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Is there another ELA teacher in your building at your general grade level? Or a school librarian who can give you tips?
The answer to this depends a lot on attitudes in your community. And as a first year teacher your position is a bit different.
I know I'll have a mentor teacher once the school year starts up, but I don't really have much contact with anyone before then. I'll make it a priority to have a conversation with her about it! Thank you for suggesting that!
The answers here prove that us teachers are being chilled and drilled to accede to the most conservative ideals. If you follow these restrictions, the gay kid will never see a book about others like them, and neither will kids of different religions, or they will never read an honest view of slavery or other “edgy” topics. It’s sad, really.
What about asking 7th-, 8th-, 9th-grade students for their favorite titles? I think their answers might result in more books being read, and you can always CYA if you need to do that by saying you asked the kids.
I may do that moving forward! I'm not looking to purchase any more books right now, but that would be a great way to continue building my library now that I'm out of college literature courses!
Coach
I highly suggest that you send home a short letter of intro. with your syllabus that includes a list of books that you intend to use for whole class instruction during the year (should be a district-approved list). In your letter, also mention the importance of student self-selection of books in developing literacy and life-long readers and enlist their help in discussing family expectations for choice with their child, since they know them best. Let caretakers know that students may select books from the classroom, school, and community libraries or from home. I find if you are transparent with folks, reach out early, and get THEIR help in guiding the student, you will avoid so much trouble, and they will be much more supportive and appreciative of your goals. You will get emails where parents say that their kid may read any book they want, and others will thank you for making them a partner!
Part of the current turmoil in schools stems from a lack of trust that people have in our societal institutions. (Education has become the center of this.) It’s not our job to censor nor to push particular content for students’ reading choice books. Let parents do their jobs and communicate with their children what they want. It is not possible for you to read hundreds of books in your library.
This is a great idea! Thank you! I do plan to re-read everything in my own personal library to evaluate any potential controversies/triggers, but I love the idea of including this kind of discussion in the syllabus!
I’m afraid there’s no concrete answer to this one (apart from the obvious over the top gore, violence or sexually explicit content that will be unlikely to come up). It will depend very much on the sentiments of your parents and wider community stakeholders. I’d approach a more experienced or senior member of staff with the same question as they’re likely to have an idea what the parents might disagree with. If that’s not a possibility and approaching admin or leadership isn’t either resources like https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ or even more conservative options could help. Just make sure you consult a wide variety of them for any books as a wide net will likely catch most of the concerns parents might have. If you’re still unsure please send us some examples on here I’m sure someone will have likely taught it and can help anticipate some hurdles you might need to consider or pre-warn parents and admin about.
I know I'll have a mentor teacher this year since it's my first, so I will definitely make it a priority to ask her about. Thank you for the advice!
I would definitely leave off books on Mormon faith because that's asking for trouble. The letter of introduction with syllabus is a great idea. So is asking the students for suggestions. You could even create a Donor's Choose project with the request for the books.
I would check with the Media Specialist/ Librarian. Not to be rude but you're in MO, so good luck with some of the really good YA books out there now that these kiddos need/ want access to. I spent 5yrs in MO and my family is from there. I know what you're up against. Be careful what you choose.
Be mindful of the community your school is in. Our state has a list of “age appropriate books,” but there are quite a few on that list that I would not even consider teaching in my school (high school) because I know that many parents would be concerned. Talk with experienced teachers in your school. Chances are they have books that you can choose from that will work well for the students you teach.
The first thing you should do is check to see if your district has a censorship policy and what that is—not because you plan to be censored, but just so you know where the boundaries are and how to handle challenges to books when they come up.
The second thing you should do is talk to your librarian and your chair and ask for some guidelines. Then clear your reads with your administration by sending a brief description of your classroom choices and possibly a short defense on why you selected them (age appropriate, standards tie-in, alternatives for kids who opt out).
Good luck!
When I was in rural Arkansas I taught world history and religion was a part of the curriculum. Plus I love teaching the different belief systems. Well I had religious books from many different backgrounds and one of them was a Qur’an. Boy did that stir up a lot of negative sentiment towards me! I wouldn’t change having it there but you definitely need to weigh what kind of conversations you want to have.
Minnesota High School absolutely! I have books that feature other Christian denominations, and I think one that features Buddhism and I think a few that feature Islam. My current "class library" mostly consists of books I owned in high school or books I had to buy for my college literature classes, so they aren't the most religiously diverse at this point. But if I had them/if I find them, I would absolutely add them in!
It kind of depends what your school approves. Honesty, I play it safe and choose from the grade’s reading list. I once deviated from it, and got a stern talking to, and concerns were raised that parents would be upset. I’d choose a book from the 8th grade reading list, and check with the principal. You don’t want to eclipse the learning with a book that is controversial.
I understand now. I’d be curious too which types of free-reading books to include.
I include a variety. I teach 7th and 8th. For the most part, kids ask for recommendations, but many will pick themselves. They need to check it out with me, so I know what they’re reading. I ALWAYS have a short discussion with them when they check it out. There have been times when they’ve chosen a book and I know it may be too mature for that kid or it may have some things that could become a parent issue so I steer them to something more appropriate. Most are VERY receptive and if they insist on the book, I email home with a link to a book summary and the author’s website.
I mostly teach seniors, have a pretty open minded community, etc
I do think if someone tried to demand I pull books, there would be some discussion. And they would need to replace the books with other high interest books.
You can go to First Book and look the age group or grade level and look at the the selection of books for your 8th graders. I have gotten very good book from there for my 5th grader’s. Also, they have free giveaways as well.