Library Time

It has been a busy basketball season with 2 players. We were finally able to escape to the big library after a tournament loss. We all make a bee line for the Juvenile fiction section. Thing 1 & 2 make quick selections and then head to the x-box. Cat and I meander through the new book selection. We find 2 copies of Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin. We’re excited that we can read it at the same time. She wanders off in another direction and I head to the nonfiction.
Last week someone left a copy of Heroes of the Holocaust: True Stories of Rescues by Teens in the Teacher’s Lounge. After 3 days of no one else picking it up to read, I decided to pick it up. Knowing it would be an emotional read it then laid on our homework table for a week before I finally opened it, and stepped back in time. It is so unreal to me the horrors of this time. I remember very little from history class. That is why my next stop in the library was the non-fiction section. My choices were: In Their Own Words World War II, Kids Who Survived Tell Their Stories, and Memories of Survival.
Next stop for me is the magazine section. I choose 2 “American Patchwork & Quilting” magazines to picture gaze. That’s right. I just look at the pretty pictures because I am not a quilter. But I appreciate the art.
It’s now been about an hour and everyone is ready to check out. I smile knowing that these library times are memories my children will know, cherish and pass on to their children.

For the past 2 weeks in my class we have really been practicing getting just right books, or good fit books.  Most everyone gets the idea that they need to read these good fit books to increase their reading abilities.  Most don’t even need some gentle nudging from me.  However, there are a couple students that have yet to make the connection.  There is onestudent in particular that will read aloud to me and struuuugggle.  When I ask if they can tell me about the book the response is usually, “Well, uhh, Well, uhhh”.

“Is this a good fit book for you?” I gently ask.

“Oh yes, this is a great book! I can read it.” the boy responds enthusiastically nodding his head.

I don’t know what to say.  I don’t want to discourage, but he’s slowing himself down with this book that he is clearly not ready for. 

I put a book in hands and ask him to give a try.  The next day he said it was pretty good and asked to take a test on it.  He did, and made 100% on the test.  We were all excited and cheered for him. 

“What would you like to read next?” I ask

“Oh, I’m gonna finish this one,” he says picking up his book that he has been struggling with. 

“Would you like to pick another book to take home with that?

“Nope.”

“Okay,” I smile.

You know the old saying “You can lead a horse to water”…. I will keep this water trough full of good fit books.