I Need Books!

Books. It has come down to the plain and simple need for books. My books would be best, but if that is not possible, I need to find some others. I need books on hunting and fishing. Skateboarding and biking. Princesses and love. I need scary stories, sports stories, and ghost stories. Unfortunately, there are not many to be found in our school library.

I took the kids to the library today. I work hard to be able to match a student with a book they might like. I had so many ideas for books for each of them!! Yet, when looking on the shelf, they were nowhere to be found. One of the girls said something about “not having any poetry books for black kids in our school.” I immediately asked if she liked Alicia Keyes, a black pop singer. Her eyes lit up and she said, “YES!” Somewhere in Colorado or Missouri is my book of poetry written by Alicia Keyes. In those boxes one would also find books on hunting, fishing, X-Games, princesses, ghosts, and a plethora of other topics my students are interested in. Unfortunately, they were not so easily found in the school Media Center.

I am determined. Slowly, but surely I will build up my classroom library all over again until I can get my books. I will start small by ordering magazine subscriptions. (If any of my readers are interested in donating a subscription, send me an e-mail and I will let you know the school address.) I have found that these students will read (and write) when it is something they are interested in. To me it is a no-brainer. Sadly, the emphasis our nation has put on testing has caused many schools to steer away from it. Ours included.

Not even two weeks into the year at a new school and I am already going against the grain. I use the textbooks as a last resort. I do not want students thinking that reading and writing come from a big, heavy book assigned by the teacher. I want them to pick up a book, magazine, or newspaper and develop a love (or a least a joy) of reading. I want them to get excited about sharing their knowledge of hunting and fishing in North Carolina through writing a guidebook for visitors. I want them to forget they are in school and get immersed in something they are passionate about (or at least interested in) through authoring a coloring book on animals or princesses. I believe, as teachers, we all want this. However, when those textbooks are so easily within reach and planning time is at a minimum, it is a challenge for many to go outside the box.

Already, I can’t imagine leaving the school. I found myself thinking about next year and how I would like all three of my classes to be the ‘inclusion kids.’ The kids who see reading and writing as a chore and would rather be doing anything but school. I haven’t yet let the complication of my personal life to enter into the equation at this time. I am doing what I do and embracing it all – even the mountains of paperwork, policies, and assessments.

I am giving these kids everything I am as a teacher. In return, they are giving me more and more of themselves everyday.