Let's Talk About Books!

Funded Sep 18, 2024

Thanks to your contribution, I truly see the enthusiasm in my students as they participate in Literature Circles. Twice a week we drop everything and read our novel for 20 minutes. By this time, students have all been assigned roles in their groups. For example, the Word Wizard finds "juicy," or unknown words, the Summarizer, recalls the main event(s) that occurred in the reading, and the Connector, connects events in the book to their own experiences, another book, or the outside world. The students take a few minutes to write in their reading journal the work pertaining to their role just before engaging in collaborative conversations. The book, "City of Ember," has been a tremendous hit! With the addition of the graphic novel, the students can't get enough of it. The students that are reading the actual novel like to refer to it to see the illustrations. I've never experienced students wanting to go to the public library so they can move ahead on their own to discover what happens next. Even our media specialist mentioned that my students were requesting the book!

Not long ago we participated in a read marathon. When I asked my students to grab a favorite book, the graphic novels were quickly taken from their baskets. Some of my students have commented that they love the illustrations because it helps them understand the story better. Mission accomplished!

The other novel that we've recently started reading is "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Since we have a school wide storybook theme, one of my colleagues decorated her door based on this book, and as my students have gotten through a few chapters they are making connections with the scenes she has on display. Without a doubt this book hooks the reader. My most unmotivated readers are glued to the pages of this book, and so is their teacher! They are incredibly focused. What a refreshing sight, because you donated.

As we enter the second semester, the students will determine the next novel their group will read from the Donors Choose selections. The students truly are responding to the books better than I could have imagined. I am extremely motivated to continue Literature Circles, and I look forward to the positive impacts your contributions will continue to make as we move forward this school year; and beyond.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Lambert