Igniting a passion for reading

How do you teach a child to want to read? How do you light that fire? Steven Layne's remarkable book has lots of ideas. Our schools put lots of  attention and money towards teaching the following: phonics, fluency, comprehension, semantics, and syntax. Almost no professional development exists on helping teachers instill: interest, attitude, motivation and engagement
about reading. I believe his is right. You can teach the mechanics of reading, but the real work begins when you try to motivate and engage students in reading. One suggestion that Steven has is to develop that connection with the child with these words: When I saw this book I thought of you. Those are powerful words to a child. Think of all you are saying with those words: You are important, reading is important, I am always looking for books especially for you. Reading Igniting a Passion For Reading inspired me to learn more about Steven Layne's children's books. I had never heard of him before. I took a bunch of his books out of the library. He's written some great books for the upper elementary grades. I really liked Teachers' Night Before Halloween...very funny. Christine