5 Ways Students Learn to Love Reading at St. Martin’s
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school library is more than a place to check out books. It is a rich ecosystem of information, technology and special events that together cultivate a lifelong love of reading in its student patrons. At St. Martin’s, the library is a place for students to gather and work independently and collaboratively, research topics within and beyond their curriculum and sit back to relax with a good book. Simply put, it is where children can learn that reading is fun.
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More Than 15,000 Titles The most important way the library inspires a love of reading is through access to an ever-expanding inventory of books. The library’s collection of more than 15,000 paper books and magazines and 12,000 e-books is constantly being updated with the latest and greatest titles to ensure students and faculty can always find what they need for both classroom assignments and personal enjoyment. When a student finishes one book, a school librarian is always ready to point them towards something new whether it’s the next book in their favorite series or to a genre or subject matter they have yet to explore.
Readers CAN Be Choosers When a student feels ownership over their reading life, they are more likely to develop a love for reading. In the library, students are given the opportunity to choose which books they check out (within reason, of course). On occasion, a student will select a book above or below their reading level, but they are always enthusiastic about their choice. The library is especially effective at offering students a break from structured learning to pursue topics of interest. Offering a student the freedom of choice can not only spark a lifelong love of reading, but also of learning.
30 SUMMER 2020 | ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
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HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH A STUDENT WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT A BOOK IS THE BEST PART OF MY JOB AND THE REASON WHY I COME TO WORK EVERYDAY. WE TRY TO MAKE READING FUN. IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS DO ALONE. WE GIVE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO SHARE WHAT THEY’VE BEEN READING WITH THEIR FRIENDS.
