Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Fiona and I thought it would be great for our teachers and librarians to have their own place here at Wild Things. Kellee's list for Tweens was so popular, so if anyone wanted to post a list of books their students or patrons really love, I'm sure all of our members would love to see it.

Or if you just wanted to hang out here and talk shop, share information, whatever, we thought it would be nice for you to have a place to do that.

Thank you for being teachers and librarians! The world is a better place for your efforts!

*applause and fanfare*

Anyway so if you all wouldn't mind re-introducing yourselves to the group, maybe talk about what grades/ages you teach or tell us something about your library. I know my brain is a sieve since pre-menopause, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, so ... please refresh our memory and re-introduce yourselves here, then if you'd like, start your own threads!

*pours coffee, puts out brownies*

Well, I am a library student! I should be done with my MLIS this time next year. I was going for archives but now I figured that the library is my home so I will be focusing my last 3 classes on public librarianship. It is taking me forever to get my degree because I work full time and have a 1 and 2 year old so...

But I would love to get some ideas on my upcoming thesis so maybe this would be a great spot to get some feedback! I was thinking of doing it on Goodreads and how it effects the library itself...

Any ideas?? Suggestions?

One small thought Donna - I use Inter-library loan even more than I used to before joining GR, now that I'm getting so many recommendations of new books.

And I second the applause for the efforts of good teachers and librarians!

That's my thoughts too! I haven't used the library this much in years!!!

*Pours some decaf. Lots of splenda and cream. Grabs a brownie. Takes a seat and crosses my legs*
Hello everyone :)
I am a 7th grade language arts teacher. I am about to enter into my 5th year.
I have a classroom library in my class with over 1300 titles. I pride myself in helping each of my students find books that they will like so they can see the joy of reading and I have had pretty good success with it. One of my favorite things is hearing a student tell me they read their first book independently because I helped them find a book they liked.
I also love helping other teachers, parents, librarians, etc. find books and expand their knowledge! I also love learning about new books because I love being up to date and knowledgeable!

Donna-
Goodreads has pushed me to be a more explorative (is that a word ;P) reader and because of it I use the library often to preview books before purchasing them. Before Goodreads, I read authors and books I knew about so I didn't have to preview them, but Goodreads has pushed me to become a more diverse reader.

I am also very lucky that my library delivers and it has allowed me to get books from all the different branches in my city, thus making finding books more friendly.

Brownies........yummy!

Hi everyone! I'm a gifted and talented teacher. I teach grades K-4 mainly, but recently got displaced an not so patiently awaiting a new placement. I've been teaching 14 years (going on 15) and spent most of my time in a regular education classroom. I'm currently working on my master's in special education. I have two little boys (the loves and challenges of my life) who turned four in March.

I've been an avid reader for a long time. When I was younger, I read two or three books at a time, which astounded and bugged my mother. For a long time I read mainly Robin Cook and some sci fi that I got from my brother. In the last five to eight years, I started reading trashy romance (because they are quick reads), chick lit, and general fiction. My latest obsession is anything vampire and angel related.

In my classroom I probably have over a thousand titles. I try to read a lot of books that I put into my students hands because I love hearing what they are interested in. My students love to talk about the books they read so I set up a classroom website through a great program (edmodo.com) which has really helped me get to know my kids a lot better.

Thanks to Laura and Fiona for this!

Yay, so glad to learn more about you guys!

One question - the books in your classroom - do you guys have to buy them with your own money or do your schools give you a fund for that? Those are big libraries you both have!

Laura wrote: "Yay, so glad to learn more about you guys!

One question - the books in your classroom - do you guys have to buy them with your own money or do your schools give you a fund for that? Those are big..."

Oh man! I wish my school would give me a fund. I do get a stipend for school supplies at the beginning of the year that I always spend on books (but that means I'll have to buy other supplies later...). [Luckily my school does support class books though and I always have a copy for each student if I am teaching the book.:]

Most of my books I've purchased my self. Luckily, all of the bookstores around here give educator discounts and I also have a bookstore that often has some pretty awesome books on sale.

I also had a really good home library of books from my youth that I have put in my classroom. (Although that was pretty hard because I LOVED some of those books and I hate to see them tossed in backpacks...)

Another way I get books is with bonus points through Scholastic book orders. Scholastic book orders are fabulous, because when a student orders a book, you get bonus points per dollar amount spent (sometimes there are bonuses, coupons, etc.) and then you can spend the bonus points to get books. I get a lot of books that way. (They also have cheaper books than a lot of bookstores which helps with expenses.)

