Dear Reader,
October is a wonderful month for learning (routines are set, relationships are being built, the "basics" have been covered), but what I really want to chat about is November. November is Native American Heritage Month and I have books for you to highlight next month and then continue to read all year long.
Keep reading for a brand-new teacher guide on We Still Belong by Christine Day plus previously shared teacher guides for two other books offering representation of American Indians and Native Hawaiians.
New Teacher Guide: We Still Belong
Building your classroom library is a work in progress. It’s never really done because your students change, the pressing issues of the day change, and new books are published every month. Before Native American Heritage Month begins in November, pick up your copy of We Still Belong and add it to your shelves. Your students will love it.
Also check out Rez Ball by Byron Graves and Hula by Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes for your high school classroom libraries.
Literacy Outside of ELA
You don't have to be an ELA teacher to be a reading role model. All you need to do is find some way to share with your students what you are reading.
When students see that their favorite teachers like to read, it normalizes reading as an activity. It sends a message: "the person I look up to reads, therefore I should read."
When you're ready to share about your reading life, keep it:
Perhaps you don't read a lot of novels but you do read the newspaper every day. Tell students that! Are you reading travel blogs to plan your next trip? Share them. Loving the most recent Cooks Illustrated? You know what to do.
Don't have enough class time? Try one of these passive ways to share what you're reading?
- Print or cut out interesting articles and hang them on your white board.
- Prop a book up on the white board marker tray or on a table in the front of your classroom with a sign saying "I'm currently reading..."
- Hang one of these posters on your classroom door and update it weekly. Laminate it so that you can write on it with dry-erase markers.
What do you do to be a reading role model? Hit reply and let us know!
Classroom Libraries in the Wild
Would you be willing to share photos of your classroom library?
Your bookshelves, reading nooks, title recommendations, and genre displays are beautiful and we would love to see them. If you're ready to show off your hard work and inspire a fellow teacher, please fill out this Google Form. Thank you for considering!
Have a good one and learn everything you can,
Hannah
PS: Want to chat about the books you're teaching, or talk through the half-formed unit idea floating around in your head? Reply to this email and let's chat — these conversations are my jam.
This email may include affiliate links. Any purchases made through them come at no extra cost to you but they help keep this newsletter free and accessible.
