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How-To: Curating Reading Lists for your Classroom

source: the British Library

Peer Recommended "Top 10"

Students often know best what students want to read, even if we sometimes think we know better. Collecting data on personal interest not only helps you understand what kind of titles are motivating your students, but also highlights their input as a valuable piece of the puzzle. Posting these lists in an accessible and visible part of the room signals "student voice" as a crucial addition to the culture you are trying to establish.

The following Google form is a great way to start building data on your students’ reading habits and gather recommendations that can be rotated throughout the year!

Form: Class Reading Interests

On Site Collaborations

Working with library staff can be an invaluable window into what students at your site are already reading, as well as larger conversations in education around reaching young readers from diverse backgrounds. The library staff at my site were an amazing resource as I developed my research—offering general observations about the state of reading, providing insights on how to tap into student interest, and investing personal time and energy into developing recommended reading lists. They have my enduring gratitude.

The timeliness of the attached slides will quickly wane, but the template is still useful for highlighting books around genre, prior student interest, and up to date titles.