[CASL-L] Leveling books in a middle school library

[Egan, Danelle]

Agreed with previous answers, and here is what really should guide the
decision:
https://www.slj.com/2017/10/literacy/fountas-pinnell-say-librarians-guide-readers-interest-not-level/


On Mon, Apr 30, 2018 at 10:44 AM, Norton, Keely <KNorton at stamfordct.gov>
wrote:

> Lauren, I couldn't have said it better myself! Agree 100%
>
> *Keely Norton *
> *Library Media Specialist*
> *Scofield Magnet Middle School*
> *203-977-2754*
> "Work hard. Be kind."
> ------------------------------
> *From:* CASL-L [casl-l-bounces at mylist.net] on behalf of Lauren Hunt [
> huntla at danbury.k12.ct.us]
> *Sent:* Monday, April 30, 2018 10:32 AM
> *To:* Michele Lane
> *Cc:* CASL_L
> *Subject:* Re: [CASL-L] Leveling books in a middle school library
>
> Hi Michele,
>
> I personally would be against this for a few different reasons. The media
> center should be a place where students have free choice. If you are
> labeling the books, it creates an atmosphere where a student may feel
> obligated to take certain levels of books. Or, if a student is reading at a
> lower level than their peers, checking out a lower leveled book that is
> labeled may create social anxiety. Also, students should be applying their
> just-right book skills. If the books are labeled for them, some students
> who are always given leveled books may not have the opportunity to practice
> this skill on books that have not been leveled. I would consider this to be
> a real-world skill, as books at the public library are not leveled.
>
> I understand why reading teachers/specialists would want a library
> collection to be leveled. However, the library is a place for students to
> have freedom. I personally wouldn't want to do anything to hinder that.
>
> Just my thoughts!
> Lauren
>
> On Mon, Apr 30, 2018 at 10:22 AM, Michele Lane <mlane at colchesterct.org>
> wrote:
>
>> Good morning,
>>
>> I was asked to discuss the possibility of leveling all of the books in
>> the LMC. Using Fontas and Pinell. I am wondering if any other middle school
>> has done this and the benefits of doing so. I have reservations about this
>> as I do not want to limit access (or have a student perceived limited
>> access) based on a level assigned to a book.
>>
>> Any thoughts you have would be appreciated.
>>
>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> *Lauren Hunt*
> *Library Media Specialist*
> *Danbury Public Schools*
> Ellsworth Avenue Media Center <http://ellsworthmedia.weebly.com/>
>
> “The book to read is not the one that thinks for you but the one which
> makes you think.” - Harper Lee
>
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>
>


-- 
Danelle Egan
Library Media Specialist
Bethel Middle School

"I have always imagined that paradise would be a kind of library."
Jorge Luis Borges, Poet/Author
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