Schools

Author Helps Teachers Ignite Passion for Reading

Steven Layne, a prolific author and director of a graduate program at Judson College in Elgin, visited Boulder Hill Elementary School last week to give teachers tips on sparking an interest in reading. He'll be back in February to work with students.

If you think teachers don’t need to go to school, think again.

Last week, educators from all three Oswego School District elementary schools in Montgomery gathered at to learn from a master. His name is Steven Layne, and for about two hours, he shared secret after secret to get kids interested in reading.

Layne is director of the Master of Education in Literacy program at Judson University in Elgin, and has been an educator for more than 15 years. He’s also a prolific author—he’s written more than 20 children’s books, with titles like "P is for Princess" and "My Brother Dan’s Delicious."

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But most of all, he’s a fan of reading, and he presented several ideas to light that particular fire in young children. An animated speaker, Layne had the teachers (from Boulder Hill, and elementary schools) hanging on his every word.

Among his ideas: create a reading café, and bring in some unexpected guest stars. Layne told a story of a group of teachers who drafted a popular coach to read books with the students. What they discovered is that kids will read books if someone they already respect encourages them to.

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“Everyone who chooses to can use their influence to help children,” Layne said.

He also suggested previewing books, since children need time to ramp their brains up before plunging into Chapter One. Previewing, he said, improves comprehension, and helps students become more interested in what they’re reading.

Previewing includes talking about the information on the inside flap, the author’s name, the dedication page, and other parts of the book that tell readers what it’s about. And Layne gives examples at every turn of specific questions teachers can use to spark discussion in class.

“I like to give very specific examples of what this would look like in a classroom,” Layne said. “I like to make it so clear to them that they can go back tomorrow and do this with their students.”

And the teachers agreed. Laura Krantz, a fifth-grade teacher at Boulder Hill Elementary, said teachers there already had a book talk group organized (in the school’s new reading lounge), but had been inspired to invite a popular custodian to join in.

And Laurie Klose, reading specialist at Boulder Hill, said Layne’s presentation fits in nicely with the reading program the school has instituted. The theme is Camp Read S’More, and a mock-up of a campground, with books, has been placed in the lobby of the school.

The teachers won’t get Layne all to themselves. He’ll be back in February to work with students in the school district, according to Boulder Hill Principal Jeff Schafermeyer.


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