Reading is Social

Yesterday.
Kids reading book, magazine, article, comic, etc. of choice.
Daily pleasure reading routine.
Purposeful.
They like.
They draw or write a summary afterward.
They talk about it daily after about 20 minutes.
Routine.
Yesterday.
Teacher (me) hands out Scholastic catalogues.
Kids begin chattering.
Teacher wants to bring the class back on track.
Nope.
Sit.
Observe.
Kid chatter: books, prices, excitement, circling what they want, comparing prices, comparing desires, comparing books with movie versions.
Teacher really really wants to bring the class back.
Nope.
Sit.
Observe.
Listen.
Watch.
But they're supposed to be reading.
THEY ARE.
CALM DOWN TEACHER.
Not only reading, but discussing, comparing prices (math), reasoning (I only have $5 though).
Good stuff.
Let it happen.
You know that you give them times to move, run, dance, talk, sing, paint, draw, etc. during ELA, Math, Social Studies and Science.
You know that you're tough as nails.
This isn't a sign of weakness.
It's OK.
Reading can be social. (Book clubs, talks in barbershop about news/articles, tweeting is reading/writing and is def social).
15 minutes.
Brought them back.
Discussed what you observed.
Kids excited about getting books and reading.
Mission accomplished.
Go Flem!
Go 207!
Go 3rd grade!