10 Weeks of Newsletters

Friday, July 2, 2021

Week 5: Reading Aloud to Secondary Students

  


Reading Aloud to Secondary Students


If you are already reading aloud to your students you are convinced and these articles will be preaching to the choir but if not -- they are must reads.
Recommendations for elementary teachers to read aloud to their classrooms at a minimum of 5-6 times a day has become a standard refrain in many literacy circles - one that I totally support.  One can read a poem, short story, newspaper article, chapter of a book, and so forth.  But generally there is resistance from secondary educators (teachers and administrators) who view their limited time with a specific class as too precious to include anything else but a pure focus on the topic at hand.  That is, in my opinion short-sighted.  If we truly want students to be a member of a literate community/culture we must instill literacy at every turn - and that means in every classroom.  That doesn't mean 1/2 the period, but what's to keep a science teacher from reading aloud a science related poem.  Several of Shel Silverstein's books have science related poems - "Nope" - about a microscope and a cantaloupe might led to some investigation regarding what lives on food. (Silverstein, Shel. Falling Up : Poems and Drawings. HarperCollins, 1996), or   "The Microscope," a short poem by Maxine Kumin (1925-2014). (Poem is available in book format but o.p., but is also is in many anthologies).  The poem begins "Anton Leeuwenhoek was Dutch. He sold pincushions, cloth, and such...,"  I'm sure readers can come up with many more examples.  But whatever the situation reading aloud to young learners at any age is one of the best things we can do for them. 
There are many biographical poems that can lead to more reading. Build your own selections - create a file.
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I love trivia and this is a piece of trivia that is just too good not to share:

1999-Angela Johnson won the Coretta Scott King Award for Heaven.
As an 11 year old sixth grader Elizabeth Acevedo wrote to Johnson asking for more information about Bobby a secondary character in Heaven. She did not get a direct reply. But ...
2004- The First Part Last telling the story of Bobby was published. And Angela Johnson won the CSK award & the Printz Award for the story. Here is the book's dedication.
2010 - Elizabeth Acevedo is teaching middle-school literature classes and, later, pursuing her MFA in creative writing.  Secretly she was writing The Poet X.  One of her middle school students, Katherine, asked "Where are the books about us?"  Acevedo's writing was still a secret.

2019 -  Elizabeth Acevedo wins the Printz and Pura Belpré Awards for The Poet X. The dedication reads:
Questions answered, writing revealed - and the theme moves on. acevedowrites.com
https://www.ajohnsonauthor.com/

It's never to early to start and
never too late to begin.

Diverse Books: Native American Writers and Their Books 
Contemporary books by and about Native American Indians are few and far between -- the vast majority of exposure teens get to seeing American Indians in books is as Indian Chiefs in the old west. Cynthia Leitich Smith is one of the best writers and this is one of the best. Don't miss it.
Smith, C.L. (2018) Hearts Unbroken. New York: Candlewick.
“Hearts Unbroken is a rare blend of teenage romance and social consciousness that never insults the intelligence of its readers. Truly shows what life is like for a contemporary American Indian teenager trying to fit into the larger context of American society.” —Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki), author of CODE TALKER
More actions:
    1) Locate and share one review of this book - from a credible source.
    2) Locate information about the author and her background.
    3) Locate information (and comment) about one other book by Smith.
    4) Read one of her books - she is an awesome writer.
In 2021 HarperCollins will launch a new imprint - Heartdrum, under the leadership of Cynthia Leitich Smith.  The Imprint will focus on publishing books featuring native characters, and culture.

There are several libraries that share lists of books written by and about Native Americans - such as the Los Angeles Public Libraries' list at https://www.lapl.org/teens/books/native-american-young-adult-fiction-you-need-read - Native American Young Adult Fiction You Need to Read.