But I really feel that an awesome classroom library really promotes independent reading, so I have sacrificed. As my expenses add up (we bought a house a bit over a year ago, I'm paying back my school loans, etc.), I find myself buying less books, but I try to keep as up to date as I can. (I am also lucky to have an awesome media center at my school, so even if I end up not owning books, I can send them there. Often I only buy the 1st book of a series and the rest is in the library.)

I do tax returns for a few teachers, and I'm always amazed at how much you all spend on classroom supplies! Teachers are such wonderful people. Think of how you're shaping the future, all of you! It's such a very cool thing.

*bows*

*puts out Popsicles and iced tea*

Laura wrote: "*puts out Popsicles and iced tea*"

Popsicles!! I don't have any dessert at home- this is great! :P

I use Scholastic book orders a lot. Each month I always get one or two books (or sometimes sets) with my bonus points. There are often deals where they give you money to spend.

Most of my library (when I was starting) came from my dad. He is an avid yard saler (is that a word?) and he would buy me boxes of books for cheap. Like a huge box for five dollars. People around here apparently don't read. So I started my library that way.

Now a days, I use only the book orders because I just don't have the money to spend to constantly find things.

i realize that i'm totally stepping into the middle of a conversation here, so i apologize!

just to introduce myself, i'm tammy and i'm a high school french teacher. i am currently working on my master's in library science, so i'm hoping that this is my last year teaching french.

Don't apologize, Tammy, I'm hoping all our teachers & librarians will come in and re-introduce themselves and tell us a little bit about what they do!

I have a good friend who's a retired middle school french teacher. I bet it's a little more fun teaching high school french, as I'd think it gets pretty advanced, right?

Bonjour Tammy!! Maybe I can practice my french on ya. Very rusty as I haven't used it in years!!!

Welcome!

Yes, Laura, I teach through level 5 French. And of course, anyone can practice French with me! : )

Wow! A place for teachers and librarians...cool. *accepts ice tea and brownie* Well, I am Aly and I am an elementary principal - now don't go running off- really principals aren't so bad. Anyway, I love books and once a month teachers and school librarians in my area get together for "books and bagels" on Saturday morning and share what we are reading. But I love GoodReads because I can chat all the time about books not just one Saturday a month.

My school has a large number of English Language Learners and students with Special Needs. 70% are low-income. I do read-alouds in classrooms and book challenges with kids to try and get them excited about reading.

Thanks for getting this going...

Wow, Aly! Didn't know that. I don't run from prinicpals (unless it's the one I work for......she's not great).

Amy - I think it is hard. Some of your staff will love you and some will dislike you no matter what you do. It is a hard position to be in. You are always going to make someone unhappy (parents, teachers, etc.) You just have to try your best.

Well it makes it harder when the person in charge plays favorites, is unethical and just doesn't care.

Hello all :)
I have been teaching for 7yrs going on my 8th. I LOVE reading and recommending books to students & parents alike. Often when I do a novel study I have 2 or 3 parents asking for their own copies of the book. I also love finding hidden treasures that I haven't heard others mention :)

What grade do you teach Shae?

Amy wrote: "Well it makes it harder when the person in charge plays favorites, is unethical and just doesn't care."

True....there are all types...some better than others.

Hello all~
Just found this group today and had to join because I love YA lit! I was a teacher for 8 years in Cairo, Egypt - mostly upper elementary/middle school - ESL and children with special needs.

Currently, I work with graduate students at the University of Texas, assisting teachers working towards a degree or certification in teaching reading and/or ESL. Our program has a heavy focus on literature-based instruction so I'm always on the lookout for good recommendations.

In another life, I'd be a librarian...

Egypt! How cool! What brought you to Egypt Bernadette?

Amy wrote: "Egypt! How cool! What brought you to Egypt Bernadette?"

I moved to Cairo with my parents originally when I was 16 because of my father's job. Spent five years between there and university in the States until I graduated and returned to Egypt for my first teaching job. Been here ever since!

May I ask a favor of you all? Our children's book festival is holding a FUNdraiser prior to the festival. If any of you are in Orange County Calif and are looking for a "Summer Reading Challenge" our A Book & a Buck may be something you could use and lots of kids will benefit from! http://kidsbookfestival.com/bookandab...

Thanks for your time...let the desserts resume!

Robyn (biting into a lemon bar with her coffee)

Yum, lemon bars.........Although we just spent three hours at the pool, so popsicles for me!

