For the Love of Books

The media center at Chatham Charter is a hub of activity for K-8 students. A number of students come in each morning as soon as they arrive on campus to check out a new book. Even high school students enjoy reminiscing about their favorite books and series when they stop by.

Sharon Kight has guided media center activities since 2006. She enjoys choosing new content based on subjects students enjoy, what is relevant in the world, topics that will teach students new skills, and recently published books in popular series. Her favorite moments are when students who have never enjoyed reading suddenly connect and fall in love with a book series that opens up a whole new world through reading.

Mrs. Kight commented, “Even though you may never travel to locations you read about, invent something famous or solve a mystery, you can feel as though you have by experiencing it through a book.”

During weekly class visits, students check out individual books that are of personal interest or that they need for a class project. Mrs. Kight also reads a weekly book to each early elementary grade (K-3). It is not unusual for students to check out one of the books to read again afterwards. Mrs. Kight features books on different topics over the course of the school year. In February there are books about Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, and Presidents Day in the mix. Seasonal focuses, current events, and special commemorative days are among the categories Mrs. Knight highlights.

“I try to choose feature books that are meaningful, whether they are a seasonal, educational, historical, or reinforce good character traits,” explained Mrs. Kight.

The special moments students experience through the media center support classroom instruction and make lasting memories.