What did you uncover on the teacher reading identity reflection?
Q2: Reflect – What did you uncover on the teacher reading identity reflection?
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Q2: Reflect – What did you uncover on the teacher reading identity reflection?
Despite identifying my gaps a year or two ago, I STILL haven’t read much/any horror or sports books (other than Kwame Alexander and Chris Crutcher). These are areas my students want more of in our library. I also need to be blunt about my reading speed (fast) and how it affects my retention of what I read (I just started reading a library book, then realized I’ve already read it last month).
What I discovered is that I need to build time into my schedule to ensure I am reading every single day. I also discovered I need to diversify my own reading.
I need to read more books within the fantasy and sci-fi genres. Several of my students love these genres so I need to read more in order to have better conversations with them.
What age do you teach? Spec Fic is my jam, so I’d be happy to recommend my favorites1
Hi @Wendy! I teach grades 6-8. ?
Personal Favorites: Megan Whalen Turner’s Attolia series, Matt de la Peña’s The Living ecology, Marissa Meyers’ Lunar Chronicles, Neal Shusterman’s Unwind, and Scythe series, The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, House of the Scorpions by Nancy Farmer, Dread Nation by Justine Ireland, Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, Feed by M. T. Anderson, Students loved: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series, Marie Lu’s Legend series, Suzanne Young’s The Program series, Neal Shusterman’s Everlost series
*duology not ecology!
Thank you so much for these great recommendations! I think I’m going to begin with Scythe. I bought that and Thunderhead this year, and I’ve heard awesome things about it!
YAY!
Omg I LOVE anything by Neal Shusterman. When a student first told me about the Unwind series I was like WHAT? But then I read the series and couldn’t put it down. It’s definitely one of my top recommends. I loved Scythe and Thunderhead too. So so good! I even got one of our Para’s at the school to read. He doesn’t work at our school anymore, but still asks for book recommendations and he loved Scythe too. I just took him Ember in the Ashes the other day, because he lives near me.
@Cindy Scythe is great and Thunderhead is even better. I teach 8th grade and those two were always gone last year!!
@Tammy When I was teaching 8th grade, my students were really into the Unwind series, also 13 Reasons Why and the series that started with Crank.
@Little Yes, I totally agree. My students are the same. 🙂
One thing I’ve realized is that I hardly ever abandon books, it may go unfinished for a long while, but I have a really hard time not finishing what I’ve started.
I’ve also noticed that although I love books, all genres, I have a really hard time articulating about what I do/don’t like about a book when giving a recommendation. I’m liable to say ‘this is really good I think you’ll love it’ to a student, but having a solid book conversation with someone who hasn’t already read the book is hard for me and something I really want to improve on this year.
I love your thinking here. I sometimes have a hard time with this too. After I read a book I have a difficult time putting a review on Goodreads, because it’s hard to articulate. I think the more book talks we do the better at this we will get. I too also have a hard time abandoning books. I’ve been reading Pieces by Chris Lynch and I typically like his books, but I’m having a hard time really getting into it. It’s not even a long book. I think I may have to abandon.
@Tammy I know part of my problem with abandoning books is that I’ve read a lot of books I ended up loving- but that took awhile to get into.
I agree practice is the only way to get better and overcoming the awkward feeling I have about. I should probably go back on Goodreads and add book talk like reviews for my recent reads!
@Tara that is an excellent idea about adding book talk like reviews in Goodreads. Those don’t have to be long, but it would get you in the habit of talking like that etc… I agree with you on the abandoning books too. I have read some too that it took awhile to get into. I just don’t like to abandon them too quickly. 🙂
Something that helped me with book talks this year was to think of stories, movies, or tv shows that were similar. So I could say if you liked this, you’ll like this. It also helped to find the commonalities which are usually the things that make them good.
Looking at my Reading Identity. I read a lot and I have a lot of choice in my classroom. One thing that I find is that I have some books that I love to recommend to readers Orbiting Jupiter, Unwind, Scythe, Out of my Mind, One for the Murphy’s, many verse novels. I recommend others but I tend to stick with realistic fiction and science fiction/dystopian. I need to venture out and read more fantasy and horror. Many 7th grade students in my room love to read horror so knowing more about the books in that realm would be helpful. In addition to this I need to gain more knowledge in the Mystery category. When I was growing up I either read Romance or VC Andrews (Flowers in the Attic etc). There was no other genres for me at the time. I feel like I have grown, but I still need more work. I am super excited about learning from each of you.
My students love horror too (which is not my favorite) so I would love to get some good recommendations.
@Cami I did read Little Monsters by Kara Thomas recently it was pretty good. My students love reading books my Natasha Preston The Cabin, Awake and The Cellar. She has others too. They don’t stay on my shelves in 7th grade.
@Tammy there’s no better recommendation than always being checked out. Thanks!
I found that I have always loved reading. I am a sporadic reader – grabbing time when I can, mostly in the summer. 90% of my reading is children’s books and “teacher books”, preparing for the next year. I set a goal at the beginning of the summer (or pile) and read until I’m finished. Most of these books are recommended to me by colleagues, students, other professionals I follow via Twitter/Facebook, etc. The gaps that I notice are NOT reading during the school year – I feel like I don’t have any time to read for pleasure. I tend to gravitate toward the same genres and avoid Informational, Science Fiction and Graphic Novels.