Robyn wrote: "May I ask a favor of you all? Our children's book festival is holding a FUNdraiser prior to the festival. If any of you are in Orange County Calif and are looking for a "Summer Reading Challenge"..."

Wow! This sounds great. I am in L.A. County but will check this out.

Alyson - for the first year they limited it to OC students...I am trying to get them to open it up to SoCal next year.

But - by all means put the OC Children's Book Festival on your calendar - it's free and the largest children's book festival in the country!

We have added a Teen/YA stage this year and have lined up some FABULOUS children's and YA authors!

I am posting my signature line(s) this time because it also serves as an intro!

Robyn Hawk
@ReadingItAll
Amazon Vine Voice: Reading It All
http://booksreadingitall.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ReadingItAllR...

OC Children's Book Festival, Teen Stage Coordinator
http://www.kidsbookfestival.com/
follow us at: @kidsbookfest
http://www.facebook.com/OCCBF

Robyn wrote: "Alyson - for the first year they limited it to OC students...I am trying to get them to open it up to SoCal next year.

But - by all means put the OC Children's Book Festival on your calendar - it'..."

So does that mean you can or can't attend the festival if you are from out of the area? Just clarifying.

The festival is open to the PUBLIC - anyone from anywhere...I was referring to the Readathon when I said it was limited to OC kids.

In fact I should have a list of authors to brag about soon! ;-p

Robyn wrote: "The festival is open to the PUBLIC - anyone from anywhere...I was referring to the Readathon when I said it was limited to OC kids.

In fact I should have a list of authors to brag about soon! ;-p"

That's what I thought but felt I should get clarification. I'll put it on my calendar.

I'm looking forward to the festival too. Maybe I'll meet you ladies there ;-)

Hey guys! Just figured out we had our own place. I'm Kristen, I'm an elementary school librarian in really poor and highly hispanic area. It's my second year there coming up and I'm hoping to step it up a notch. We introduced some great rewards programs and one of our state book awards challenge last year and I can't wait to see how those programs grow this coming year. We also reorganized the library and I started a graphic novels collection, which has been a huge hit with my students.

:)

Do you guys do battle of the books?

We don't, but my aunt works at a junior high as the librarian and they do it there I know. :)

What is battle of the books!

Basically the kids get a list of about 12 books (for elementary I think) and then they need to read those books. Then towards the end of the year, they go to competition. Each team has to answer questions about the books. It's really cool.

Amy wrote: "Do you guys do battle of the books?"

We do battle of the books here. My media specialist runs it and they use the state nominated books.

Ok that sounds cool. What other ideas do people use to motivate reluctant readers?!

I really think the best way to motivate reluctant readers is to show them that there are books that they'll enjoy (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Bluford Series, Roald Dahl, etc.). I work one on one with kids to find a book I think they'll like and I think that time with them and the personally picked book just for them really makes them feel special.

I spent all year promoting books in one of my sixth grade class. Trying to set up some easy challenges, sharing my discoveries and book events. Teacher worked closely with me and I think we made some progress but think we must find some better ways. Most of my kids are from low income homes without adult reading role models. So always on the look out for new ideas

Alyson wrote: "I spent all year promoting books in one of my sixth grade class. Trying to set up some easy challenges, sharing my discoveries and book events. Teacher worked closely with me and I think we made so..."

I really think it is something that a teacher is going to have to do on a daily basis. I talk to my kids daily about their reading, they do weekly reading logs, and it makes the classroom such a community. I've never done any sort of motivational thing to promote reading...

However, we do have a program called Reading Counts and next year my media specialist is going to give prizes for the number of points that the student gets- do you have something similar?

Due to budget cuts we lost all if our librarians/media specialists for next year. And teachers do have reading logs and try to encourage reading but sometimes I feel like we are fighting a losing battle. Hence why I wanted some new ideas.

Alyson wrote: "Due to budget cuts we lost all if our librarians/media specialists for next year. And teachers do have reading logs and try to encourage reading but sometimes I feel like we are fighting a losing b..."

Well do you have reading counts or accelerated reader, because they make it quite easy to track and to give prizes?

And BTW, I CANNOT believe they cut media specialists! That is horrible- I am so sorry :(

Hi all, I'm a teacher educator. Now I know that some of you are running off now! I hope somebody out there has fond memories of their credential classes.

My students are all teacher credential candidates and are hungry for ideas on how to pass on their passion for books to their future kids. One of my goals for next year is to get my students to read widely so that they can start building up a bank of knowledge to match their students' interests.

I can't wait to pass on the wisdom and share the love from all you wonderful teachers and librarians with our young teacher-lings.