43 – Activating Agency to Grow Readers (w Penny Kittle)

Why do so many teenagers hate reading? Renowned author and Literacy advocate Penny Kittle believes it has everything to do with a lack of “book love” and that teachers have the capacity to ignite it. On the episode, she connects with Natalie to discuss how to expose students to a wide variety of books, conference to unlock the reading life, and ultimately, grow student agency by allowing them to make decisions as readers (and writers).

Show Notes:

• An interesting fact about Penny you might not find in her Heineman bio. (4:45)
• Why do so many teenagers hate reading? (7:50)
• How we can both teach the canon and allow choice simultaneously to provide a balance of perspectives in books. (12:40)
• Getting resourceful when your school doesn’t have a library. (16:15)
• Modelling being a reader and honoring the sacred nature of in-class reading time. (18:40)
• The threads to tug on when conferencing with a reader. (24:45)
• Saying less to listen with curiosity and learn more about the reading life. (29:10)
• Who is holding the power in a book? Who is holding power in schools? Whose story are we living in? (34:15)
• Getting out of our students’ way to ignite agency. (42:30)
• Building analytical skills through digital composition. (44:40)
• The purpose of education. (46:00)

View full show notes here!

Penny on Twitter: @pennykittle

Email the Podcast: hello@educrushpod.com

Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod

Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso

Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod

Podcast Website: www.educrushpod.com