This is a letter I wrote to my fellow teachers last year but then didn’t send it out for fear of offending.  I look back now and wish I had had the nerve to hit that send button.  Today there is no school-wide read.  It’s a huge loss, and one that some don’t even realize yet.

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One of the quirks about working in a library with lots of visitors is hearing about the progress in different classes.

So far, I’ve heard from many students and teachers that they and you love the Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie book and how many of you are taking the time to stop and smell the roses along the way, so to speak.  I’ve even had kids tell me about your reading styles, your emotions during the book and how some of you get so mad or sad you even come close to tears.  They are in love with you and they love the effort you’re putting into making the book “come to life,” as some have even said. Students coming from these classes come in and have discussions with me and other students about what’s going on in the chapters and how things are “messed up,” for Steven or how it’s scary that Jeffrey is suffering.  I’ve even had kids tell me they really like hearing some of music mentioned in the story.  They are discovering the book, enjoying the book, and learning from you and about you!

 

Unfortunately, I feel that maybe others may think that the whole purpose of the school-wide read is to get through the book as fast as possible.  There are classes that are far, far ahead and students from these groups mainly talk about how they can’t wait to finish the book.  Little else is said.  There’s little empathy for the characters and not much insight into the details of the story. Developing empathy and insight is a process that requires time.  Something that’s not being considered by some.  This is the same mind-set some kids get who want the grade and just don’t care how they go about getting it.  Please don’t make the mistake of missing the real point and purpose of our school-wide read.

 

A school-wide read is not really about points, that’s just a way to track progress.  It’s not really about a grade either. That’s just the formality that comes with our educational system.  It’s really about bonding with each other, having a connection between gender, races, religions and even age groups.  It’s about having a mutual topic of conversation, a way to ensure that everyone is part of the school, the team, the FAMILY.  It’s a chance for you to share your life experiences and allow your students to discover the “person” inside the teacher.  It’s a chance for your students, with your guidance, to develop a love for reading. That’s a gift you can give them that will far outlast anything else we could possibly teach them this year.

 

By rushing this process, your students miss out on the time needed to digest the chapters, to form opinions about the events and the actions of the characters and you miss those golden teachable moments that you could be having as you build that invaluable teacher/student relationship.  I’m not saying your not having any success, but think of how much MORE you could be having with a little more focus and time spent delving into deeper meaning, instead of just reading straight through the book.

 

There are no prizes for those who finish first when it comes to a school-wide read, but there are certainly a few disadvantages in the long run. Don’t lose sight of the purpose in all of this.  If we really value and want single-school culture, we have to make it happen by giving consideration to the structure provided and the time line we’re being asked to follow.

 

It’s not my intention to offend you, my friends and colleagues.  You are amazing, hard-working and certainly the most unique, loving family any of us could ever ask for. You work miracles in your room on a daily basis and make our kids feel valued.  Sometimes I think we’re the ones who are most able to put these kids on the right path if they’ve strayed and we’re the ones who give them hope that they CAN be successful. I respect what you do and I’m here to be a part of the process with our reading and to support you in whatever way I can to help you be the best reading teacher you can be.

 

I’m asking you to consider my words with an open mind, without taking offense or feeling like I’m pointing a finger at you.  I’m not trying to do that to you, not even one little bit.  But I do feel the need to explain why we need to work as one unit on this. I want everyone to understand the “method behind the madness” here so we don’t lose track of what’s really important and why we are doing this in the first place.

 

Consider this:  If you can apply enough heat, pressure, and just the right amount of time to a piece of coal, you will get a diamond. Don’t we want all of our students to be diamonds?