Overall, I serve all our 650 diverse 6th, 7th and 8th grade students as I am a teacher-librarian. Our school is a Title I school serving a wide profile of students (IEPs, ELLs, DHH and GT), those that are advanced, and those simply lagging behind because of gaps in their educational background. Our school is located in a suburban/urban area just west of Denver.
Despite their various backgrounds, our students love reading and visiting our outdated (in decor), but friendly and inclusive library.
We are working to further expand a culture of reading at our school with engaging programs like "Battle of the Books", a Readers Advisory Group (students advise us what books to , and winter/summer break reading programs. Many of our teachers start the first 10 minutes of class with choice reading time. Students engage in conversations about books. They love being TAs (teachers assistants) in eighth grade - a highly regarded position in which they have to apply and be accepted. Because of that, our students literally run the library. Even our 6th graders hangout voluntarily during their recess (sort of like a TA in training). Creating a love an passion for reading is our mission.
My Project
Graphic novels are attractive and imaginative! For struggling readers, this is an engaging strategy to hook them into becoming lifelong readers. And, for some of our more diverse students (ADHD, autistic, dyslexic), these books hold their attention. And for most students, graphic novels are simply just fun! The problem: they disappear from our shelves lighting fast!
Our library is trying to expand our graphic novel collection so that we can keep our reluctant readers engaged, developing a life-long love for reading.
Graphic novels are a great way to introduce them to some classics that they would otherwise dismiss instantly. Students are able to connect the written word to visual representations, expanding their ability to make inferences and develop vocabulary. Through reading graphic novels, they have great understanding of symbolism.
Getting more graphic novels is the number one, almost daily, request from students. Our students would be ecstatic and giddy with more graphic novels in circulation in our library.
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