The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

128 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 have recently read (Heinig, Personal interview) and tell students in front of the class that she thinks the student should read a certain book because the student would really enjoy it. The more a teacher tells her students about books that she is reading and really likes, the more it fosters a desire for the students to read those books as well. This amplifies many times if a student does read the teacher’s suggestion and loves it, because they in turn will promote it to other students. Promoting a book allows a student to take pride in their reading and makes them want to keep reading. Teachers can also devote class time to reading. Even if this only occurs once a week, giving middle school students time to read allows even non- readers to “get into a book” (Libby Heinig, Personal interview). Once a student is involved in a book, then they prove more likely to continue reading, which is the teacher’s initial goal. Because starting a new book often intimidates students, scheduling reading time in class combats a sense of overwhelming difficulty. It provides a safe environment where students only have to read a few pages; they do not need to finish the entire book. Both of these methods foster a love for reading as well as keep the difficulty of assignments at an appropriately manageable level. Finally, a teacher can grow a love for reading in his students by developing a goal for future difficulty appropriate reading. An easy way to do this is for teachers to create a place for their students to note book titles that sound interesting to them—most likely these are books which their peers have promoted to them. If the students have a special place which gives these future reads a place of honor, then the anticipation of reading these books builds, adding to the overall enjoyment of reading. Another way to promote future reading is to take the students to a book fair where they can pick out a new book to buy. According to Libby Heinig, middle school students read more passionately when they personally own the book. A student interviewed for the ENG-1400 composition survey stated that she too was most excited about reading when her teacher took her to the school’s book fair (Archambault, Personal interview). The concept of a new book somehow instills passion. This is also true in my personal experience. I found books from school somewhat interesting but if I read a book that my parents bought especially for