In this episode, we (Mark Raffler and Sarah Shoemaker) connect with Northview Public Schools teacher librarians, Kurt Stroh & Carrie Davies. Their daily work centers on serving the elementary and middle school communities in their Kent County district. Their efforts have long centered around championing literacy and reading through their avid reading of children’s and middle-grade books, facilitating author visits and staff book clubs, and curating amazing library collections as they book whisper to hundreds of young readers daily.
Here is a quick brief of our conversation:
Sarah starts the dialogue with Kurt and Carrie by prompting: “Talk with us about providing a wide range of books and other texts for scholars in the classroom. What are the need-to-know pieces that all educators should have understanding of?" Kurt addresses book access for all readers - current, relevant, quality texts for all kids - including a wide variety of formats and choice in reading. Carrie dives into exposing readers to a wide variety of genres. The podcast conversation continues in a back-and-forth manner with both Kurt and Carrie emphasizing that readers need to see themselves reflected in books.
Mark adds to the dialogue: What thoughts could you share to help listeners as they think about including diverse books in classroom libraries and instruction? Carrie starts the narrative by describing a recent staff book study about diverse books and how books offer the opportunity for students to experience mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Kurt talks about the should be doing/shouldn’t be doing actions as we think about classroom libraries.
Kurt and Carrie explain the importance of daily reading opportunities including insight about reading volume. Kurt emphasizes that school may be the only time when students have time to read - Every child should have time to read and time to be read to daily during each school day. Carrie addresses how we get there by talking about building reading stamina. “Some of the best excitement comes when we give kids authentic opportunities to share what they are reading,” says Kurt Stroh. “Ultimately, what we want to do,” says Carrie Davies, “is grow life-long readers.”
“What are ways that have been successful in getting texts into the hands of readers?” Mark inquires. We want to get as many high-quality, current, relevant books in front of kids. “They will read what we bless,” says Carrie Davies. Reading is social. We want to talk about what we are reading. It just becomes natural to book talk, share book trailers, and share what we are reading with kids. Personalizing book shopping experiences in the library, gifting books, and celebrating book birthdays are ways to hook readers. Also, getting books in the hands of teachers therefore gets more books in the hands of students. Building a reading community is filled with many intentional actions.
We talk resources! So many resources. Check the resources link for all the details! Carrie and Kurt share ideas around funding classroom and school libraries and encourage us to start small to avoid feeling overwhelmed before we conclude our time together.
We wrap up this episode by asking listeners to share your thoughts on podcast topics - your voice matters! Please visit bit.ly/LLCNtopics to tell us what you want to future podcasts to focus on in relation to literacy.
All resources in this LLCN Brief (and future podcasts) can be found at: bit.ly/LLCNresources2223 Subscribe to the Literacy Leadership and Coaches Network podcasts here: anchor.fm/llcnbrief or your favorite podcast platform
Please note the audio used as an introduction and in transitions in this podcast is under the Creative Common License and attribution is given as follows:
Medicine by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6256-medicine
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/