• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

JOIN ME ON

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

HoJo's Teaching Adventures, LLC

Fun, Engaged, Impactful Relationships & Learning

I LOVE FREE THINGS!

  • Home
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • My Downloads
    • My Cart
    • Checkout
  • Blog
  • FREEBIES
  • About Me
    • Disclaimer & Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Advertise with HoJo
    • Be a Guest Author
perfect for learning at school or home

FREE ADDITION MAGIC SQUARE PUZZLES

Grab ALL 17 Puzzles included for FREE: 0-5, 0-10, 0-20, two digit, & three digital addition!

Click Here to snag those freebies

1 Comment

Choosing Classroom Novels for Upper Elementary & Middle School Students

When I was in the classroom, I had favorite novels that I went back to year after year because they just worked with my classes, and I think many teachers have that same experience. But I also liked to add something new from time to time. The difficulty is that there are so many great novels for middle graders. A good problem to have, but with all the choices, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start looking. That’s why today’s post focuses on choosing classroom novels.

Choosing classroom novels can be a daunting task for any classroom teacher, but not anymore! The practical ideas at this blog post will help you decide which novels best fit the students in your upper elementary or middle school classroom! Make sure to check this out if you teach 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade! {And make sure to check out the FREE download too!}

Traditional thinking was that if you are trying to get the boys in your class more interested in reading, you should choose an adventure story, heavy on plot; whereas for girls, relationship stories that focus more on characters were top choices. That may have changed, however, now that many series especially popular with girl readers feature fast action and life-threatening adventure.

For any group of students, I think the most important consideration in choosing a book is to select one with a relatable protagonist, a main character who is the same age or a little older than your students. Kids read popular fantasy series to see kids their age, or the age they can’t wait to be, take on huge tasks and come out winners. I think this idea of a relatable protagonist is also what has made many middle grade classics stand the test of time so well. Kids (and adults) just get into a story more easily when the person facing and overcoming the obstacles in the story is someone they can easily relate to.

Here are a few of the elements that seem to be common threads in middle grade novels that kids definitely relate to.

Focusing on Self

Kids who read middle grade novels are still very internally focused themselves; that’s why themes about the main character’s own life or growth are so popular. Some of the popular themes and topics for this age level include:

  • Stories in which the “little guy” wins – Good stories of this type give us plenty of reasons to root for the little guy, making him or her a very relatable character.
  • Stories that inspire students to think big or to take action
  • Stories that show us that the main character, an ordinary person, is someone important, someone who really matters
  • Stories that teach students to never give up – because their own dreams and goals matter

Beginning to Look Further OutChoosing classroom novels can be a daunting task for any classroom teacher, but not anymore! The practical ideas at this blog post will help you decide which novels best fit the students in your upper elementary or middle school classroom! Make sure to check this out if you teach 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade! {And make sure to check out the FREE download too!}

While middle grade kids are busy growing and developing their own personality, they are also beginning to look outside themselves for new ideas. This searching for new ideas shows up in:

  • Stories in which the main character uncovers the truth
  • Stories that provide a new point of view on an old topic
  • Stories that suggest “there’s more out there”
  • Stories that take the reader on a journey

Wanting to Have Fun

Kids (of all ages) want to have fun, just like teachers enjoy a good summer beach read! Stories with a fun element built in are always a good bet. Look for:

  • Stories that make the reader laugh
  • Scary stories
  • Stories with strange coincidences
  • Stories with plots that twist and turn

Ready to start looking at book lists? Here are a couple of good places to start.

  • Goodreads has pages of lists. Click on a book on the list to see information about the book including a short description. Search for lists of books for elementary or middle grades, or search for a topic or genre.
  • We Are Teachers also has some nice lists both for elementary and middle grades, with links to information about the books.

And if you would like a freebie to use with your newest read, here’s a link to my free Story Elements Poster Set. This will be a great resource as you continue choosing classroom novels in your upper elementary or middle school classroom!

Choosing classroom novels can be a daunting task for any classroom teacher, but not anymore! The practical ideas at this blog post will help you decide which novels best fit the students in your upper elementary or middle school classroom! Make sure to check this out if you teach 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade! {And make sure to check out the FREE download too!}

Classroom in the MiddleThis guest post by Sharon, from the Classroom in the Middle blog and the Classroom in the Middle Store where you will find lots of lesson ideas and engaging resources designed for teaching language arts to middle grades students including novel studies for some favorite middle grade novels.

Filed Under: 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th Grade, 6th grade, free, freebie, Middle School, reading

Previous Post: « Tips for Work Life Balance as a Teacher
Next Post: How to Handle Chatty Parents »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Best Sellers

Connect with Me

BloglovinFacebookGoogle +InstagramPinterestTwitterYouTubeMy TPT ShopImage Map

My Personal Blog

FUN. ENGAGING. IMPACTFUL.

click to explore the many amazing resources so many kids have already enjoyed!
Learn More

Footer

Thank you For Visiting!

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Freebies
  • Contact
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Latest on Instagram

hojo_teaches

hojo_teaches
Work on three digit addition with this FREE puzzle Work on three digit addition with this FREE puzzle. It even includes differentiated options. Use it for 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade kids. Great for math centers, review, test prep, learning games, homeschool or distance learning, and more. Grab your freebie today for third, fourth, or fifth graders! #math #threedigitaddition #addition #iteach #iteachtoo #tptfs #igteachers #teachersofinstagram #tpt #teachergram #teachersofthegram #iloveteaching #teaching #threedigitaddition #freemathgame #free #freebie #digitalmathgame #digitalmath #mathteacher #iloveteachingmath
Are you prepared for the next holiday? These clove Are you prepared for the next holiday? These clover math puzzles are perfect for St. Patrick's Day! Click the link in my profile to see all the options.
We as teachers need to remember that we do hold gr We as teachers need to remember that we do hold great power in this world, and we need to care for it responsibly. We mold young minds, and it is one of the best jobs in this world!⁣
⁣
What is your great responsibility? #iteach #iteachtoo #tptfs #teacherspayteachers #igteachers #teachersofinstagram #tpt #teachergram #teachersofthegram #iloveteaching #teaching #iteachtoo #greatpower #greatresponsibility #education #teachersoftpt #learn #educate #successquotes #lifequotes #iteachprek #iteachk #iteach1st #iteach2nd #iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #iteach6th
Sometimes there are moments in life that literally Sometimes there are moments in life that literally stop us in our tracks. I have no idea when my daughter's foot got to be half the size of mine. It wasn't all that long ago that she was born! ⁣
.⁣
.⁣
What's something that has stopped you lately?
Teachers are great at dealing with uncertainty. So Teachers are great at dealing with uncertainty. So don't be afraid to show the world how great you really are!
Use this puzzle to help 3rd or 4th grade students Use this puzzle to help 3rd or 4th grade students master 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication. These are great for math centers or stations, review, test prep, worksheet alternatives, and more. Click to the link in my profile grab your copy today!
Do you feel like you need to get your finances in Do you feel like you need to get your finances in order? Check out this Financial Independence Women's Bundle! It has over $3,000 worth of materials for just $97 to help you make more income, increase your money mindset, budget, and more! Act quickly! This bundle disappears on Feb. 28.
Have you hopped on over to my store lately? There' Have you hopped on over to my store lately? There's so many different games and activities to help keep your class running smoothly - virtually OR in person. I know that's extremely important right now!🙃
Follow on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up and get addition freebies delivered directly to your inbox!

  • Privacy Policy
  • Shop
  • Freebies
  • Contact

Copyright © 2021 · BRANDING + WEB DESIGN BY LAUGH EAT LEARN

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT