Welcome to English I at University High School! Independent reading or reading workshop is a big part of the English I curriculum.  Students are expected to choose their own books and to read daily in class and at home.  To that end, our classroom contains a large library of fiction and nonfiction books.  These books range from pictures books, to young adult fiction, to the classics and to popular novels by such authors as John Grisham, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz.  I would like to you to be aware of the fact that some of these novels may contain adult language and or content.

I am careful in my selection of books and I am constantly aware of titles that may contain offensive material.  Because of this, I ask you to be active in your child’s reading.  Ask them what titles they have chosen and are currently reading.  Reading broadly builds vocabulary, and increases a student’s reading and writing fluency.  Furthermore, reading widely enables students to broaden their knowledge and experience base and it allows them to view the world from a variety of perspectives.  For this and other reasons, independent reading is very much a part of class and is built into every class period.

In our democratic society, I feel strongly that books be available to students, but never would I go against your wishes by allowing them to read something of which you did not approve.  That is why I encourage you to visit our classroom, browse our classroom library, and read the books your children are reading.  Some of our titles deal with issues that we see discussed on television, in the media, in movies, or even at home.  Such issues include teenage pregnancy, AIDS, teenage drinking or drug use, abuse and a host of other topics.  The books on our shelves deal with these subjects in a realistic and sensitive manner, staying away from blatant and gratuitous shock value.  I can promise that no book will be knowingly allowed into our room if it is offensive just for the sake of being offensive.

If you have any questions or concerns about what or how your child is reading during independent reading, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I am looking forward to a fantastic year with your students and I know that with your support we can enable all students to enjoy reading and become lifelong learners and readers.

© Lee Ann Spillane
Last Updated:  10/21/03