{photo by Jenny Bischoff}
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Are you wondering about the “Must Reads” list that was handed out in your packet and is sometimes mentioned in the teacher narratives? We all want our kids to read quality literature, and this program offers not only some wonderful choices, but an opportunity to read with other friends and classmates – because the only thing better than reading a great book is reading it with friends! Today we offer a little more insight into the why and how of this option for encouraging more independent and family reading:
At SLOCA we believe a vital component to fulfilling our mission of forging character, fostering wisdom, and nurturing a lifelong passion for learning is to cultivate a love of reading at every level. Soul nurturing, great books also fill children’s minds with the illuminating ideals and ideas that have been penned by the brightest minds of the past and present. Reading is transformative; children and adults alike step into the time, place, and minds of characters who may be completely different than they. We are exposed to the art of relationships and develop empathy and a deep affinity for humanity. We also learn to eschew the evil and horrid acts of history. Reading opens up new worlds. And, of course, reading is just plain, good fun!
While our families read aloud to their children from the rich literature and history books assigned through the curriculum, we also encourage you to continue reading childhood classics that aren’t necessarily in conjunction with our history study. We have compiled a list of books we believe every child should have read by the time they are finished with school. They are classics, both old and modern, that are an essential part of a well-rounded, classical education. These books are not required reading, but we trust that each family will dip in to this list repeatedly throughout the year simply for the magical experiences of reading these books together. Each trimester, two books will be selected from this list for each level, and we’ll invite you to come along with us and find yourself in lands and times far away only to return to our own time better primed for the challenges and the journey of this modern life.
These books have been carefully chosen to align with the reading ability and maturity level of each grade level, but parents must make the final decision about whether a particular title is appropriate. Because great literature connects us to the human experience, these books – while fun and age-appropriate – touch on some difficult subjects. Especially in the upper levels, students will be exposed to deep and intellectually challenging content, including racism, crime, war, developmental disabilities, censorship, poverty, and death. It is not our goal to burden kids with material beyond their comprehension, but rather to give them tools to understand the world in which we live, and to empathize with their fellow humans. As parents and educators, it is our duty and privilege to guide our students in these literary pursuits.
We have an obligation to guide our students toward quality literature, much in the same way that we guide them toward healthy food. This does not mean that our kids will never have the chance to pick out a book (or a snack) for themselves. It just means that we take active roles in this important aspect of their development. For some families, this may look like reading a classic from the Must Reads list aloud, while allowing kids some lighter independent reading in their free time. Families with multiple children at different grade levels may choose one family book per trimester from the Must Reads list to read together. The list has been meticulously curated to provide options. While some students may eagerly consume both books in a trimester, others may only have the capacity for one. In addition, please be encouraged to go beyond the list, and explore other works by these authors. Almost every single one of the authors represented on the list has written multiple books worth reading. The list is only the beginning. Have fun!
Our school store has printed copies of the Must Reads list, and you can find it here online on our password-protected parent page.
Special thanks to Lisa Ann Dillon and Emily Ferrarini for this explanation!
Please keep in mind that this list was created with the best intentions and we will continue to refine it in coming years. As with all new endeavors, we invite your thoughts and input – thank you to those of you who have already given us some great feedback on the books! We will also be sending out a survey at the end of the year. Please email [email protected] with any questions, concerns, or feedback about our Must Reads books, and feel free to leave a comment below as well!
