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THREAD: I want to shine a spotlight on all the teachers and librarians who have found ways to read books aloud to their students during this time of distance learning. You might not be featured on TV or in news articles, but what you do deserves every bit as much celebration.
I don’t mean to dismiss all the celebrities and authors and artists who are sharing books right now—I’m in favor of spreading joy and excitement about books in every way possible. But those readings are not a replacement for what teachers and librarians have been doing all year.
Teachers and librarians, you have a special connection with your students that no one else can replicate. As we’ve had our world turned topsy turvy, you are a familiar face, a familiar voice. And continuing to read books to your students means so much right now.
I have two kids of my own, ages 6 and 9. They started distance learning 4 weeks ago, and after they’re done with their school work, I haven’t had all that much luck getting them to engage with a lot of the extra resources and readings being shared. I think they're just maxed out.
But you know what? Their favorite assignment each week has been listening to their media specialist read to them.
When she tells the kids to give themselves a virtual hug from her and when she reminds the kids how much she and all the teacher love them, that’s more powerful for them than anything a famous person can do or say.
When our school had to transition to distance learning, our media specialist was in the middle of a different read-aloud for each grade. And you know what? She picked up right where she left off so that the kids could find out how each of those books ends.
Perhaps that was an obvious choice, but I find it also quite beautiful. To provide a little bit of continuity in the midst of all this change. I can see the way my kids calm down and settle in when she starts to read each week.
When the kids are listening to their media specialist read, the whole household feels quieter and calmer. (Because of course the adults can’t help listening in too….)
And my 1st grader has a weekly Google Meet in which his teacher reads a picture book or a part of a chapter book. The kids are wiggly and so excited to see one another that it’s hard to know how much they’re taking in, but I also know my son wouldn’t dream of missing it.
So to all the educators out there, THANK YOU for all of your hard work—today and every day of the school year. Please keep finding ways to read and share books with your kids and know that no one else can replicate the connections YOU have with your kids.
And finally, I realize that you’re scrambling and have to work with what’s available to you, but PLEASE do what you can to share #ownvoices books. Because all of your kids need to see diverse and authentic representation in books now just as much as ever. THANK YOU!
