Helping Your Middle Schooler Learn to Love Reading

Numerous studies show that reading for pleasure has many benefits. It is linked to clearer thinking, better decision-making and problem-solving skills, and even stress reduction. In addition, it expands the imagination, improves concentration and vocabulary, and teaches the reader about the world around them.

By the time students get to middle school, reading for pleasure drops off dramatically. Additionally, many students spend a considerable amount of time in the digital world, mostly on social media or gaming. So, how do you get middle school students to put down their devices and pick up a book? Here are some ideas to foster your child’s love of reading:

• Allow your child to choose what they read, and provide access to books about things that interest them.

• Keep books in the house. Kids who have access to lots of books read more. If your family has an e-reader, keep it stocked with new books.

• Set a good example by reading yourself. Parents who read more have kids who read more.

• Creating a mini "book club" with your kids by reading the same book is another excellent way to share your love of reading, as well as providing a great opportunity to foster conversation with your child.

For more tips, check out Common Sense Media’s How to Motivate a Middle School Reader and Scholastic Parent’s 20 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Interested in Reading.

On Monday, March 28th, award-winning author, Jerry Craft, visited Smith School!

Jerry Craft is the best-selling and award-winning author of New Kid and Class Act. He holds the esteem of having the first graphic novel to ever win the John Newberry Medal.

Each grade level attended an assembly where Jerry Craft spoke about his experiences as a young person with reading & how he struggled to find books he connected with, and how that led to him becoming an award-winning author.

Jerry Craft imparted plenty of wisdom and inspiration to students about the confidence they must have in themselves in order to succeed, saying to students “Some people look for reasons why they can’t do something, I look for reasons why I can.”

In addition, Jerry Craft gave drawing demonstrations so students could get a first-hand look at his artwork, and he fielded questions from our students.

The visit culminated in a lunch with a group of 20 students where Jerry answered more questions, did another perspective drawing demonstration, and gave additional insights on his journey as an author and future books.

A huge thank you to our PTO for their help in making this year's author visit possible!

The Smith library brought back the 'Reader Raffle' challenge once again this year! For every book a student checked out in the month of March, they earned a raffle ticket entry for a chance to win an Amazon gift card! The lucky students chosen were Emma Kinch, Safa Ashraf, and Luciana Bellapianta! (Above)

After researching methods abolitionists used to refute perspectives held on the institution of slavery, 7th grade students in Ms. Ung & Ms. Paone's classes evaluated the power of corroboration, then reflected on how this movement contributed to the Civil War in the form of a Gallery Walk (Above, Right)

As we approach the spring season we’re kindly asking that if any of your children have seasonal spring allergies and they require any medications to be given in school for the symptoms, please complete the following medication authorization form, https://www.ramsey.k12.nj.us/cms/lib/NJ02000378/Centricity/Domain/336/Medication_Authorization_Form_2017.pdf

Some of you have provided this information already, but often, as spring rolls around, this doesn’t become an issue until the child is symptomatic.

Please note that nebulizers cannot be administered in school but inhalers can be used.

We do not want to have to exclude children from school because they are suffering from allergy symptoms.

It will be helpful to have children take necessary medication at home prior to arriving at school so their symptoms are controlled.