Thread by @insomnochick

Making a list of "Books kids should read before High School" for two bright kids (4th and 5th grades, reading at-level/slightly above) whose mom has asked me to do lit lessons with them b/c the school is only doing "reflections" and not "interpretation" or discussion.1/

Their vocabularies are weak b/c they read from the same genre all the time, and their critical thinking skills are almost dormant because they're merely asked to write ABOUT what they read, for a check-mark. 2/

The evidence showed up on recent SSAT scores. Perfect math scores, decent verbal scores compared with most kids, but not as good as they ought to be given their potential/cog. abilities. LOW synonym scores, and low higher order/interpretive scores. 3/

The saddest part is the students are aware they're not being taught properly. They complain to ME the teacher just tells them to read, then tells them to talk to "peers" about what they read, or write and do "peer reviews" of their writing, and does NOT ask them questions. 4/

This is what I RAIL against when you see me complaining about "inquiry-based" or "student-led" learning. Today, too many schools and teachers mean it LITERALLY, and I'm sorry, but 4th grade is too young to lead yourself in the study of LITERATURE. 5/

SO, given all this, I'm calling on all you English teachers (good ones) who live for this type of direct instruction/guidance for lit. to help me build a list, per Mom's request. I have ideas, but want to crowd-source b/c my ideas may be a little TOO heavy on classics. /6

Thoughts on this 👆
@MrDanielBuck @rpondiscio @jen_jen_1117 @Beanie0597

My list so far, thank you all!
amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls…