Welcome to the third blog in our Back to School with Bookshare series that helps teachers get a strong start to the school year. In this blog, we take you on a tour of Bookshare’s bountiful Special Collections, recognize an award-winning author, and share a few literary gems that students are reading.
Special Collections are a Huge Hit
Are you looking for books for your students? Bookshare librarians have created over 110 (and growing) lists of specially curated books that will engage your students and keep them reading. Teachers love this feature and have already assigned lists to over 5,000 students!
Access Special Collections by selecting Browse on any Bookshare webpage. Then select a list and select the subscribe icon next to the list name. The list will appear in My Reading Lists and will be updated automatically as new books are added. You can then assign lists to students so they can read on their own. For detailed instructions, view our how-to guide.
Here are some of the most popular collections:
- Back to School Read Alouds – classics and favorites (grades K-3)
- Teacher Recommended Reading – 49 titles (grades 3-5)
- Fiction for Young Reluctant Readers – high interest, low vocabulary books (grades 3-8)
- ‘I Survived’ – historical events brought to life through fictional first-person accounts (grades 3-6)
- 39 Clues Books 1-11 by Rick Riordan – Amy and Dan find clues to unlock the Cahill Family secrets (grades 4-8)
- Battle of the Books – reading incentive program used by many school districts (grades 4-12)
- American Library Association Award Winners – Young Adult
Special Collections for teachers who work with K-12 students who have IEPs:
- Journeys Common Core K-6 : Journeys English Language Arts program provided by the National
Instructional Materials Accessibility Center (NIMAC). These textbooks are available to U.S. students with an IEP (Individualized Education Program) per the IDEA 2004 legislation. - Common Core Algebra (NIMAC): for students with IEPs in grades 7-12
Featured Author: Katherine Paterson
“Reading can be a road to freedom or a key to a secret garden, which, if tended, will transform all of life.” So says Katherine Paterson, author of over 35 books, two-time Newbery Medal winner for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Bookshare has all of her books in a Special Collection for students to explore and enjoy.
Librarian’s Picks for Your Digital Bookshelf
Here are some noteworthy books that may pique students’ interest:
- Promoting diversity and empathy: Refugee by Alan Gratz (grades 4-8)
- On BuzzFeed’s “Best YA Books of 2016” list: The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
- Emmy award winner: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Note: In case you missed them, Back to School with Bookshare Part 1 featured tips from Special Education Resource Teacher Diane Lurye, and Part 2 featured advice from Deirdre Watkins, teacher of the visually impaired.
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