The classroom library is the closest, easiest, and often the coziest place for my students to find their next book. Whenever one of my students complains that she has nothing to read, I can always point her to a few beloved titles that I think she'll enjoy. However, especially with my less advanced readers, I am often met with the response, "No, I've already looked through your books, and they're all boring/old/long/hard/etc." These students are, of course, making sweeping generalizations and literally judging these books by their covers. On the other hand, they're right about the fact that most of my books were published at least a decade ago, or else are so popular that most kids have already read them in fourth or fifth grade.
My kids need fresh, recently-published books, written by diverse authors, exploring relevant and high-interest topics. They need to glance at my classroom library and see shining, colorful hardback books in good condition. When a kid can pick up a brand new book and feel like it's a Christmas present ready to be opened, he will associate that joyful feeling with the joyful act of reading. New books are magical!
So many wonderful middle-grade novels have been published in the past two years. These books include a wide variety of cultural perspectives; they feature protagonists who are African American, Hispanic, or Asian, who might come from unconventional families, who overcome disabilities or emotional challenges. These stories are powerful because more of my students can relate to these characters - they look like them, talk like them, experience life like them. These are the stories that can turn a disinterested student into an avid reader. These are the stories that develop lifelong literacy skills through a lifelong love of reading.
About my class
The classroom library is the closest, easiest, and often the coziest place for my students to find their next book. Whenever one of my students complains that she has nothing to read, I can always point her to a few beloved titles that I think she'll enjoy. However, especially with my less advanced readers, I am often met with the response, "No, I've already looked through your books, and they're all boring/old/long/hard/etc." These students are, of course, making sweeping generalizations and literally judging these books by their covers. On the other hand, they're right about the fact that most of my books were published at least a decade ago, or else are so popular that most kids have already read them in fourth or fifth grade.
My kids need fresh, recently-published books, written by diverse authors, exploring relevant and high-interest topics. They need to glance at my classroom library and see shining, colorful hardback books in good condition. When a kid can pick up a brand new book and feel like it's a Christmas present ready to be opened, he will associate that joyful feeling with the joyful act of reading. New books are magical!
So many wonderful middle-grade novels have been published in the past two years. These books include a wide variety of cultural perspectives; they feature protagonists who are African American, Hispanic, or Asian, who might come from unconventional families, who overcome disabilities or emotional challenges. These stories are powerful because more of my students can relate to these characters - they look like them, talk like them, experience life like them. These are the stories that can turn a disinterested student into an avid reader. These are the stories that develop lifelong literacy skills through a lifelong love of reading.
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