Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Hi,
My name is Kellee Moye and I am a 27 year old 7th grade language arts teacher. My life revolves around my job and my husband when I find time:) So, I am constantly reading books to recommend to them or to buy for my classroom library. I currently have about 1300 books in my classroom library.
I have always wanted to find other adults who read young adult books to discuss with, so I am happy to be here.

Thanks Fiona. I am happy to be here too!

I am very proud of my classroom library- my students are never without a book in their hands :) It is my goal to help every student find a book that they enjoy.

Kellee, you're my kind of teacher!

Welcome Kellee! We really do discuss the YA books! Have fun.

Thanks Beth! I work myself and my pocket book hard to be the best I can be :)

I love that you have so many books available for your students. Do you do reading contests? I loved my 8th grade teacher and how she charted all the books we read individually and gave us a party at the end of each semester if we reached our goal.

And welcome to the group!!!

Welcome, Kellee. Have fun.

Jennifer wrote: "I love that you have so many books available for your students. Do you do reading contests? I loved my 8th grade teacher and how she charted all the books we read individually and gave us a party a..."

Thank you :) Like I said- I work very hard to keep up with what they are reading and keep my library up to date. This is the one thing I really toot my own horn about :P

I don't really do any reading contests. We have something called Sunshine State books that the librarian does prizes and such with. We have this computer testing program where they take a 20 question test on a book and they get points for the book (the points depend on the reading level, lexile, etc.). They are required to read 2 books each nine weeks and I keep track of any other books they read as well as the points they earn- at the end of the year, they will get prizes based on the points range they are in. My kids mostly just read because they like it. I haven't even really explained the prizes yet and they are always reading. I even have 16 students on Goodreads who have a discussion group and actually talk about books...

Wow that's so cool!!!

Jennifer wrote: "Wow that's so cool!!!"

Thanks! :)

Kellee,

We need more teachers like you! My 8 year old had an awful first grade teacher. All she did was criticize and as a consequence he ended up hating reading. Despite the fact that my husband and I are voracious readers and did all the "right" things to get our son to love reading (e.g reading to him every night, building him a big personal library with books he picked out, taking him to the public library at least once a week, etc...) he hated it. He's now in 3rd grade and he can't get enough reading time, thanks to having a wonderful 2nd grade teacher and another terrific teacher this year. While we were walking to school this morning he was reading a book and he told me he couldn't wait until reading time during class so he could finish it. What a difference from first grade. Teachers make a huge difference!

Beth,

I totally agree. You can see it just at my school. There is another 7th grade teacher who does not promote independent reading and the library checkout rate for her students versus mine is pathetic.

1st grade is such an important grade, as well, so a negative teacher then is very hurtful. I am glad, though, that it was changed by a great second grade teacher- it is great to hear these stories!

Kellee

Hi Kelle. Welcome :)

Hello Kellee, and welcome to the group! I think it's great that you love to read YA fiction.