I was first introduced to the Hunger Games series by my grade 6 homeroom, science, technology and math teacher. Every day during lunch hour he would play the audio book for the class while we ate our lunch. The class LOVED the book and was always so excited to listen to what came next.
What I think was so special about this experience is that I was not reading the book alone. I had my peers in the class to talk to about what was happening, what we think will happen next and which characters we love. I was a very shy student in middle school so having a topic that I could connect with my peers over was really big for my social skills. When talking about the book I was more excited then nervous and I began to come out of my shell and make new friends.
The nice thing about this book is that after we listened to the first one I just had to finish the series. (Something I am 100% sure was my teachers plan. He seemed to have been sneaky enough to “trick” me and others in the class into reading.)
After the class finished the first book I remember begging my mom to take me to the library so I could read the secound book. Less then a week later I was ready for the third book. This was my first time being truly excited to get the next book in the series and the start of my crazy binge reading!
A Good Book Sticks With You:
This summer I picked up the prequel of this series to read for nostalgia. The reading level was very easy and the content a little dark and gorier then I normally choose but when I read the book I remembered the connection I had to the rest of the series and I really enjoyed reading it. I think any book you can make an emotional connection with is so important and such great motivation to keep reading! This book is the reason I will work so hard to make reading an experience for my students rather then just a chore. I plan to do this by decorating my classroom to match the theme of the book. Dressing up as characters and cross connecting with drama so students can step into a role!
The Significance of Finding that One Book:
When a student finds there one book that changes everything they change their entire perspective of reading. As a teacher if we can help a student make a connection with a good book we are teaching them the required curriculum.
*** These curriculum links come from the grade 6 English language Arts BC curriculum, the idea however can be shared among all readers
Big Ideas:
- Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy. (Reading is FUN! Students should be given support and time to find books that make reading fun for them!)
Curricular Competencies:
- Recognize and appreciate how different features, forms, and genres of texts reflect various purposes, audiences, and messages (By expressing why they love a book students are appreciating the message and purpose behind the books they enjoy.)
Content:
- reading strategies (the more we love the book, the more we read, the more we learn.)
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