For your convenience, I've prepared study guides and lesson supplements for most of my books that you can use in your classroom that can help you after the students have read the novels in class. Included you'll find lots of writing activities, discussion starters, study questions, reading assessments, and research ideas. Feel free to adapt them to your classroom situation and use them as you see fit. If you create something that really works well, let me know, and I'll post it so you can share the idea with other teachers.
If you need more specific information about any of the books, you should be able to find it on the books page.
Thanks,
Sharon Draper
Here also are reviews that have appeared about each book. They should help you make informed decisions about the content, themes, and readability of the novels.
You can also read one teacher's journey with the books, as well as an analysis of some of the novels done as a graduate project if you've got a little time, but these are longer. You can always access these later.
CONTACTING SHARON DRAPER
SNAIL MAIL: After the students have read and discussed the books in class, they often decide to write me. I'm always glad to receive student letters, but please help me out because the volume is almost getting overwhelming. The best way for students to express themselves is in a hand-written or typed personal letter sent by snail mail. It's also a good language arts lesson on communication and letter writing skills. HOWEVER, please don't have students send individual letters. It is physically impossible to respond. Do this instead: Put as many letters as you like into one big envelope and send them to me with a cover letter from you to let me know something about the students. I promise to respond to the class in a letter that you can duplicate or post.
A teacher is the first role model that a child encounters, the first adult whose attitude towards learning and life can shape that child's future. Our children deserve the best, the brightest, the most capable teachers available. They deserve teachers who strive to reach their own highest potential as they lead their students to achieve as well.
Let us not be deceived. Those highly accomplished teachers are out there--rarely praised, or celebrated, or thanked. They know their subject matter how to teach it effectively. They are learners as well as trailblazers. These teachers deserve the praise and recognition they have earned. Teachers are so rarely honored for a job that touches the lives of our most priceless possession--our children. So much attention is given to the negative aspects of education--the violence, the failures, the weaknesses--that we fail to notice the positives--the success stories, the achievements, the joys.
I've been a teacher for over twenty-five years, and one of my greatest joys is when former students return and tell me that because of my influence, they became a teacher. My students often ask me, "Why are you a teacher?" implying that teaching is a terrible career choice. I tell them in response, "I teach because I need you as much as you need me. I teach because once upon a time a teacher made a difference in my life, so I am here to make a difference for you."
Through the nurturing of future and current teachers, the American public has the power to create quality schools in which failure can be eliminated and dreamers can be nurtured, to encourage the best and brightest of our students to enter the field of education, and to create a really good teachers who weave positive memories in the minds of our children. We have the power to be keepers of the dream.
A child, unlike any other, yet identical to all those who have preceded and all who will follow, sits in a classroom today--hopeful, enthusiastic, curious. In that child sleeps the vision and the wisdom of all of us. The touch of a teacher will make the difference.
Using The Books In Your Classroom
Teachers all over the country are using Tears of a Tiger, Forged by Fire, Romiette and Julio, and Jazzimagination, as well as the Ziggy books in their classrooms. Study guides are available for most of these, but if you have suggestions for classroom use of any of these books that you would like to share with other teachers, please post it here.
If you would like to check the availability of a date for Sharon Draper to come to your school or conference or special event, please contact Sharon.
