Class Library and Choice Reading Information 2022-23
Dear Returning and New Middle School Families,
Think back to the last time you were trying to find a book to read - which book did you choose? Why did you want to read that particular book? All of us have different reading lives, and all of us enjoy reading different genres, titles, and authors. I find that to be true with my students as well.
At the end of the 2018-19 school year, I discovered that a majority of my students were not reading for pleasure. When I looked at my classroom library I realized that I did not have enough variety to change this on my own! Since then, through REEF grant funding, PTA funding, and parent donations, I have bought well over five hundred high-interest books. The result of this is a library in which I am proud to have students “shop” for books and it is an easy place to find books to read as they work toward their 20-Book Reading Challenge goal.
One of the things I love about teaching middle schoolers is just how unique they are. The differences in student interests, maturity levels, as well as learning goals are vast and varied. These kids are not only different ages; they arrive at school with different reading abilities, different backgrounds, and different experiences that have shaped their lives in both positive and negative ways. They, therefore, have different needs when it comes to reading. As a teacher, I have a responsibility to serve all of the kids who come to me, and a responsibility to offer literature choices that speak to all of them.
Kids, in general, do a fantastic job of self-selecting books, and when they find they’ve picked up something they’re not ready for, they’re usually quick to put it down and ask for help choosing something else. In fact, I encourage my students to abandon books that are not right for them. I’ll offer recommendations and steer kids toward books that are age and individually appropriate, however self-selecting a book is a pillar of our reading community.
As a parent myself, I want you to know I am sensitive to having appropriate reading material in my classroom library. That said, what is considered “appropriate” may vary from one parent to another. Some parents do not mind their child reading Stephen King; other parents object to the horror genre. As a teacher, I respect your right to help your own child choose reading material, and ask that you respect the rights of other families to do the same. If you object to your child reading a particular book, let me know, send it back, and I’ll help your child find another selection. I’ll put the first book back on the shelf because even though you don’t feel it’s the right book for your child right now, it may be the perfect book for someone else’s child. I would also encourage you to speak to your child about what types of books they feel comfortable reading so that this becomes a part of their selection process as well. If I can ever be of help to you in recommending titles for your family, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Our library has a wide range of choices for kids – to meet all of their varied needs and help them all develop an appreciation of reading. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Finally, thank you for your involvement in your child’s education and for helping to encourage reading growth and engagement.
Warmly,
Rachel Kanz
RCS ELA Teacher