A Reflective Learning Journal

It is our second year of participating in the Forest of Reading campaign put on by the Ontario Library Association.  This year our students will be reading from the “Red Maple” fiction selections and the “White Pine” non-fiction selections. Click here to find out more about this excellent program: Forest of Reading.

I love this reading event!  Not only do students have the opportunity to read newly published Canadian material, they also get to discuss their favourite books and authors as well as voting for their absolute favourite.  I read the books as well.  Who said that young adult fiction was only for young adults?  While I may not be a young adult (my students remind me of this every day!) I am able to enter into their conversations and glimpse their reading soul.

I define a reading soul as the part of you that connects the characters in the book and become emotionally engaged.  Sometimes the soul feels raw and exposed or brave and excited while reading.  When a young adult experiences a book on this level something magical happens and the conversation that can fall out is extraordinary.

There are some conversations that are awkward at best when you try to approach them “cold” with a teen.  When a piece of fiction or non-fiction deals with these issues a level of commonality emerges and dialogue flows without the Embarrassment Ninjas.

If you are wondering about Embarrassment Ninjas… watch this clever episode of Kim Possible.

At GDCI 7-8 this year, we have started a Parent-Student Book Club.  I found this clever idea on Twitter – I follow a wonderful teacher, Josh Stumpenhorst @stumpteacher, who is trying this with his class in Illinois.  Already a number of parents have indicated that they would like to participate.  To look at the information that was sent home: Parent_Student_Book_Club.

We are just beginning this journey and I am excited.  Excited to have parents on board, excited to hear of the reading souls that are uncovered at home, and excited to slay the embarrassment ninjas around difficult conversations!