Using the book lists is pretty easy; I don’t have a huge list of books that I have read I think students would want to read. I also like the idea of the book list indication of a sequel or series, sometimes if a student gets hooked on a book, they’ll read the sequel to it. I think I would change the end of the year evaluation to be able to use it at both the beginning and end of the year. When gaining new students, completing this form at the beginning could give insight as to their attitudes and interests.
I like your idea of giving it to new students also. It gives you insight and shows them that you are including them in the class even if they are started in the middle of the school year. My problem would be remembering to give it to them.
I also like the sequel feature. My son, a third grader, loves the I Survived Series and the Magic Tree House books. He basically drooled over the Scholastic Book Order this week when it advertised most of the Magic Tree House collection of 45 books for 69.99.
I like the idea of the list of sequels and series. This way when they find a book in a series they like there are books for them to read like the one they liked.
I do love book list! I use them for myself and students and when I send out my end of 9 weeks reports I send a page or two of information for partents, that will often include a book list. This is helpful for parents to find good, appropriate books for their student. A book list can serve as a guide for students and myself when starting a hunt in the library.
I like the idea of sending home a book list with the 9 week report! It also shows the parents that you are trying to assist them by giving them a list of books their child could read.
Yes appropriate is the key as well. At the junior high and high school levels sometimes the books can be inappropriate but on the flip side at the kindergarten level the books need to be able to be on target with their level as well because it is not at age level then the students will not be able to understand books making reading not as fun.
Great idea!! I think as a parent, it is often hard to find books that are appropriate for my son's reading level that are also of interest. A book list from the teacher would be amazing! We could definitely use that when going to the library this summer. I wish more teachers provided that list to parents.
I like the idea of sending it home for parents. I remember when my girls were in 4-6th grade and I wasn't familiar with books that would be appropriate. That would have been helpful.
Yes, I too, utilize book lists, generally sorted by the students' age/grade levels. For this book, I actually got out the recommendations by genre' and asked one of my potential clients to check off any books she had read and highlight what she thought sounded interesting. Then we talked about those titles and I had the opportunity to do some book talks about a couple of those choices. In my recollections, it was at that age that I can remember reading a book a day--during the summer, of course!--and feel that is a formative age for cementing the love of reading in a child's heart.
I like the idea about the book talks. This also provides excitement for you to listen and them to share. This does create a love for reading when they are able to talk about their experience.
I enjoy having book lists as well as numerous books. I like the way this list is organized. This specific book list is not really helpful to me in my current area of early childhood. However, I do enjoy reading these books and my daughters are at the age of reading these books. I try to keep a current list of the Caldecott and Newberry books and obtain as many as possible for my own personal library. I haven't been as faithful in purchasing these over the last few years. The way that the author has organized the books according to genre is also helpful for those who enjoy reading specific genres.
I need to keep a list of the Caldecott and Newberry books also. I'm not to good at buying those books. Obviously they are good books, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten an award. Donalyn also mentions that she collects those types of books too. I also need to work on diversifying my own book library.
I agree the genre is helpful for students. For early childhood it is at a different level however finding children's books can be exciting as well for the younger generation.
Good Idea purchasing award books I have some but not all. Another great source is Kohl's every quarter they have children's book hardback for $5 inexpensive and generally by well read authors
While I used to think that having the Caldecott & Newberry lists were handy, having the books is probably much more productive. It would keep your costs in a reasonable ballpark!
I have numerous children's books as I started off my teaching career in Kindergarten and thought about only teaching elementary grades. As I am now a specialist for students with hearing impairments, I am going to be working with students PK-12. This list will help me add to my collection of books by adding books that are at a higher reading level. It's also nice that the books are suggested from students at that age as they are the experts of what is liked at that age. The forms can be helpful also if I have a few students that are working together or at that particular level. it will give me insights to the students and what they like and think would assist me in expanding my library.
As I look at the book list I think it is very helpful with students to be able to look at the list and go to a favorite author or title or even genre to look for other books that may be of interest to them. I know that for older students they choose books that they know they like or a series that they continue to read. Sometimes students don't take the time to go to the library to find books but if they had a list that would be in the classroom for use they may use this list to find books that may be of interest. It also forms a resource for teachers to know what books the students are enjoying which goes back to the interest of the students.
For my middle school students I also choose book series that are out and populr like "Harry Potter" or "The Hunger Games". We will read the 1st book in a series hoping that they will get hooked and want to finish the series.
After finishing reading a book to the class, it may be fun to challenge the students to find other books from the same author and decide if they are all the same genre, or from different genres. After reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear to preschoolers, I have even noticed that some of them can tell that the illustrator, Eric Carle, illustrates other books too.
As I looked over the book list I have many of these books in my classroom library but need to sort them into Genre. I do have them sorted into series.
I also like her reading interst-lyzer. I talk to students and say what do you like? "I don't know" They read short books just to get the BOOK REPORT done.
I agree; I also need to sort my books. They are just mixed randomly. I am just lucky if they don't fall off the shelves when someone grabs one. I need to implement the librarians in the classroom; if I sort by genre or even levels, then put certain students in charge of taking care of the shelving, they would likely enjoy taking care of our classroom library.
This list will probably not help me as I do not tend to work with students at that grade level on narratives. I can have it available for other people though.
Although the exact lists and forms in the appendix of the Book Whisperer will not lend themselves to my classroom because of the obvious gap between second grade special ed and middle school regular ed, I do think some of the ideas could be modified to be used at a lower level.
The most obvious forms I would use would be the interest-a-lyzer and end-of-the-year reading evaluation. I could scale them back to get the information I want targeted, then ask the questions orally or in interview fashion on video.
Also, we could do a whole class favorite booklist. I would do this by creating a poster on the wall. Then, as we read books throughout the year, I could lead discussion after each one. Then if consensus is a particular book is so great it would be recommended to others, I would add it to our list on the wall of favorite books.
Because of the limited age range of the author's book list, it may not be useful for very many of us, but book lists are available from a variety of sources. I like the idea of having a listing of all the books in my classroom library. I remember creating an annotated list of my books while doing my undergrad work. Hmmmm...might have to dig that out and revamp it to fit my current situation.
I feel like most people missed the point that this isn't just a book list. I read the purpose of this appendix as a process, not a product. I believe each year a class will end up with a different book list. The makeup of every class is different, so their recommendations will be different each year. The class has experienced these books and recommended them to other, which is a greater level of thinking than just printing off a booklist and reading it.
I like the book list idea. I am not sure that my middle school students would keep up with it through-out the year though. My plan is to organize my small class library by genre's and type up a book list that is categorized by genre's have it laminated and permanently posted by my book shelf. That is my summer goal in my classroom. I also like the Characteristics of Genre's notes. My plan for my reading classes next school year is to read at least one book from each genre and use that worksheet to discuss the characteristics before we read. With Common Core I will have to focus alot on non-fiction/informational books. So I am still trying to figure out how to work that in! This book gave me alot of great ideas!!!
I love the idea of creating and using a book list with students. At the early childhood level, it would be a lot harder to use with the students, but it could be fun to track what books we read each week and which ones the kids really liked. They could then take some of those books home to read with their parents. I think it could be a good home/school connection piece. I think that next year, it would be fun to expose the younger students to all of the different genres and not just fiction and nonfiction. I think that the book list that the author provided would be fun for me to look at and read. As my son and future stepson are getting older, they might enjoy some of those books as well. Maybe we'll hit some of them this summer!
As the Gifted Facilitator I started the first year with a list of books that were quote the “CLASSICS” As I presented this list to my students and encouraged them to pick a book from the list I found they would struggle with this. I learned to ask them for ideas and pay closer attention to what the newest books were. As they would talk and we would find books to read that they found fun I would add to the classics list. By the 5th year of being a Gifted Facilitator I found my list had grown and there were tons of books that I now wanted to read over the summer. I like the idea of the End of the Year Reading Evaluation I think that is a good way to help grow your reading program and see from year to year what works and what needs tweaked.
