Classroom Transformation Promotes Reading

Special education teacher Kingsley Frazier has been making changes to her classroom this year, including developing a classroom library comprised of over a thousand titles.

Over the summer, books were provided from organizations such as the Friends of the Moraga Library and Next Door. Frazier said, “It’s been really great to be able to have immediate access to books in the classroom because while we have a great library steps away it’s easier for me to have the books in my classroom because then I can give students a stack of books to look through and we don’t lose any time transitioning to the library.”

Another benefit of the classroom library, said instructional assistant Ranie Pearce, is that “the shelves of books add warmth to the room.”

Frazier agreed that the atmosphere inside her classroom is now much more conducive for student reading.

Special education teacher Jenna Boyd noted that the new look of Frazier’s room is a “very calming environment as well, so when students are stressed out, it’s a great place for them to decompress.”

Frazier has also provided items like comfortable chairs and individual lighting to further promote reading in her classroom. According to Pearce, the additions have made “B-7 is a great place to read a good book!”

“The moment I stepped into Ms. Frazier’s classroom, it felt like I was at home. There is a feeling of warmth, comfort and security in her class. Ms. Frazier has gone to great lengths to provide her students with an environment that is not only peaceful, but is conducive to learning… Ms. Frazier has given great thought to every wall and corner in her classroom,” said Principal’s secretary Carolyn Daughten.

Frazier also offers an Academy period devoted to reading for students who are not in special education but want to enjoy the reading environment she has created.

Frazier believes that reading for pleasure is often overlooked by students who are overwhelmed by school work and extracurricular activities.

The most important thing teachers can do for student readers is “build opportunities for students to explore their lives as readers and just fostering a love of literature and personal choice,” said Frazier.