Don't let a short schedule keep you from providing engaging library programming. These 30-minute library lessons are perfect for librarians!
Being a brand new school librarian is both exciting and scary. All summer, you’ve planned for your new position, but today, you're feeling pretty lost.
Engaging ideas for teaching literary genres with literature units in middle and high school ELA. Explore some activities you can try today!
My year as an elementary Specials Rotation Librarian nearly ended my library career. I gave all I had, but it wasn't enough. Here's why...
Our students need to be proficient in 5 Essential Literacies and School Librarians can integrate a Library Literacy component into any class visit. In Part 3 we look at Information Literacy Skills:…
This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you click the links and make a purchase I may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. I do not recommend any companies that I do not persoanlly use and love. Please read our disclaimer for more info. I currently teach inclusion special education in the eighth grade. When I am picking books for my classroom library, I always want to make sure I’m picking books that suit the needs of my students. Many of my students have difficulties with reading. Because of that, when I am looking for books for my classroom I like to make sure that I have books that are high-interest and 5-6 grade reading level. I do also keep books that are on grade level because I do have students who are reading on grade level. These books I have listed are high interest, but lower than eighth-grade difficulty. Harry Potter Box Set by J.K. Rowling I couldn’t pick a specific Harry Potter book to recommend because that is like picking your favorite child. I just love them all! The Harry Potter books tend to be popular because most kids have seen the movies and most of my students claim to have liked the movies. So, when we are telling them that they have to read a book, they often pick Harry Potter because they already know that they like the story. Wonder by R.J. Palacio I am a huge fan of this book, it has a great message, and is about a student roughly the age of my students. Auggie, the main character of the book has a facial deformity that has prevented him up until this time from going to a mainstream school. In the novel, they decide that it is time for him to begin attending the local mainstream school. When he does, his classmates have a hard time seeing past his face. This novel is the story of his community’s journey to acceptance. The Giver by Lois Lowry This is a novel that used to be in the eighth-grade curriculum but I think recently it was moved down to a lower grade. I like this book because the students really enjoy the story, and I am a big fan of Lois Lowry’s writing style. There is very little that she has written that I have not loved. This novel takes place in the future in a dystopian society. And this novel was written long before The Hunger Games and Divergent. The main character is a young boy who is chosen to be the memory holder of his society and begins to receive the memories of what life was before his time. It is a great story with surprises and some action. Babysitter’s Club Graphic Novels by Ann M. Martin Some teachers do not like graphic novels because they are not real novels. I feel like they are a stepping stone to reading a real novel. My students have to read a certain number of books per year but they are limited to the amount that can be graphic novels. I feel as though graphic novels are great for students who really struggle with reading because they are still following a story and reading dialogue but the pictures make it easier for them to follow the plot. I like to use these as a starting point for a student who really hates to read. Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene Part of why I include some of the Nancy Drew books in my library is selfish. Nancy Drew was one of my favorite things to read when I was a kid and I want to pass this love along to my students. I like them because, although they are a little outdated, they are high-interest mysteries and they are not a difficult reading level. What are some books that you think should be on this list? I am always looking for new, amazing books! Leave your ideas in the comments. Get your free IEP summary page! Subscribe to get our latest content by email. Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. Get your download! We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit
One of the things I’ve become known for is my colorful and visually engaging (and non-typical) shelving strategies. I like to call this “Dynamic Shelving” and I love employing the…
School library advocacy is more important now than ever. Get tips for how to effectively advocate for your school library.
Because picture books never really go out of style, and also because big kids love graphic novels, too. This post contains affiliate links.
I just created a resource for middle schoolers and middle school teachers to implement First Chapter Friday in their ELA classrooms.
Helping students choose books that are just right can be helpful, but it can be detrimental if reading levels are overemphasizes. #readinglevels #reading
One of the toughest parts of teaching middle school English is choosing which books to recommend to each reader. In this age group, reading ability AND student maturity vary widely. Further, adults tend to disagree about which books are "appropriate" for middle school, so YA fiction with mature content can be risky. In this post, 17 teachers have each recommended at least one novel that is addictive and appropriate for middle school. Addictive: Not all of these will have constant explosions and a frenetic plot pace, but these novels are ones that a typical middle schooler won't abandon because it's "too slow". Appropriate: As much as we teachers want to resist censorship, sometimes in middle school we may have a reason to exert caution about the books we put in a student's hands. For example, maybe the parent is protective, the school's policy is conservative, or that student isn't emotionally in a good place to be reading that book. THUS, we teachers have to know some PG or PG-13 titles to recommend. NOTE: Some of the books below are more appropriate for 8th than 6th. Always use your judgment regarding what is best for your classroom. We hope you enjoy this list! To see the FULL book talk for each novel, click on the hyperlink of the teacher's username who recommended it. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 1. Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu Recommended by @secondarysara View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 2. Things That Surprise You by Jennifer Maschari Recommended by @secondarysara View it on Amazon 3. Walking Home by Eric Walters Recommended by @addiewilliams_tpt View it on Amazon 4. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Recommended by @nouvelle_ela View it on Amazon 5. Dear Martin by Nic Stone Recommended by @hansonhallway View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 6. Ghost & Patina by Jason Reynolds Recommended by @2peasandadog View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 7. Something in Between by Melissa De La Cruz Recommended by @toocoolformiddleschool View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 8. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick Recommended by @mrsspanglerinthemiddle View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 9. Smile by Raina Telgemeier Recommended by @studyallknight View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 10. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Recommended by @missbertels_ View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 11. The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm Recommended by @prestoplans View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 12. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Recommended by @thesuperheroteacher View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 13. The Madman of Piney Woods and Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis Recommended by @helloteacherlady View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 14. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Recommended by @thedaringenglishteacher View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 15. Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai Recommended by @theliterarymaven View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 16. Refugee by Alan Gratz Recommended by @readitwriteitlearnit View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media 17. Slider by Pete Hautman Recommended by @literarysherri View it on Amazon 18. Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds Recommended by @kelseynhayesblog View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media What other books do you suggest? Tell us in the comments!
This is a collection of fun ideas for middle school library orientation. It includes video clips, an elementary vs middle school presentation, and more!
For any teacher or parent that is looking, here is my list of best books for middle school readers. Each of these books has been read or recommended by my students or I during the course of our time together:
Ways to use #BookTok to encourage reading and find book recommendations
Get your students reading with these 11 great middle school books made into movies.
Book talking changed my life. And while that might sound dramatic, it’s entirely true. Book-talking was one of the first consistently meaningful things I did with my students (besides forming relationships) because it led to effects that lasted long after students’ time in my classroom was over. Bo
School Librarians will find these 41 quality Websites very helpful to gather information & ideas on professional development, library advocacy, library lessons & activities, reading promo…