I agree. My students are a wealth of information when it comes to what one might want to read. They all vary in their genres but open my eyes on new and interesting books.
This is the first year we have read a "classic" in my reading class and the students are really enjoying it. I want to invest in more of them in the furture!
Students may also like to learn about some of their favorite authors, including: where they are from, and if they include their environment in their writings, if they are still living, when they wrote the books, if they write about some of their experiences, if their writings are in a certain time period, etc. Once students learn some of this information about the authors, they can identify with the story, setting and author more easily.
I intend to adapt and use the Reading Interest A-lyzer at the beginning of the year next year and do the same thing with the End-of-the-Year Evaluation in the spring. The interest inventory would be very useful in getting to know my students and what their reading interests are (I like hers better than the one I've used in the past). The end of the year evaluation could even be done mid-year and at the end. This information would be really useful for reflecting on the year and knowing what changes to make in the upcoming year.
I plan on using the forms interest-a-lyzer and the end-of-the-year reading evaluation. The book list is good but they would be difficult for the students I work with. My goal is to find a book list geared more for early elementary but also ask my students if they have any favorite books or series.
Interest-a-lyzer was borrowed from gifted kids' materials -- pleased to see that it can be used with "any and all" kids. Search Interest-a-Lyzer to see an adult version, too!
Using the book lists is pretty easy; I don’t have a huge list of books that I have read I think students would want to read. I also like the idea of the book list indication of a sequel or series, sometimes if a student gets hooked on a book, they’ll read the sequel to it.
ReplyDeleteI think I would change the end of the year evaluation to be able to use it at both the beginning and end of the year. When gaining new students, completing this form at the beginning could give insight as to their attitudes and interests.
I like your idea of giving it to new students also. It gives you insight and shows them that you are including them in the class even if they are started in the middle of the school year. My problem would be remembering to give it to them.
DeleteI also like the sequel feature. My son, a third grader, loves the I Survived Series and the Magic Tree House books. He basically drooled over the Scholastic Book Order this week when it advertised most of the Magic Tree House collection of 45 books for 69.99.
DeleteI like the sequels listed as well. My own children usually read every book in the series.
DeleteI like the idea of the list of sequels and series. This way when they find a book in a series they like there are books for them to read like the one they liked.
DeleteI do love book list! I use them for myself and students and when I send out my end of 9 weeks reports I send a page or two of information for partents, that will often include a book list. This is helpful for parents to find good, appropriate books for their student. A book list can serve as a guide for students and myself when starting a hunt in the library.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of sending home a book list with the 9 week report! It also shows the parents that you are trying to assist them by giving them a list of books their child could read.
DeleteYes appropriate is the key as well. At the junior high and high school levels sometimes the books can be inappropriate but on the flip side at the kindergarten level the books need to be able to be on target with their level as well because it is not at age level then the students will not be able to understand books making reading not as fun.
DeleteGreat idea!! I think as a parent, it is often hard to find books that are appropriate for my son's reading level that are also of interest. A book list from the teacher would be amazing! We could definitely use that when going to the library this summer. I wish more teachers provided that list to parents.
DeleteI like the idea of sending it home for parents. I remember when my girls were in 4-6th grade and I wasn't familiar with books that would be appropriate. That would have been helpful.
DeleteYes, I too, utilize book lists, generally sorted by the students' age/grade levels. For this book, I actually got out the recommendations by genre' and asked one of my potential clients to check off any books she had read and highlight what she thought sounded interesting. Then we talked about those titles and I had the opportunity to do some book talks about a couple of those choices. In my recollections, it was at that age that I can remember reading a book a day--during the summer, of course!--and feel that is a formative age for cementing the love of reading in a child's heart.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea about the book talks. This also provides excitement for you to listen and them to share. This does create a love for reading when they are able to talk about their experience.