I have a TBR list too, but then . . . I go to the library and it all goes to heck in a hand basket!
Teacher Reading Identity: My students know I LOVE to read. I am REALLY good at selling that at the beginning of the year and book talk the books I read over the summer like crazy. Then, it slows down because I don’t read much during the school year. (GAP #1). My classroom library is big, but not organized enough, which is a HUGE goal before the school year begins this fall (GAP #2). Students may read ANYTHING they want and they love that:).
I need to read more current books targeted to 8th/9th. I avoid sports books and graphic novels in general. I LOVE to read but tend to not take the time. This is my personal goal this year!
Read some Mike Lupica books—they’re good not only for boys but also include some strong female supporting characters
I’ve always loved to read mysteries and realistic fiction, but more recently, memoirs. My students knew that this year and when I told them I started a science fiction book, they applauded. Then a week later when I told them I abandoned it, they weren’t surprised. They know that I promote book abandoning if a book is just not the right one. My goal for the next few months is to read more books that my 5th graders read.
As an adult, I have loved to read. As a kid and teenager, I was more of the I’ll wait for the movie type. My children’s lit class in college is what ignited the inner reader. I love a good crime novel, romance, or historical fiction. Recently I started trying to read more non-fiction since my kids love it but I’m not as big of a fan. I don’t abandon many books, but when I do they are usually nonfiction. I share the books I’m reading with my friends, colleagues, and even my students. I’m a good reader. However, I know I read way too quickly. I love to read children’s books though so I can stay up with what the kids like.
That my “taste” for nonfiction reading is NOT fair to students with whom I interact with. I turn on CNN to see the news daily & am “hooked” on YouTube stories about ANYTHING historical…….yes, it is THAT kind of addiction. 😉 So I am reading more this summer (obviously influences all around me w/ this book study) but delving into books that normally I would not even pick up. Picture books—-you cannot get too many of them in the hands of kids. I am SO thankful that @Pernille makes that clear. I finished reading “Passionate Readers” in one day—it was that enticing. I know it is necessary to change how I teach because my pupils deserve it. They are by the way, “my customers.” I am a firm believer that kids pick up on comments made about them or around them. Sadly phrases like “slow learner,” or “at risk reader” floats around most school communities. I will not be a part of keeping a child from his/her success. It is kind of immoral, in my perspective.
I find that I get obsessive about certain book genres as well, I really have to force myself to read outside of my preferred box in order to be able to book talk other books.
Yes! To do MORE book talks and guide kids to other titles….I will feel more comfortable doing that. My students will be promoting their favorite books on my blog this year. It should be interesting! 😉
@Rose I also have a hard time branching out as well. One of my fellow teachers has a board for recommendations from her students that I stole and tried to read this year. I had some of the greatest conversations with my students and came to love books I never would have tried otherwise.
This was fun to think about my reading identity and how that fits into the media center I run today. Thinking back to my school days and how those experiences shaped my reading and love of books was a great thing to do.
I do read all kinds of books from professional, adult, YA, picture books and beginning chapter books. Sometimes I feel like a read through different lenses. I tend to think about kids who would enjoy this book or I think about why a person recommended this title to me.
I love reading books that are going to be or are movies. I get ideas from book clubs and people I follow online as well as friends who recommend books. My favorite genres are mysteries, sci-fic, and realistic.
Some gaps I personally need to work at are:
*Setting reading goals. I don’t do that. By not having a goal, I slip up and all the sudden find I haven’t been reading as much as I could be.
* I want to increase book talks. I am not talking enough to kids about books.
* I need to be sure I still read books that are not on my favorite list. Don’t ignore those genres that are my top choice.
@Jenny, I’d also like to increase the number of book talks in my room—whether student or adult-led! Come on up anytime!!
I definitely see myself as a reader, but I don’t really have any early memories of being read to as a child. Favorite childhood books were: The Secret Garden, Five Little Peppers and how They Grew and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I still enjoy realistic fiction and a good mystery and have a Sci-Fi reading gap. I do have a classroom library of over 2000 books, so there is much variety. I read a lot of middle grade books and just finished Forget Me Not and am reading The Honest Truth. I seem to always have a TBR pile, no matter how many books I read?
One of my biggest gaps is reading consistently. Most days when I get home from work the last thing I want to do is read. I get caught in a Netflix black hole. I am trying to prioritize reading by always having a book with me and posting what I’m reading so my students can help hold me accountable.
I read right before I go to bed almost every single night, it keeps me acocuntable
@Pernille As an older but new teacher, I’ve always read before bed and sometimes I would read into the wee hours before putting a book down (Amityville Horror), but now when I try to read before bedtime, the books will make me sleepy; not because the content isn’t good,it’s just because I’m gettin’ old!
The gaps! Having spent the past 8 years teaching high school English, I am way out of touch with YA lit, especially what I want to stock my new 6th-8th classroom library with and be able to share with students. I have a growing list and will be sitting my neighborhood library soon.
