Books Quote by Donalyn Miller
““I don't believe some teachers consider whether their classroom instruction fosters the development of reading habits in their students. Reflecting on the landslide of crossword puzzles, dioramas, annotations, and reading logs assigned to their students for every book they read, teachers might realize that instead of encouraging students to read, these mindless assignments make kids hate reading. Primarily assigned to generate grades and give teachers a false sense that they are holding students accountable for reading, these counterfeit activities—that no wild reader completes on his or her own—guarantee that their students will avoid reading. If we care about our students' reading lives, we must foster their lifelong reading habits and eliminate or reduce the negative influences of classroom practices that don't align with what wild readers do.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Classroom Strategies for Reading Engagement, Donalyn Miller, 2015
Teachers often assign superficial tasks that mimic reading but actually discourage genuine reading enjoyment, leading to aversion rather than habit formation.
In simple terms: Assignments that look like reading can make kids dislike reading.
Key Takeaway
Replace shallow tasks with authentic reading experiences.
Themes
reading
education
habits
motivation
authenticity
Mood
reflective
concerned
optimistic
Type
advice
reflective
educational
When to use this quote
- lesson planning
- curriculum design
- teacher training
- parent communication
Key Concepts
reading engagement
habit formation
student autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we make reading intrinsically rewarding?
- What authentic activities foster lifelong reading?
A Different Perspective
Students may still resist reading if intrinsic motivation isn’t nurtured.
