We recently received a Scholastic Non Fiction Library for
our classroom. This library is filled
with a variety of trade books that relate to the Common Core Standards. I was able to attend a workshop held by
Scholastic to train us on the types of books we received and ways to use them
in our instruction. During this
training, we were asked to think about our Text Lineage. We were asked to share
three books that had impacted us throughout our life. As I reflected over my three books to share,
I realized that my childhood favorites impacted the way I teach every day. I thought this activity might help you learn
a little more about me.
My first book
is Corduroy
by Don Freeman. I loved watching Captain
Kangaroo as a child. One day I was sick
and stayed home with my grandmother. This
book was featured on the show. I fell in
love with the book because I was able to connect to this story in so many
ways. All children know what it is like
to want a new toy. Lisa was so much like
me because I loved to mother my stuffed animals. In fact, I had a special
teddy bear named, Cuddles. My mom bought
this book for me. I felt so special
because I had a “famous” book. I continue to read this book each year to my students. They know this was one of my favorites as a child.
My next book is Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. I received this book
from my parents after making the A/B honor roll in Third Grade. I still have my original copy. This may be surprising but reading didn’t
come easy for me. I struggled in school
to learn how to read. I remember how
excited I was to make the A/B honor roll. This book was filled with incredible poetry
that I could read! I sat in my room for
hours and read these poems over and over because I felt successful!
The
last book in my Text Lineage is
I was given this
book while I was a facilitator. I
immediately began reading and could not put the book down. I don’t know if I have ever had a book that
changed my thinking as much as this book.
I knew I had to get back in the classroom and try Donalyn Miller’s
approach to reading. This is my first
full year of using the Reader’s Workshop approach in my classroom. The results are amazing! I just assessed my
children and over half of my class is reading way beyond where they should be
at the end of the year. Just think we have another nine weeks left. I took the jump, gave up my basal and
implemented 90 minutes of Reader’s Workshop and 30 minutes of Literature
Stations/Guided Reading.
The
books we read and our experiences shape who we are. What is your text lineage?
First
graders that have had lots of experiences with books can begin their text
lineage. Stay tuned to pics of my
student’s “Powerful Books”.
