We've spent the last few weeks getting to know the kids in our classrooms.  We are now moving into establishing learning routines as we begin to delve into curriculum and learning.  Kids are learning to make good-fit book choices.  We, as teachers, are trying to learn who our kids are as readers.  As I work with students who are reluctant to read, I find that often they are reluctant to read because they haven't found the book yet. They aren't sure of themselves as readers, and many of them have a skewed vision of what reading is.  As a teacher who hated reading as a kid, I understand this.  I know that dreaded  feeling of having to read out loud, or read the assigned book, or take a test at the end of the chapter.

Last year I took on a group of second graders. Out of curiosity, I wanted them to draw me a picture of what they thought reading looking like.  I was amazed at how most of the drew a picture of someone in their class they thought was a good reader.  It wasn't even a picture of themselves.  This year, I wanted to make sure I got a good overall picture of the kids I work with.  I was reminded of my drawing activity while reading an article from Choice Literacy.  This article referenced a DART activity---Draw A Reader Test.  Students were asked to draw a picture of a reader reading.  I had all of my kids do this activity and was still surprised by the responses.  This is a great activity to get to know your kids and really compliments the reading attitude and interest survey.  It's a long process to get to know your kids as readers and these activities are some great ways to get started and get good insight.

DART- Draw A Reader Test
Garfield Reading Attitude Survey