LM_NET: Library Media Networking
When I was growing up, teachers and librarians seemed to always be
telling me to wait until I grew up more to read certain books. I
remember reading the entire Dick and Jane book the first day of class and
then fighting boredom the rest of the year. I remember reading EVERY
SINGLE BOOK in the junior high library and the children's section of the
public library, and being told I couldn't read the adult books . . .
sitting two shelves away and calling my name. So, I became a children's
library (school library media specialist), and I feed these kids
everything they want. Some kids just read too much to wait.
Susan O'Neil sjoneil@sinnfree.sinnfree.org
On Tue, 14 Feb 1995, Vicki M Sherouse wrote:
> I imagine that this will open a can of worms, but I think it needs
> discussing. More and more I see middle school books being actively
> marketed by bookclubs, librarians and teachers to elementary grade
> children. Two recent examples would be Hatchet and The Giver. Both are
> being assigned to fourth and fifth grade classes routinely. Sure they can
> be read by those children--but to what end. If books like these are
> taught in elementary classes it leaves a big hole for middle school
> teachers. They either have to pick less interesting material in hopes
> the kids won't have already studied it, or else reach up for high school
> material. We all lament that children today are being pushed too fast
> into adult roles etc., but are we contributing to this? I know we can't
> solve this problem--it is like the teacher who uses video for filler--it
> will always be with us. But I do think we owe the kids in middle school
> a few thoughts before we "give away" their best titles to the
> elementaries. I am a K-12 librarian myself, so am viewing this from a
> wide perspective. Vicki Sherouse Dallas sherouse@tenet.edu
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