DeleteI like your idea to give the book list to a student and have them highlight and mark books that have been read or would like to read.
DeleteYes, having students mark up the list with their ideas, recommendations, favorites, want to read is a great idea.
DeleteI enjoy having book lists as well as numerous books. I like the way this list is organized. This specific book list is not really helpful to me in my current area of early childhood. However, I do enjoy reading these books and my daughters are at the age of reading these books. I try to keep a current list of the Caldecott and Newberry books and obtain as many as possible for my own personal library. I haven't been as faithful in purchasing these over the last few years. The way that the author has organized the books according to genre is also helpful for those who enjoy reading specific genres.
ReplyDeleteI need to keep a list of the Caldecott and Newberry books also. I'm not to good at buying those books. Obviously they are good books, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten an award. Donalyn also mentions that she collects those types of books too. I also need to work on diversifying my own book library.
DeleteWhat a great idea to purchase the award winners to have. I will look into doing that also, thanks Angela.
DeleteI agree the genre is helpful for students. For early childhood it is at a different level however finding children's books can be exciting as well for the younger generation.
DeleteGood Idea purchasing award books I have some but not all. Another great source is Kohl's every quarter they have children's book hardback for $5 inexpensive and generally by well read authors
DeleteGreat idea about purchasing the award winning books. That would definitely expose kids to a variety of authors and books.
DeleteWhile I used to think that having the Caldecott & Newberry lists were handy, having the books is probably much more productive. It would keep your costs in a reasonable ballpark!
DeleteI have numerous children's books as I started off my teaching career in Kindergarten and thought about only teaching elementary grades. As I am now a specialist for students with hearing impairments, I am going to be working with students PK-12. This list will help me add to my collection of books by adding books that are at a higher reading level. It's also nice that the books are suggested from students at that age as they are the experts of what is liked at that age. The forms can be helpful also if I have a few students that are working together or at that particular level. it will give me insights to the students and what they like and think would assist me in expanding my library.
ReplyDeleteAs I look at the book list I think it is very helpful with students to be able to look at the list and go to a favorite author or title or even genre to look for other books that may be of interest to them. I know that for older students they choose books that they know they like or a series that they continue to read. Sometimes students don't take the time to go to the library to find books but if they had a list that would be in the classroom for use they may use this list to find books that may be of interest. It also forms a resource for teachers to know what books the students are enjoying which goes back to the interest of the students.
ReplyDeleteFor my middle school students I also choose book series that are out and populr like "Harry Potter" or "The Hunger Games". We will read the 1st book in a series hoping that they will get hooked and want to finish the series.
DeleteAfter finishing reading a book to the class, it may be fun to challenge the students to find other books from the same author and decide if they are all the same genre, or from different genres. After reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear to preschoolers, I have even noticed that some of them can tell that the illustrator, Eric Carle, illustrates other books too.
DeleteAs I looked over the book list I have many of these books in my classroom library but need to sort them into Genre. I do have them sorted into series.
ReplyDeleteI also like her reading interst-lyzer. I talk to students and say what do you like? "I don't know"
They read short books just to get the BOOK REPORT done.
I agree; I also need to sort my books. They are just mixed randomly. I am just lucky if they don't fall off the shelves when someone grabs one. I need to implement the librarians in the classroom; if I sort by genre or even levels, then put certain students in charge of taking care of the shelving, they would likely enjoy taking care of our classroom library.
DeleteThis list will probably not help me as I do not tend to work with students at that grade level on narratives. I can have it available for other people though.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the exact lists and forms in the appendix of the Book Whisperer will not lend themselves to my classroom because of the obvious gap between second grade special ed and middle school regular ed, I do think some of the ideas could be modified to be used at a lower level.
ReplyDeleteThe most obvious forms I would use would be the interest-a-lyzer and end-of-the-year reading evaluation. I could scale them back to get the information I want targeted, then ask the questions orally or in interview fashion on video.
