Our primary focus is fostering and creating a JOY of reading. We do this by:

• Allowing students to choose what they read.

• Making reading a priority in the classroom by devoting 20 – 25 min to silent reading on a daily basis.

• Having a wide assortment of literature available in the classroom.

• Working one-on-one with struggling readers.

• Selling” books through daily Book Talks.

• Our priority is creating an EMPATHETIC environment in the classroom.

• Many of our novels are concerned with Social Justice issues.

• Students reflect on and discuss relevant social issues every day in class.

• Topics include: Media bias and fake news, Racism, Classism, Sexism, Ableism, Bullying, the COVID-19 Pandemic, the impact of technology on teens' lives, consumerism and many more!

• Students reflect on both their reading and their writing every day in class.

• We practice reading strategies such as: Connecting, Inferring, Predicting, Questioning, Ranking, and Visualizing.

• Students are placed in small groups to share their understanding.

• Students are encouraged to share their ideas, question and debate each other.

• Kids enjoy reading more because they are free to select their own novels.

• Creates independent readers.

• Easily identifies students who struggle in reading and allows teachers to intervene on their behalf.

• Increases reading stamina, confidence and engagement.

• Diverse class library provides students with the opportunity to think about and discuss relevant issues every day in class.