We were supposed to be getting ready for student-led conferences. I was supposed to also be reading aloud. we were supposed to be talking writing then. But all I could think of was the big pile of book sitting on the bean table, screaming for me to introduce them.
The kids had already poked around. Some had cautiously asked if they were for the library. One child had squealed in delight when she saw an old friend.
So I stopped everything. Asked them for their eyes and ears, reminded them to grab their thoughtful logs and flip to their “What I want to read next” list. And then I began. 12 new Roald Dahl books begged for me to share my love for them and so I did. Even though I thought they had all read them, how could they not?
After 25 glorious minutes of introducing the 30 new books, one student raised her hand, “Can we take them now?” “Sure…” and before the last sound had escaped my lips, 27 students were surrounding me, hungrily grabbing that book that they wanted. Rocks, paper, scissors happened over particular books, other children weren’t quite sure. So as I pushed one book after another into the hands of waiting students, I knew. This is why we stop the program, this is why we deviate from the plan, because are great books to be read and shared, and sometimes that can’t wait.
I am a passionate (female) 5th grade teacher in Wisconsin, USA, proud techy geek, and mass consumer of incredible books. Creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI, and believer in all children. I have no awards or accolades except for the lightbulbs that go off in my students’ heads every day. First book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classroom Back to Our Students Starting Today” will be released this fall from PLPress. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.
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Pernille Ripp 
Beautifully written! I’m glad your students are so enthusiastic about reading!
Wonderful blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform
like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
Any tips? Bless you!