A Book for Every Reading Teacher

As my senior year draws to a close, I find myself bombarded with projects that I have been putting off all semester. Papers, presentations, readings, the list goes on and on. And the planning and researching of 2nd grade is so much more fun to focus on! But alas, I must finish my work because graduation is an important step on the way to my own classroom.

That being said, there is one book that I just could not put down. This may be a part of my "The Bedside Table" posts, but it never made it to the bedside! Straight from the bookstore to being finished. What book is it you ask? It is The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller.

I discovered the book from a friend at school who insisted I read it. She let me borrow her copy but suggested I get my own because I would want to take notes. I took her copy and thought I would just read it and buy my own at some point. I only got through the introduction and first chapter before I knew that I needed my own copy! Once I really got reading I was highlighting, sticky-noting, and agreeing as I went. 

Miller does a wonderful job of practically showing how she interweaves reading into her schedule and giving classroom snapshots. Although she is a middle school teacher, I think that a lot of these same methods could be applied to just about any grade. Don't just take my word for it, every teacher should read this book! 

The Bedside Table

You can tell a reader by their bedside table. Even if you aren't a reader, you know what these tributes to reading look like. The small table stacked high with books, borrowed and bought, just waiting to be read. Like any good teacher, my stack tends to shy away from adult fiction and focus on young adult literature. Although my students may not be able to read some of these books yet, they are quickly becoming part of culture and things most students know about. My goal is to share with you some of my favorites, the ones I read late into the night.

First on my list is Out of My Mind by Susan M. Draper

This is one of those books that you cannot put down. It is intended for ages 4th-8th grade, but I think it could be read to younger children depending on the situation. Everyone high school and up should read it too, especially teachers. 

Out of My Mind is the story of Melody, who is a physically disabled girl. But this disability has nothing to do with her mental powers. She remembers everything she has ever encountered, but nobody knows. Finally she is able to communicate with a computer, but will it change anything? This book is heartfelt and makes you reevaluate how you tread others, particularly those with disabilities. Just make sure you have some tissues!