Books for Your Classroom

I was going through my old books that my parents have kept and I was picking out books I could use in the classroom. I realized that I was selecting only the books that I had enjoyed as a child and not the ones my sister had enjoyed. This made me realize that you have to be diverse in selecting books so that you have stories that would interest all the students. I don't want to leave out certain types of books just because I didn't enjoy them and risk not providing a book that will catch a students attention and get them into reading. I remember my grandmother sending me the book that hooked me. It was a Nancy Drew book and from the moment I started reading it I could not stop. I want to provide students with as many types of books possible so that they find that one book that gets them hooked.

Tips for selecting books for your classroom:

• Younger children enjoy books that use word repetition, rhymes, and predictable text. Look for books with colorful pictures and simple words.
• Choose stories that provide new experiences, such as folktales or books about different countries and cultures
• Choose books that match your students interests, from dinosaurs to dancing. (Most children like books that are funny.)
• Visit the Between the Lions web site (pbskids.org/lions) for more on children and reading.

http://www.nea.org/grants/13627.htm