In researching the pros and cons of leveling books, as well as the other topics such as using AR, grouping by series, using the Dewey decimal system, my thoughts turn to the dichotomy of a school library. Our mission, as discussed earlier, is to educate, teaching critical thinking skills and ethical use of information. Yet, unlike almost all other teachers, we also have to market a product. Sometimes education and sales are at odds with one another. The short article I read by Timothy Shanahan (2012), challenges some of the myths around the importance of connecting readers to texts within their level. My thinking, however, from the "sales" side, is damn the level, connect them with something, ANYTHING, they want to read. Our textbook supports that when it says "we are responsible for students having ready access to good books." (p. 185). How do we make the two roles work together? And, on which side do we err?
Shanahan, T. (2012). Common Core Challenges the Myths About Matching Students with Books. Illinois Reading Council Journal, 40(4), 5-6.
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