These lists are not restricted to the 5-year publication window we are discussing in this forum; however, most if not all are excellent classic novels focusing on the Native American Experience.  There is one notable exception.  Sherman Alexie has long been touted as a Native American writer of note.  However due to accusations that have come to light and problems with the manner in which he has portrayed the Native American - essentially pandering to the image that non-Native Americans hold regarding the Native American experience, his work is no longer recommended by many experts of Native American writing.  For more about this situation read Debbie Reese's An Open Letter About Sherman Alexie, published February 25, 2018.  The letter is posted on Reese's American Indians in Children's Literature Blog at https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2018/02/an-open-letter-about-sherman-alexie.html

~~~ 
Kwame Alexander
  • Alexander, K. ( 2014) Crossover. HMH Books for Young Readers. (2015 Newbery Award, Coretta Scott King honor award. 
  • Alexander, K. ( 2016 ) Booked. HMH Books for Young Readers. 
  • Alexander, K. (2017) Playbook:52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in this Game Called Life. HMH Books for Young Readers.
  • Alexander, K. (2017) Rebound. HMH Books for Young Readers.
    and other titles in the picture book category, biography, and other genres.
Many of Alexander's titles are read by upper elementary, as well as, middle school and high school readers.  Kwame Alexander is an author who writes at a level that appeals to many ages -- and the writing is accessible.  Alexander's books have brought many reluctant students to books

NPR Staff. (2016 Apr 3) How to get kids hooked on books? ' Use poetry. It is a surefire way.' NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2016/04/03/472859082/how-to-hook-kids-on-books-try-poetry.
Quoting from NPR Staff (2016) regarding Alexander's books (verse novels) ...
    "Kwame Alexander writes books that bend genres — novels about middle school boys, written not in prose but verse. And he does it well: His book The Crossover won the Newbery Medal last year for children's literature. His new book is no different.
    Composed of a series of poems, Booked tells the story of a 12-year-old named Nick, a boy who loves soccer and hates books. But, as Alexander notes, there's a reason for that. ..."
Check out the NPR article and if you find other articles that suggest some great new books of poetry or verse novels to read please share.

There are several lists accessible on the Internet that lists favorite poetry titles for YA readers - not necessarily within the 5 year publication window.  One such article is posted on the TeachThought Staff's 25 of the Best Poetry Books for Teens at https://www.teachthought.com/learning/25-best-poetry-books-teens/.  None of Alexander's titles are mentioned but those by Karen Hesse, Margarita Engle, Jacqueline Woodson, Naomi Shihab Nye, and several authors of established classic titles.  I would certainly include those by Kwame Alexander, Laura Halse Anderson, Marilyn Nelson ...
Since his entrance into the world of YA Lit Alexander has gone on to publish more extremely popular titles. Check out the following titles at https://kwamealexander.com/product/f/BOOKS/.

~~~ 
Naomi Shihab Nye - Poet Laureate 2019-2021
decorative graphic
Every two years, the Poetry Foundation names a Young People's Poet Laureate (and awards the poet $25,000).  
Q. What is a Young People’s Poet Laureate? 
A. Awarded by the Poetry Foundation for a two-year tenure, the young people’s poet laureate aims to raise awareness that young people have a natural receptivity to poetry and are its most appreciative audience, especially when poems are written specifically for them. 

 In 2006, Jack Prelutsky was the first winner of the Children's Poet Laureate award followed by Mary Ann Hoberman, J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt. 

The title shifted in 2015 with Jacqueline Woodson being awarded the first Young People's Poet Laureate award https://www.poetryfoundation.org/foundation/press/detail/2015/71807. 

Two years later, in 2017, Margarita Engle was named the young people's poet laureate. See https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/margarita-engle for more information. 

In May of 2019 the next poet laureate was named - Naomi Shihab Nye will serve as poet laureate until 2021. - https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/san-antonio-based-poet-naomi-shihab-nye-named-young-peoples-poet-laureate/

The 2015, 2017, and the 2019 poet laureates represent diverse cultures - making the use of poetry an accessible means of introducing cultural perspectives.

~~~
Arthur Slade
Arthur Slade, is an author who will be loved by all those who are interested in exploring fantasy - and what is fantasy without dragons.
Dragon Assassin series is Slade's newest series.
Carmen is about to graduate from Assassin school. Eight years of training finally comes to an end. But the Emperor has declared war on assassins. Graduation night might become the fight of her life.
The first three books have been immensely popular with YA readers and in 2019 the fourth title, Bitterwaters, is ready for readers, with even more dragons.
http://www.arthurslade.com/

Interestingly Slade has garnered a loyal following from readers exclusively with his books only being available as Kindle editions. Dava Enterprises/distributed by Amazon has published all the titles in the series thus far.
~~~

End of week 5 newsletter 

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