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My county recently added four novels to the 6th grade curriculum. This was exciting because the novels are current and high interest. I thought this would be perfect because I would be able to put the same book in each students' hands and plan book clubs to enhance my instruction. I am all for giving my students choice when picking their books, but it is also valuable to give students the opportunity to talk about their reading. After planning how I would implement book clubs in my room....I waited and waited for my books to arrive. When they arrived, in one small box, I disappointingly found 35 novels....a class set. During quarter 1, 125 students read 35 copies Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. Needless to say, it was not ideal. Being a teacher, I made it work, but there is nothing better than students having their own book. During quarters 2,3 and 4 we are reading three additional novels as a class. However, once again I only have 35 novels! Reading strategies can only be mastered by reading. If every student could have their own copy of the novel they will be able to take the books home to read, annotate the text, reread, use close reading strategies to analyze and plan to discuss the book with their peers. Listening to the teacher read, listening on YouTube or reading a photocopied book isn't the same. I want my students to learn to love reading. I want my students to know that I value them and believe they are important enough to have their own book. My student's do not have the financial means to purchase their books themselves.
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