Literature Appreciation
Literature Appreciation
Program Goals
Students read a variety of genres and formats widely and deeply for personal growth, enjoyment and independent learning.
Why Reading Diverse Genres Matters
Exploring a wide variety of book genres helps students grow academically, socially, and emotionally:
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Expands Vocabulary: Exposure to different genres introduces complex words and specialized terms in natural contexts.
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Fosters Social-Emotional Growth: Reading diverse characters and perspectives builds empathy, self-awareness, and emotional maturity.
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Drives Self-Directed Learning: Having the freedom to choose high-interest books increases motivation and active engagement in reading.
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Broadens Worldview: Diverse literature introduces varied cultures, historical periods, and global experiences.
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Strengthens Analytical Thinking: Encountering different plot structures and writing styles sharpens critical thinking and prediction skills.
How Students Read
Students engage in diverse reading experiences to construct knowledge, explore personal interests, and build lifelong literacy skills:
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Independent Choice: Students select high-interest books and media tailored to their personal goals and reading preferences.
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Digital Literacy: Students apply critical reading and comprehension strategies across websites, online articles, and multimedia platforms.
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Reading for Pleasure: Students build stamina and reading fluency by regularly exploring books purely for enjoyment.
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Purpose-Driven Reading: Students evaluate text options—print or digital—to select the best format for their research and learning objectives.
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The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children.
ALA's Social Responsibility Round Table presents this award annually to authors or illustrators of African descent.
The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
The Nutmeg Book Award encourages children in grades 2-12 to read quality literature and to choose their favorite from a list of nominated titles. Jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL), the Nutmeg Committee is comprised of children's librarians and school library media specialists who are members of our sponsoring organizations.
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