Reading Wellness

With so many state standards and demands of accountability, it can be a challenge for teachers to teach in ways that create energy and enthusiasm for reading. In their book, Reading Wellness: Lessons in Independence and Proficiency , authors Dr. Jan Burkins and Kim Yaris want to reignite the passion in teachers and drive them to instill confidence, curiosity, and joy in students.Burkins and Yates define reading wellness to include all aspects of readership so we can be our best reading selves-. The book is built around a framework of four intentions: alignment, balance, sustainability, and joy. It includes a series of field-tested lessons that help children read closely and carefully while still honoring their interests, passions, and agency as readers.Reading Wellness encourages each teacher to shape these ideas in ways that support personal ideals and goals while nurturing a love of reading and a passion for lifelong learning.

Jan Burkins, co-author of Preventing Misguided Reading (IRA, 2010) and Kim Yaris are the writers and thinkers behind Burkins and Yaris -- Think Tank for 21st Century Literacy, where their blog and their instructional resources have drawn a national audience and made them thought leaders in the field of literacy instruction. Both former teachers, Jan and Kim are passionate about helping educators navigate, understand, and teach instructional standards without sacrificing their inner teacher. In their roles as staff developers, they work closely with schools and districts -- facilitating staff development, conducting in-class demonstrations, and developing curriculum.

Introduction How Well are You?; Chapter 1: Love-Authentic Reasons to Read Informational Texts Closely; Chapter 2: Posture-Mindset, Agency, and Hard Work; Chapter 3: Alignment-Working to Make Sense of the Words; Chapter 4: Mindfulness-Reading Closely, Comprehending Deeply; Chapter 5: Strength-Productive Effort and Building Reading Muscle; Chapter 6: Joy-Reading more for the Love of It