Tag Archives: independent reading

Reading Spaces (or The Giving Tree pt. 2)

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Kids like to create reading spaces. Remember reading forts, corners, alcoves that you would make with blankets, pillows, chairs, and anything you could find? Flashlights made them even more awesome. And when a make-shift fort isn’t enough, you can make an actual library, as you all saw in the making of Bibliopolis: Minneapolis Branch.

Today’s reading snapshot proves that even the youngest of us can and want to create reading spaces in which we can relax and enjoy our favorite stories. You might remember Ezra from Gracepoint Riverside from the video of Uncle Pastor Ed Kang reading and commenting on The Giving Tree. Apparently he loves this truly sad book, and he likes to enjoy this book during his independent reading times at home.

EzReadingComfy

This is how mom and dad found him. He set this up all by himself! He knows how to get comfy. And he also knows you always need extra books, and a getaway car in your reading space. Just in case.


That smile! It’s not a humorous book in the least, but that’s beside the point. He’s engaged in the story, and he’s creating his own positive reading experiences!

What were/are your or your children’s favorite reading spaces? Share a story below! (Or submit your story by emailing Gracepoint Church Library and maybe it’ll be featured in a future post.) 

 

Stealing Reading Moments: College Student Edition

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This reading snapshot was captured by one of the folks before the Koinonia Berkeley Worship Service last Sunday. These two college students are part of the welcome team, and finished setting up and had nothing to do. So they chose to read! They picked up A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller, which by the way, is a wonderful devotional book with insights from a real modern-day shepherd. (I believe there is a youth book review coming soon.)

They were reading away, and when asked if it was for a discipleship course, or something they were doing with their small group, they said no. One of the guys did disclose something to the effect of, “tbh i forgot my phone today.” Just think, had he not forgotten his phone, who knows if/when he would have ever found the mere 1.5 hours he needed in order to read this great book, and gain deeper appreciation for one of the most beloved psalms from the Bible!

reading college students

Doesn’t this photo just warm your heart? I feel welcomed just looking at it! Don’t worry, they stopped reading and started welcoming people once they started arriving. 🙂

  

Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

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It’s a fine line between Ordinary and Extraordinary. Here at Gracepoint Berkeley church, I’m happy to be part of increasing the momentum of a culture shift, where reading is not only cool, it’s a given. Today’s picture is so mundane to me, but when I take a step back, I recognize the (Extra)ordinary in it. These middle school guys could be lost in the myriad Internet wormholes out there, playing video games, or just otherwise metaphorically or literally rolling around doing nothing. Instead they’re voluntarily coming to a library for independent reading. They don’t get community service points or extra credit for this. We don’t do any special programs. I have classical music playing, and pretty much leave them alone. We just read. (I actually get the most reading done during my times with these guys, so I personally look forward to it. Which some might find extraordinary in and of itself!)

Middle school guys totally in the zone — the auto reading zone — reading books that they *chose* to come to Bibliopolis to read. For an hour! (And some come early, just because.)

What’s your verdict: Ordinary or Extraordinary?Â