I’ve been taking impromptu surveys of the kids. I ask them if they like library time, if being in the library has changed how they view reading, if it has changed how much they read, and how I can do better next year. I have a ton of these, so I’m going to spread them out a bit. I guess this is really more for me, to remember my first year in the library and how it changed my life.
3rd Grade
I read more now because I figured out reading is fun.
Some books have lessons for kids.
Sometimes people can’t afford books to read, so we get to get them here.
I like everything about library, but it takes a while to get a new book. A lot of the books are super old–like from 1997.
I want more fair tale books.
4th Grade
Every time you read a book, you go into another adventure and meet new people.
We read an hour every night now! We call it family reading time.
I just want to read, read, read, read, read until I…I don’t know…fall off my bed.
I feel like my school has everything now.
It totally changed my point of view of being quiet.
From the older boy who checked out a romance
I know can check out whatever book I want and you won’t make fun of me.
photo source: Lady Bird Johnson visiting a classroom for Project Head Start. The National Archives.
You may be getting a Thank You card from the parents of the child who has a new perspective on being quiet.
One of my favorite moments volunteering in the library involves a boy in the 4th grade. He approached me because he had seen the movie “Where the Red Fern Grows” and wanted to read the book. It was checked out, so I helped him reserve it. He still needed a book to read so I asked if he had ever heard of “Ol’ Yeller”? He replied, “Yes! It’s sad! I must have it!”
“I just want to read, read, read, read, read until I�I don�t know�fall off my bed.” That melted my heart a little!
Also, that picture – I love how that little girl is sushing the boys playing with the airplane.
These kind of posts sure speak volumes about how we never know the influence of our actions. You provide a nurturing library experience and those kids grow into amazing readers.
Oh my – so many of these I just love! But first, I really love Miss Goody Two Shoes in the picture telling everyone to be quiet. :) That would have been me! There are so many that touched my heart – I can’t imagine how they have touched yours! – but this is the one that I relate to the most. Needs to be on a T-shirt:
“I just want to read, read, read, read, read until I�I don�t know�fall off my bed.” Me too, kid, me too!
The last one speaks volumes about so many important things. Good on you, Jules.
The “super old” comment reminds me of something. Robert had a biography book on Robrt E Lee for a history report. He asked if he should use it “cause it’s like 30 years old.” I said it was fine, there’s probably no new info on him since the 60s. He said, “it’s from 1988.”
Then I felt very old.
“I like everything about library, but it takes a while to get a new book. A lot of the books are super old�like from 1997.” Oh man, what does that make ME? Super Duper Old? LOL
::::::
“I just want to read, read, read, read, read until I�I don�t know�fall off my bed.” ME, TOO! I need this on a t-shirt ( I think someone else noted this, as well).
You are doing amazing things with those kids! Yay for you Mrs Kendall!!!
1997!!! The horror!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
Those are precious.
Is that a picture of Lady Bird?
What an amazing job you’re doing Jules!
If that 3rd grader thinks books from 1997 are old, then they would probably think a dinosaur hatched me out of an egg.
These comments are so great. You should be proud of your work.
I saw a link on CNN today and thought about you : ) It’s an article featuring photographs of fabulous libraries. I thought it was really interesting…
I’m always hesitant to click on links from strangers (it’s like the grown up version of “don’t take candy from strangers”) so I’ll put it here, but I’m sure you can find it on CNN: “Libraries are dying? Think again”
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/14/travel/irpt-library-fascination-travel/index.html
Thanks for sharing Linda. There were some amazing libraries there. And so interesting to read about how libraries are being reinvented, and yet stay the same. I was surprised to not see mention of any Carnegie libraries in the article. My grandmother’s town had one, and its still used today. Andrew Carnegie was instrumental in creating libraries as we know them today – community institutions. His libraries were actually some of the first to have open stacks – where “common people” could just walk right up to the books and pick the ones they wanted to read.
http://www.npr.org/2013/08/01/207272849/how-andrew-carnegie-turned-his-fortune-into-a-library-legacy
“I feel like my school has everything now.” These warm the cockles of my heart . . . :)
You are doing great things!!! My 3rd grade son has always struggled with reading. Last year he read Zombie in the Library by Michael Dahl and LOVED it. He picked it up again this year but it’s too easy for him now. Do you have any recommendations for him? He’s in to minecraft and a lot of the same things your boys are into but he’s reading level is not as advanced. Please let me know what you would recommend! I would love to have him express the same feelings about reading as your boys and students.