Also, we could do a whole class favorite booklist. I would do this by creating a poster on the wall. Then, as we read books throughout the year, I could lead discussion after each one. Then if consensus is a particular book is so great it would be recommended to others, I would add it to our list on the wall of favorite books.
Because of the limited age range of the author's book list, it may not be useful for very many of us, but book lists are available from a variety of sources. I like the idea of having a listing of all the books in my classroom library. I remember creating an annotated list of my books while doing my undergrad work. Hmmmm...might have to dig that out and revamp it to fit my current situation.
DeleteReply to most everyone's original posts above:
ReplyDeleteI feel like most people missed the point that this isn't just a book list. I read the purpose of this appendix as a process, not a product. I believe each year a class will end up with a different book list. The makeup of every class is different, so their recommendations will be different each year. The class has experienced these books and recommended them to other, which is a greater level of thinking than just printing off a booklist and reading it.
I like the book list idea. I am not sure that my middle school students would keep up with it through-out the year though. My plan is to organize my small class library by genre's and type up a book list that is categorized by genre's have it laminated and permanently posted by my book shelf. That is my summer goal in my classroom. I also like the Characteristics of Genre's notes. My plan for my reading classes next school year is to read at least one book from each genre and use that worksheet to discuss the characteristics before we read. With Common Core I will have to focus alot on non-fiction/informational books. So I am still trying to figure out how to work that in! This book gave me alot of great ideas!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of creating and using a book list with students. At the early childhood level, it would be a lot harder to use with the students, but it could be fun to track what books we read each week and which ones the kids really liked. They could then take some of those books home to read with their parents. I think it could be a good home/school connection piece. I think that next year, it would be fun to expose the younger students to all of the different genres and not just fiction and nonfiction. I think that the book list that the author provided would be fun for me to look at and read. As my son and future stepson are getting older, they might enjoy some of those books as well. Maybe we'll hit some of them this summer!
ReplyDeleteAs the Gifted Facilitator I started the first year with a list of books that were quote the “CLASSICS” As I presented this list to my students and encouraged them to pick a book from the list I found they would struggle with this. I learned to ask them for ideas and pay closer attention to what the newest books were. As they would talk and we would find books to read that they found fun I would add to the classics list. By the 5th year of being a Gifted Facilitator I found my list had grown and there were tons of books that I now wanted to read over the summer.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the End of the Year Reading Evaluation I think that is a good way to help grow your reading program and see from year to year what works and what needs tweaked.
I agree. My students are a wealth of information when it comes to what one might want to read. They all vary in their genres but open my eyes on new and interesting books.
DeleteThis is the first year we have read a "classic" in my reading class and the students are really enjoying it. I want to invest in more of them in the furture!
DeleteStudents may also like to learn about some of their favorite authors, including: where they are from, and if they include their environment in their writings, if they are still living, when they wrote the books, if they write about some of their experiences, if their writings are in a certain time period, etc. Once students learn some of this information about the authors, they can identify with the story, setting and author more easily.
DeleteI intend to adapt and use the Reading Interest A-lyzer at the beginning of the year next year and do the same thing with the End-of-the-Year Evaluation in the spring. The interest inventory would be very useful in getting to know my students and what their reading interests are (I like hers better than the one I've used in the past). The end of the year evaluation could even be done mid-year and at the end. This information would be really useful for reflecting on the year and knowing what changes to make in the upcoming year.
ReplyDeleteI plan on using the forms interest-a-lyzer and the end-of-the-year reading evaluation. The book list is good but they would be difficult for the students I work with. My goal is to find a book list geared more for early elementary but also ask my students if they have any favorite books or series.
ReplyDeleteInterest-a-lyzer was borrowed from gifted kids' materials -- pleased to see that it can be used with "any and all" kids.
DeleteSearch Interest-a-Lyzer to see an adult version, too!