreading
#melissasgoldenlines
#globalreadaloud
#booklove
#nerdcampLI
(A Few) People to Follow
Brad Gustafson
Elementary School Principal
@GustafsonBrad
Joyce Valenza
Library World Rockstar
@joycevalenza
Billy Spicer
Instructional Coach
@MrBillySpicer
Idelle Melamed
Nancy Brown
K-5 Librarians
@pattonlmc
@olivelmc
Attend Book-Related Events
Issue:
Unable to pay for outside PD or administration does not support request to leave.
Participate in online PD that is often FREE!
Participate in online PD that is often FREE!
Additional Ideas
Collaboration with Spanish teacher
Issue
Ideas
Other ideas?
Issue
Issue
Issue:
Students often don’t have a habit of keeping a book with them.
Get Caught Reading
Issue:
Library is used as a study hall for students who can’t participate in Gym or need to calm down and regroup.
Ride and Read
For more info: http://www.readandride.org/
Hold the End of Year Staff Party in the Library
Facilitate Staff Book Swap for Summer Reading
Book Recommendations
It’s All About the Books
Ideas from
Clare and Tammy
(pgs. 96-98)
SHARE
Be an ACTIVE participant: Share some ideas for BOTH strategies and issues on your sticky note!
(virtually OR hardcopy)!
Find “Your People”
and Be Joyful
Access my resources: