The common wisdom to draw in middle grade readers is to excite them, and focus on their interests. This means keeping up with trends and having one's finger on the pulse of pop culture. The common wisdom is true and important, but the trouble is, it's dismissive of many classic books. Reading an oldie but goodie can be a good idea. Many new teachers fear that focusing on older books is out of touch and even self-centered, but done right I feel the opposite is true.
Students have a right to keep up with the trends of their peers, but that can mean they wind up with a narrow focus.
A couple of months ago, at my other library, the fifth graders were getting restless. There were five minutes left of class, and the work was complete. It was that awful span of time which is too short to do something, but too long to do nothing. So out of sheer panic I pulled out Robert C. O'Brien's Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of NIMH. We had been working on fantasy and non-fiction anyway, but I assumed they wouldn't like the book. Agriculture and forest life aren't part of their world, they've outgrown anthropomorphic animals, and the writing was slightly old fashioned.
They were rapt. I couldn't believe how still and quiet they became. It was so successful that I continued reading it to them and another fifth grade class. Why did they like this dusty old book so much? It has a good, exciting plot, which transcends pratically everything else. So never assume that students don't want their horizons broadened, or that they can't appreciate something from the past.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Stickman Odyssey
I always set aside some money to buy things for my library, buying book care supplies, decorations, lesson materials, and of course, books. Well guess what's in the mail, everyone?
I ordered this graphic novel, as well as its sequel. It came highly recommended from School Library Journal. Here is their synopsis:
Add a little fun to your explorations with Christopher Ford’s entertaining graphic novel, Stickman Odyssey: An Epic Doodle (2011; Gr 5 Up). Banished from Sticatha by an evil throne-seizing witch, “far-wandering” Zozimos is determined to find his way home and claim his rightful place as king. However, along the way, the young hero is waylaid by mighty monsters (he cleverly defeats the gigantic Cyclops-like Boetheos by barfing in his eye), embroiled in breathtaking battles (bravely brandishing his stick sword), and met by challenges that test his courage and perseverance (along with his skill at talking to girls). Ford’s stick-figure characters possess boundless energy and plenty of expression, and the script percolates with snarky dialogue, hilarious expletives (“BY ZEUS’ BUTT!”), and loads of irreverent humor. The action certainly is epic, and numerous (and comically skewed) references to the original are integrated into the plot. For example, Athena intervenes in the affairs of mortals with a few deft strokes of a giant pen (e.g., doodling out a raft for her protégé), and during a perilous ocean journey, Zosimos’s cohorts plug their ears with wax—not to protect themselves from the sirens’ song but to drown out their leader’s complaining. Students will enjoy making comparisons to Odysseus’s adventures and teasing out corresponding themes, characters, and images. The antics continue in Book Two: The Wrath of Zozimos (2012, both Philomel)
My students love graphic novels, fantasy, Greek mythology, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid and these books are all four rolled into one. Graphic novels are a great draw for reluctant readers and I expect this pair will circulate well. I'll also have reason to teach them more content knowledge so they catch more of the puns. Can't wait for them to arrive!
I ordered this graphic novel, as well as its sequel. It came highly recommended from School Library Journal. Here is their synopsis:
Add a little fun to your explorations with Christopher Ford’s entertaining graphic novel, Stickman Odyssey: An Epic Doodle (2011; Gr 5 Up). Banished from Sticatha by an evil throne-seizing witch, “far-wandering” Zozimos is determined to find his way home and claim his rightful place as king. However, along the way, the young hero is waylaid by mighty monsters (he cleverly defeats the gigantic Cyclops-like Boetheos by barfing in his eye), embroiled in breathtaking battles (bravely brandishing his stick sword), and met by challenges that test his courage and perseverance (along with his skill at talking to girls). Ford’s stick-figure characters possess boundless energy and plenty of expression, and the script percolates with snarky dialogue, hilarious expletives (“BY ZEUS’ BUTT!”), and loads of irreverent humor. The action certainly is epic, and numerous (and comically skewed) references to the original are integrated into the plot. For example, Athena intervenes in the affairs of mortals with a few deft strokes of a giant pen (e.g., doodling out a raft for her protégé), and during a perilous ocean journey, Zosimos’s cohorts plug their ears with wax—not to protect themselves from the sirens’ song but to drown out their leader’s complaining. Students will enjoy making comparisons to Odysseus’s adventures and teasing out corresponding themes, characters, and images. The antics continue in Book Two: The Wrath of Zozimos (2012, both Philomel)
My students love graphic novels, fantasy, Greek mythology, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid and these books are all four rolled into one. Graphic novels are a great draw for reluctant readers and I expect this pair will circulate well. I'll also have reason to teach them more content knowledge so they catch more of the puns. Can't wait for them to arrive!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Avoiding Reading Insecurity
One of my students today, eager to feel some concrete progress in her education, kept bringing me incredibly hard books to check out. I had her try the five finger rule to show her that her choices were far above her grade level. She was indignant and upset. Any alternative I showed her she said was far too easy. After about ten minutes of negotiation, I found one that was slightly too hard for her, but not impossible for her to read. The real issue is, two of her friends are advanced readers and she felt insecure that she wasn't on their level, even though she was close. She felt frustrated and insecure.
This is a common problem in my library, and indeed, all the classrooms and home as well. When an adult says "It's not a race" children simply don't believe it. When they notice they are behind, they are embarassed. They then start to check out books above their level, and without progress, eventually start refusing to read at all. We only enjoy activities where we feel some success and progress, so frustrated readers often turn their backs on books.
There are a couple strategies I use to prevent reading insecurity. I take a look at nonfiction books if they have particular interests, like animals. With their exciting pictures and valuable information, nonfiction books are great for reluctant readers. If a student is passionate about cheetahs, he won't worry about the book's grade level being low. Graphic novels have quite a lot of text in them, and students of all levels enjoy them, so lower readers don't feel inadequate checking them out.
The trick is to be kind and discreet, and letting students know that they aren't alone in their struggle to read. They needn't be ashamed- just keep working to get better every day. And most students truly want to do that.
This is a common problem in my library, and indeed, all the classrooms and home as well. When an adult says "It's not a race" children simply don't believe it. When they notice they are behind, they are embarassed. They then start to check out books above their level, and without progress, eventually start refusing to read at all. We only enjoy activities where we feel some success and progress, so frustrated readers often turn their backs on books.
There are a couple strategies I use to prevent reading insecurity. I take a look at nonfiction books if they have particular interests, like animals. With their exciting pictures and valuable information, nonfiction books are great for reluctant readers. If a student is passionate about cheetahs, he won't worry about the book's grade level being low. Graphic novels have quite a lot of text in them, and students of all levels enjoy them, so lower readers don't feel inadequate checking them out.
The trick is to be kind and discreet, and letting students know that they aren't alone in their struggle to read. They needn't be ashamed- just keep working to get better every day. And most students truly want to do that.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Daughter of Earth
School Library Journal has a lovely tribute article to Caldecott award winning author and illustrator, Gerald McDermott. He died on December 26 at the age of 71. I only found out recently, and was terribly sad to hear it. There is one book of his that I use frequently for all the grades in my library. Even the 5th and 6th graders are still enchanted with it. It's unlike McDermott's usual work, it is obscure, and tragically, out of print. Daughter of Earth: A Roman Myth tells the Roman version of Persephone and Hades, or, in their Latin names, Proserpina and Pluto.
Children of all ages are enthralled by Greco-Roman mythology. It's a great way to help them on their path to cultural literacy, giving them much needed content knowledge to succeed in high school and college. This breathtaking picture book has striking, colorful illustrations that clearly tell the story. I'm floored that it didn't win a Caldecott, and indeed, went out of print. So if you find this book used online, or in a second hand bookstore, or at a flea market, grab it and treasure it.
For a fun, here is a link to the most adorable, child friendly site about Greek mythology I have ever seen.
Children of all ages are enthralled by Greco-Roman mythology. It's a great way to help them on their path to cultural literacy, giving them much needed content knowledge to succeed in high school and college. This breathtaking picture book has striking, colorful illustrations that clearly tell the story. I'm floored that it didn't win a Caldecott, and indeed, went out of print. So if you find this book used online, or in a second hand bookstore, or at a flea market, grab it and treasure it.
For a fun, here is a link to the most adorable, child friendly site about Greek mythology I have ever seen.
Infant Literacy
Anyone who has cared for an infant knows that babies have no attention span, are wiggly and impatient, and not the world's best audiences. So is it even possible to do literacy activities with them? Yes! Since I have a 13 month old son, this subject is of interest to me too. The best part is, everything you can do with a baby is pretty much free. These activities take no special training or materials, and anyone in the family can do them. (I would strongly encourage older children to help out). Here is a helpful link.This PDF from ZERO to Three is short, too the point, and has helpful information of what to pick up at the library as your baby develops.
It's important to remember that you don't have to read an entire book to a baby. You don't need to start on the first page or finish it. In fact, instead of reading the text straight up, try talking about the pictures, pointing to characters and saying what they are doing. "There is the doggy! He's chasing the cat! Our dog likes our cat, though." Let your baby handle the book herself, if she likes. And let her catch you in the act of reading her books on your own. Even if she can't understand the words or sit through the whole books, she's getting great benefits. She is learning that reading is pleasurable and fun, she is picking up vocabulary, and she is learning about the wonders of books.
It's important to remember that you don't have to read an entire book to a baby. You don't need to start on the first page or finish it. In fact, instead of reading the text straight up, try talking about the pictures, pointing to characters and saying what they are doing. "There is the doggy! He's chasing the cat! Our dog likes our cat, though." Let your baby handle the book herself, if she likes. And let her catch you in the act of reading her books on your own. Even if she can't understand the words or sit through the whole books, she's getting great benefits. She is learning that reading is pleasurable and fun, she is picking up vocabulary, and she is learning about the wonders of books.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Even If The Movie Isn't As Good As The Book.....
This is an old subject, but I think I'll post about it. The common wisdom about movies and books is that if a book is turned into a movie, no one will bother with the book anymore. I completely disagree. My informal research and experience indicates otherwise.
The Lightning Thief series are excellent books, but they are large, thick books with tiny print, and would seem ambitious to many of my students. But I don't go a week without several of them being checked out, with numerous requests for renewal, and to reserve the next installment. Why?
They've all seen the movie. Since they loved it, they are certain that the book is also good, and can't wait to give it a try.
So if there is a book you would like your child to read, like Charlotte's Web or Holes, and he/she is skeptical, try sharing the movie!
The Lightning Thief series are excellent books, but they are large, thick books with tiny print, and would seem ambitious to many of my students. But I don't go a week without several of them being checked out, with numerous requests for renewal, and to reserve the next installment. Why?
They've all seen the movie. Since they loved it, they are certain that the book is also good, and can't wait to give it a try.
So if there is a book you would like your child to read, like Charlotte's Web or Holes, and he/she is skeptical, try sharing the movie!
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