Like a Ton of Bricks
I had planned on doing a book talk* on Criss Cross with my 5-8th grades this week. I loved that book. But when I got to school, I slipped into the 5th grade class for a visual. It helps me to visit a class when I’m planning. Notes never really help me remember the unique personalities in each room. (You know - a picture of each class would be a great idea. hmmmm)
I took one look at those kids and realized, ugh, they’re going to hate it. The room is majority sports-loving, book-disdaining young boys.
I dashed back into the library and searched the DCF list for something with some action and recommended for 4th grade. Grabbed The Giant Rat of Sumatra. I liked it alright over the summer, pirates are big, no problem.
Well. I have yet to perfect the talent of reading a book as if I were a kid. I had completely missed the fact that the vocab is dense and pre-Victorian. This Trollope fan enjoyed it, but those 5th grade boys - not so much.
It’s a tough read. I had to stop at every sentence and explain what the heck was going on. The only thing that kept me from being egged were the little pirate tidbits I threw out every few minutes. Thanks Johnny Depp.
What broke my heart was seeing some of the boys straining to understand. They were so excited about a pirate book. When a kid has a very hard time reading, does it help for me to expose them to difficult language? Or did it just freak them out? One boy did bring it home, but he’s a big reader.
I still recommend Rat for those precocious Redwall (or Henry Fielding) fans. But it could send reluctant readers screaming from the library. I think I blew it.
*Does anyone have a better word for book talks? It sounds like it should read as BookTalk TM to me. Drives me nuts.
It’s not terribly slick, but sometimes when I do book talks I tell the kids I’m “doing” trailers. Now that I think of it, why aren’t they called leaders?
11 Sep 2006 at 10:40 am
Ah Pam–
Just some general feedback on your wonderful site. AFter reading three chapters of Administering the School Library Media Center in a total vaccum, it’s a pleasure to noodle around on your blog and get some visuals to pin all this jargon down!
Now that school is underway for me, I will be a regular visitor.
And speaking of visiting, is there any chance I can come by and observe on a W/TH/FRI?
Take care, and congratulations on the blog.
Eileen
21 Sep 2006 at 12:05 pm
Like a ton of bricks….I am in the process of reading Criss Cross and although there are many parts that I am enjoying I am not sure how I would present this one when I start my DCF Booktalks. I love book talking books, both fiction and non. I just wish I had more time to do more.
I have started using Powerpoints when I book talk. I don’t always have all the books in and I hate to lug a ton of books. I write up a very short summary with a picture of the cover and then pick out a part that I love and tell the students about it. Usually I don’t read from the book unless it is a very short part.
It is hard to book talk books I don’t like but I have book talked ones I have only read reviews. Scary huh! It takes me about 45-60 minutes to do 30 titles.
Here’s a few links I found that have great Booktalking info.
Georgeanne Bonifanti
Booktalks- Quick and Simle
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/tips.htm
Booktalking basics
http://www.albany.edu/~dj2930/aboutbt.html
Booktalking Ideas
http://www.albany.edu/~dj2930/yabooktalking.html
YALSA Professional Development CenterProfessional Development Topics Booktalking
http://archive.ala.org/yalsa/profdev/booktalking.html
Librarians at Random Booktalks
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/librarians/booktalks.html
Scholastic Books for Children and Young Adults:Booktalks
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/tradebooks/booktalks/index.htm
YALSA Young Adult Library Services
http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/newsandeventsb/yalsagetreal.htm
27 Sep 2006 at 7:12 pm