I ignore entire genres because I think I won’t be able to stick with them. I prefer fiction but know I have neglected to pay attention to mounds of other great books.
As a kid I loved to read and was a voracious reader – I devoured books, but I did stay within certain topics – fantasy, horse-related books, lots of vampires/witches/mythology. As an adult, I love to read but I don’t feel like I have the TIME to read anymore outside of my doctoral program readings. I have a wonderful classroom library at school that I restock with student suggestions or books I’ve seen classes gravitate towards, but I don’t really sell my books to kids. That’s something I want to change!
My library is genrefied, so it’s easy to see that some sections are much bigger than others. What I realized in reflecting on my own reading identity is that the 2 largest sections in my library happen to be my two favorite genres: realistic & science fiction
Every time I look closely at my reading identity, I always realize that I avoid reading nonfiction books for enjoyment. I know this is evident in my classroom, too—it’s always been the weakest part of my classroom library and our fiction units of study have so much more life than the nonfiction ones. I’d love some book suggestions and ideas for breathing a little more life into nonfiction in upper elementary!
I need to adapt book talk for my primary kids. I also need to share more nonfiction
Definitely aware of my reading gaps and how little I actually use students in the recommendation process!
I already read a lot. I make sure to read about an hour a day right before bed. However I don’t read nonfiction. I also need to read more books designed for fourth graders.
I definitely have gaps: mystery and sports. I’ve made efforts to improve, but what I reflected on this week may seem a bit strange in this context…but I read so much children’s lit (which I love), but it’s been a very long time since I’ve read an adult-ish book. A book I picked up because I thought it looked great…
My gaps are in fantasy and adult literature. It is easy for me through professional development and PLCs to hear about kids literature that I want to read. It is more difficult for me to chose fiction aimed at adults. When I read age appropriately it is usually nonfiction about a topic or person I want to know more about.
I discovered that I make excuses for myself about not having enough time to read. I realized I need to be a reading warrior for myself and make time for reading in the same way that I make time for independent reading in my class! I have also reflected that as a child I thought something was wrong with me because even though I read through books quickly, I often forgot the names of characters. Now in my adulthood (and after understanding my ADHD/coping skills) I realize that its OK if I read to fast AND I should challenge myself to take time to slow down and reflect on my reading.
It is hard to read as much as I want to and the books I want to. I like lots of different books, but sci-fi is my go to. I read every night to my own kids, so I feel decently versed in younger kid books. I’m learning about YA books now with a teenager in the house. My biggest weakness is that I don’t talk enough about the books I read with other people and even my students. That’s something I hope to change this summer.
I need to read more!
I feel I read a wide variety of genres but I want to focus more on MG and picture books. I just finished a YA lit class, but now that I am going to be starting my first librarian position in K-8 I want to step up with MG and picture books. I read quite a bit but I don’t read every day. I want to read at least 30 minutes every day!
I’m an avid reader, but I need to read more children’s books to engage in book talks with my students. Also, I don’t have time dedicated to reading for pleasure each day.
I don’t know enough about what I’m not reading! I need to be more attentive to my own reading gaps.
I discovered that I have kept my reading life separate from my teaching life. I’ve discovered that I myself am not a shining example of a reader because I do not devote enough time personally to read daily. I’ve discovered that I need to do more to be a better reading role model. ?
I truly discovered that I’m a bandwagon book reader. I see one of my 5th grade students reading a book that looks good and I’ll read it. For a while. I’m worst than AT&AT’s dropped calls. I abandon books all the time. It’s bad!
I like the idea of slowing down and look into the characters more. Give books a chance. I fall asleep all the time to a book before bed. I need to find time to read during the day or early morning.
I really… really… need to promote what I’m reading and have an “Amazon review” posted in my classroom somewhere so kids can see it. We have those discussions more about the book. It hold me more accountable.
I also need to not read only kids books that might kids are reading at home or in my classroom. I need to try and read more adult books.
That I’ve subconsciously been trying to fill in the gaps I have in reading genres. I added some reading of sports books (mostly Mike Lupica) and really enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far. I feel like if I’m showing the girls in my classroom that I’m jumping outside of my comfort zone, it might get them to jump too.
Also, I saw a Jimmy Fallon post today on a book he’s choosing for a Summer Book Club and found myself drawn to a couple of the titles he picked. I realized that I spend lots of time reading juvenile literature, that I should take some time to read something a little more adult.
I am going to focus on the ‘thinker’ aspect of the IB identity this year. I have never had logic as a class. An example of a book I am going to read in the next year in pursuit of that is The Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments by Ali Almossawi. I have a lifetime goal of reading a book from every country in the world, so I also focus on that. I find left to my own devices, I gravitate toward African-American titles as they are having 1) a renaissance, and 2) I want to be the best ally possible.
I’ve learned that one of my biggest reading gaps is many of my ELL students’ favorite genre: graphic novels. I need to find my way into them, possibly by starting with historical graphic novels with content that I love (March, War Brothers, Echoes of the Lost Boys of Sudan).
I need to read more outside of my comfort zone! I have gaps!