Making it accessible

December 10, 2019

I had a student who recently asked when I would publish another blog post.

“I publish once a week! I had one on Tuesday,” I exclaimed.

But the student proved me wrong. “No, Mrs. Carroll. A blog post.”

He was right. I haven’t posted one in awhile. It’s easy to say that life has gotten in the way, but I really think, too, that I lost some passion that I had at the beginning of this project. I got into the swing of work and reading for the blog and reading for my two book clubs. Oh, and reading for graduate school.

My passion kind of took a back seat for a bit.

However, I had a research proposal due for my graduate class, and I decided to make the drop in motivation to read at the secondary levels my topic. This led me to do hours of research on the topic for the literature review component of the proposal. What I found actually heightened my passion again.

So what does the research say?

Basically, boiled down, kids like to read what they want to read; self-selection is key.

Furthermore, they need to know that reading is important and valued by the adults that surround them.

They also need access to text— if they aren’t getting to the library on a regular basis like they were in elementary schools, then their classrooms need to be rich book environments.

I’ve been on a mission in my classroom. I rearranged my books by genre and made space for them on the windowsill in my classroom with titles of the genres on little cards.

I brought in all my YA fiction and nonfiction that I had at home, and I scoured my family’s home for the YA from my youth.

I have spent copious amounts of money recently buying more fiction to try and find novels to teach in my room this year that may be more relevant and engaging for the students. Guess where those books will end up?

On my windowsill.

I’m also working on a self-selected book project for my class for trimester 3, so I can continue to increase reading in my kiddos.

So the moral of the story: access is necessary! I want my students to see books in my classroom. It’s easy to ignore the activity if you don’t surround yourself with it. I feel as though if I make it simple to gain good books then the students will read and will find themselves going to the library more, too.

I can’t continue to spend my money on books (although Savers proved really nice for a haul a couple of weekends ago!), so I’ve also asked for books and gift cards for Christmas for my classroom! Can’t wait to share what I get over the holidays!

Anyway, to my student who asked, here is a new blog post for you! For those of you who were wondering where I’ve been, I’m back and the passion is reignited!

Hope you are all well!

Happy holidays!