Spring conferences for me have always meant the formation of summer reading lists. Since parents usually want to see the classroom teacher, not the librarian, I fill the hours with thoughts of children reading books during the summer break.
Starting with the lists of books ordered from our superb vendor, I put a K, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 next to the titles. The choice of assigned grade level is made with a combination of things in mind: approximate reading level of the book, topics covered during the year in various curriculum areas, what the students will be studying in the coming year, and familiar authors or illustrators. The books on each grade level list should be a balance of fiction and nonfiction as well.
Then I add all those titles to the six separate lists. We sprinkle in a few older titles to round out the selections. In our free moments, my teaching partner and I add two or three sentence annotations to each book, finishing them in mid-May. Someone else proofreads, and we print them for distribution the last week of school.
It is always such a rewarding process. I remember all the titles I loved over the course of the year. I imagine ways students and families will enjoy them. It is a pleasant way to spend a winter conference evening, dreaming about summer reading.
As a parent, I always appreciated those recommended reading lists. I'm thanking you as a representative of all the other list makers, for the service you provide. And for all that thoughtful work.
ReplyDeleteThose students and parents are indeed lucky. I'd like a copy of all those lists so that I can keep up with what's best in children's literature.
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