You Had Me At 'And'...

The other day I took my students to library. It's just a quick 15 minute time to check out books, and then we leave. Anyway, after the first 10 minutes, most all of the kids had checked out books and were sitting quietly at tables reading. Just a few students were still wandering along the bookshelves, searching...

I went over to Johnny, who was one of the wanderers. "Johnny, have you found a book yet?" I asked. Johnny was holding one book all ready.

"I'm looking for a certain book," Johnny replied. "It's by something-Jack. Or London somebody...I'm not sure..." He turned back to the nearby computer to check. "It's by London Jack," he verified.

I looked at the screen, and saw that he was looking for a book by Jack London. I pointed out that the last name is first, and then we walked to the "L" section. We located the few books by Jack London.

You need to understand that Johnny has the reading level of a third grader on a good day. All of Jack London's books are at an 8th grade level. But Johnny likes books about dogs. He pulled out a copy of White Fang. "How about this book," he asked.

"Well," I answered. "It's a very good book. It'll be challenging for you, but it's very good." He decided that he would give it a try, and took it to the check out counter. I wandered around a bit checking on the rest of the kids, then headed toward to check out counter in time to hear the librarian also tell Johnny that the book would be a challenge. "But he likes books about dogs," I said, "so that interest might do the trick!" She checked out the book to Johnny. He went to the nearest table and sat. Soon he calls out, "Mrs. Teacher, you were right!" I walked over to him. He is pointing about halfway down the first paragraph of the book.

"It is a good book! And I'm only up to 'and'!" He was so proud.