Reading Clutter? Really?

Today I saw a prime example of how principals do not support reading in their building.   One principal keeps bringing me books that teachers have left in their classrooms as they have moved on. He is putting them in boxes and then sitting the boxes in the library like he thinks ALL books belong here no matter what, so I said to him, “No these need to be in the classrooms.”  He says, “No the classrooms need to be clear of clutter”.  Yep, He called Tom Sawyer, clutter!  YES he did, (not to mention Corrie Ten Boon and even Maniac Magee. )  I just saw red!  We have book cases in every classroom and you want them clear?  I asked him do you like to read things you don’t like.  He goes well no!  I said, o.k. then how do you know what every kid likes?  YOU don’t, that is why you need a book about soccer and a love story in a classroom.  I realize we do not have space for every book in the world, and nor am I asking you to keep tomes upon tomes, but honestly every skill we learn starts with READING. Every job you do involves reading something, your pay check requires you read something.   When you work in a low socio-economic district, kids come to you without understanding a literary world.  They do not have literate homes; they have a Bible, maybe and nothing else.  So reading is not valued at home, so if they are walking into clean, stark classrooms then guess what, they aren't reading and not learning. And reading is not valued at school either?  Yet you want them to read? Every test you give them involves reading something. And you want them to increase their skills. Hmm.  I bet you don’t make a championship football team, without a ball, or field, or practice. You are not piquing their interest.   It infuriates me, you aren’t helping the children.  It reminds me of a time that, I was working as a curriculum coordinator at a church day care.  When I walked into the two year old room, all the toys were put away, and the toddlers were just milling around one another.  I asked, “Where are the toys?”  The teacher said, “Oh I took them away because, Sam is biting his friends?”  I was so angry; I promptly started dragging out the toys again and guess what Sam got busy learning, playing instead of biting.  If people do not understand the children they work with each day, they should NOT work with those children.  If people do not want to empower a child, they should not want to work with children.  If people want things neat and easy and clean, do not work with children.  Children are real, messy, incredible, possibilities that you have NO idea what they may do or become.  We learn from our mistakes, we learn from great models we need the writing of great authors. We need books!!! 

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Beyond Words...

Teaching is not an easy job...

This week was tough at times and several days I wanted to just stay home under the covers, as I am sure everyone can relate.  But I pushed through, and thought to myself, no - there must be a reason.  I am here, so give your best because these kids deserve better.

So when one kid - (a real pain at times)  fell apart crying in my classroom because he was hungry - I was there. I later told myself, it is NOT about me.  It is about them and what they need, that is why I am here. I work all day, doing this, doing that, and constantly pulled in different directions, yet I try to focus on them and what they need and try to help each one I see - and  yet constantly think - I missed this or need more here.

So I try again to give a reluctant reader yet another discarded book, I place books on the shelves and chalk tray to entice this or that subject.  I talk about them, I read them aloud, I use them constantly and watch as the student I show this book or that, puts it down it  again, can be discouraging.  I went on about the fun in poetry and rhyming a slam, or try to.  

So here is my poem of the week:

I hope they notice I was trying to make it fun,
and leave discouraged thinking I reach none..
until I am cleaning off stacks of papers, books
 to clear a spot or maybe a nook.

I find a profound note,
that one of my little ones had wrote
A soon to be,  familiar quote,
from a book that we both wish we had wrote -

"You are so busy being YOU that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented  you are," - John Green
The Fault in Our Stars

Happy Valentines Day
- Ms. K

I have to say - No Thank You beautiful, smart child, because you are the reason I came today!