What’s the last book you read that really made you think? When I was in fifth grade and below, I never had the opportunity to have conversations about books. However, for sixth graders having conversations is an ELA standard, tied to CORE instruction.
This blew me away, and I realized that every kid needs to have this ability to have great conversations. Well hello, to all of my readers. My name is Will Fairman, sixth grader in eastern Iowa. For my Culture of Readers Project this year, I am discussing impactful and life-changing books.
You might be wondering what is a Culture of Readers? It is a mindset. Our sixth grade class wants to spread the love of reading not only at Hopewell, but around the world. It is the way that kids talk about books and share ideas. Teachers are using twitter to tweet #ReadIt. In a Culture of Readers, kids aren’t afraid to ask questions and show their passion for reading.
I have spent hours and hours of devotion and hard work to get to the point I am right now in my project
( still isn’t perfect ). It is worth it when you know you are making a difference. I am extremely passionate about reading and making a difference in this world. Having conversations about literature will help children in the future, and help them love reading.
Now let’s get back to my project. My problem was that kids in fifth grade were not having enough collegial conversations on the books they were reading. I knew this from past experience in fifth grade. Yet, in sixth grade I experienced what happens when students have in-depth “talk” and uncover the deeper meaning of the book.
In the beginning of my project, I was going to have a 5th and 6th grade after school group to discuss powerful books. Two kids from each class would be chosen. However, I completely missed the boat. I didn’t think this through. When I presented my idea to my teachers, they had many corrections to make. They were technically telling me to redo my whole project as I needed to be more specific. I had left out many steps. It felt like someone had punched me in my stomach. But what I didn’t understand is that they were actually trying to help me. Piece by piece, step by step , I was regaining confidence and popping in the library every once in awhile to show my library teacher my work. Frustrating? You bet. This stage in my project probably took me 2-3 months to complete.
After many tweaks, changes and comments, I was ready to move on. Wanna hear my new plan? It is that fifth graders from all the classes would have the option to sign up for my group that will meet during lunch and recess. But in order to move on, I needed to prepare a speech to present to teachers to explain my idea. I had to make lists and action steps to help my project become a reality. I’ve worked diligently to complete my plan of action to bring this idea to life. Professional, prepared and thorough!
Well, that brings you up to the present. I’m ready to get this idea rolling on February 10. You see, after all this thinking and revising and reworking, I want to teach kids how to have powerful discussions on what they have read. Conversation is a KEY life skill. Without communication the human race would not be at the point it is right now.
From this endeavor, I’ve discovered a lot about myself and well...life itself. I have discovered that in tough times, giving up is not the solution. Life is not perfect, it comes with many bumps in the road. No matter how big they are, you can always overcome them. Also, I want to mention that if you want to make something great, you need patience. LOTS of it. Everything takes time and more time, and time and time. Here I am writing to you from Hopewell Elementary giving you an insight on my sixth grade life.
Yours Truly,
Will Fairman
P.S. Don’t Worry. I will keep you posted on what I am doing.
This blew me away, and I realized that every kid needs to have this ability to have great conversations. Well hello, to all of my readers. My name is Will Fairman, sixth grader in eastern Iowa. For my Culture of Readers Project this year, I am discussing impactful and life-changing books.
You might be wondering what is a Culture of Readers? It is a mindset. Our sixth grade class wants to spread the love of reading not only at Hopewell, but around the world. It is the way that kids talk about books and share ideas. Teachers are using twitter to tweet #ReadIt. In a Culture of Readers, kids aren’t afraid to ask questions and show their passion for reading.
I have spent hours and hours of devotion and hard work to get to the point I am right now in my project
( still isn’t perfect ). It is worth it when you know you are making a difference. I am extremely passionate about reading and making a difference in this world. Having conversations about literature will help children in the future, and help them love reading.
Now let’s get back to my project. My problem was that kids in fifth grade were not having enough collegial conversations on the books they were reading. I knew this from past experience in fifth grade. Yet, in sixth grade I experienced what happens when students have in-depth “talk” and uncover the deeper meaning of the book.
In the beginning of my project, I was going to have a 5th and 6th grade after school group to discuss powerful books. Two kids from each class would be chosen. However, I completely missed the boat. I didn’t think this through. When I presented my idea to my teachers, they had many corrections to make. They were technically telling me to redo my whole project as I needed to be more specific. I had left out many steps. It felt like someone had punched me in my stomach. But what I didn’t understand is that they were actually trying to help me. Piece by piece, step by step , I was regaining confidence and popping in the library every once in awhile to show my library teacher my work. Frustrating? You bet. This stage in my project probably took me 2-3 months to complete.
After many tweaks, changes and comments, I was ready to move on. Wanna hear my new plan? It is that fifth graders from all the classes would have the option to sign up for my group that will meet during lunch and recess. But in order to move on, I needed to prepare a speech to present to teachers to explain my idea. I had to make lists and action steps to help my project become a reality. I’ve worked diligently to complete my plan of action to bring this idea to life. Professional, prepared and thorough!
Well, that brings you up to the present. I’m ready to get this idea rolling on February 10. You see, after all this thinking and revising and reworking, I want to teach kids how to have powerful discussions on what they have read. Conversation is a KEY life skill. Without communication the human race would not be at the point it is right now.
From this endeavor, I’ve discovered a lot about myself and well...life itself. I have discovered that in tough times, giving up is not the solution. Life is not perfect, it comes with many bumps in the road. No matter how big they are, you can always overcome them. Also, I want to mention that if you want to make something great, you need patience. LOTS of it. Everything takes time and more time, and time and time. Here I am writing to you from Hopewell Elementary giving you an insight on my sixth grade life.
Yours Truly,
Will Fairman
P.S. Don’t Worry. I will keep you posted on what I am doing.