WLPCS Library Newsletter
News and Updates from Q3 2015-2016
Caught reading!
Instructional Corner: Reading support
Bringing that love of reading to students is an essential part of what we do, no matter what subject we teach. Here are a few suggestions for ways to encourage and develop readers in your classes.
- Establish a classroom library of both discipline-specific and high-interest leisure books for students, even if you don't teach English. When students have high-interest books to choose from, they are more likely to choose to read for wait-time and see that reading is important no matter what field you choose to study or work in.
- Create a "recommended reads" bookshelf in your classroom where you can showcase your favorite books. Despite what they might say, your recommendations of books have a great influence on your students.
- Bring your class to the school library to highlight some of your favorite books or give them a place to read. Even 15 minutes of class time can help create more engaged readers, and I'm happy to support students who struggle to choose books to read and stick with reading them.
If you would like to add to or start a classroom library, come see me! I often get extra donated books, and would be happy to have you "shop" for books in the library storage area.
New Library Books!: Nonfiction Roundup
We added 173 books to the library collection in Q3, including a large amount of ancient world and US history nonfiction and noteworthy picture books. One of my goals for this year has been to strengthen our nonfiction offerings to better support what you teach and engage better with readers who prefer nonfiction. This month's featured books are all nonfiction texts to recommend to student readers and researchers.
Earth's Climate Change : Carbon Dioxide Overload by James Bow
The energy we use to power the technology we love in today's world, comes with a cost -- the energy forms we use often pump carbon dioxide into the environment. This nonfiction text covers energy alternatives and talks about ways to consume energy responsibly. Recommended for: grades 3-6
Sex Is a Funny Word : a Book About Bodies, Feelings, and You by Cory Silverberg
This graphic novel provides a diverse look at the human body and sexuality for students ages 8-11, including multiple body types and family styles in illustrations. Valuable to educators and families, it provides a way to talk with children about boundaries, respect, and trust, laying important foreground for ongoing conversation about these important topics. Recommended for: grade 3-6
Great Electronic Gadget Designs, 1900-Today by Ian Graham
A survey of the most popular electronic gadgets in recent history, including popular communication and video game devices, this book would be of interest to students interested in the history of technology and design. Recommended for: Grade 5 and up
Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Don Brown's powerful graphic novel tells the story of one of the worst natural disasters in US history as it happened. Recommended for: grade 7 and up
Marx by Corinne Maier
A graphic novel biography of Marx, this book gives an overview of the life and work of the philosopher. Quotes from primary sources enhance student understanding of Marx's life and work. The book would pair well with philosophical texts or other biographies for class projects and research. Recommended for: grade 9 and up
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler : Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Philip Hoose
Though Denmark is known for it's resistance toward German occupation in WWII, they were not in opposition from the beginning of the war. It took the work of a young man, Knud Pedersen, and his friends to inspire the Danish resistance. Knud and his friends formed the Churchill Club to sabotage the Germans, even though they suffered great personal cost for their actions. Recommended for: grade 9 and up
100 Decisive Battles : From Ancient Times to the Present by Paul Davis
While writing a decisive list of any subject is bound to create some controversy, this book effectively provides short synopses of important battles in history. The book covers ancient battles like Salamis and Marathon, but also more recent battles like the Tet Offensive. The book will serve both researchers and those looking for a way to begin to study military history. Recommended for: grade 9 and up