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Teaching The Maze Runner in Grade 7/8: Themes, Triggers & Movie Comparison Ideas

Teaching The Lightning Thief in Grade 7: Themes, Triggers & What Teachers Should Know

Teaching The Giver in Grade 7/8: Themes, Triggers & What Teachers Should Prepare For

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Ok now that I’ve taped a bedsheet to the wall, we

Ok now that I’ve taped a bedsheet to the wall, we can actually see the projector 😅😂

Almost ready to start day 1 at #KanetskareMiddleSc

Almost ready to start day 1 at #KanetskareMiddleSchool !

Goodbye closet I will miss you - except this time

Goodbye closet I will miss you - except this time I get windows!!! Off on a new adventure next year and can’t wait to leave my mark! #teaching #middleschoolteacher #newadventuresahead❤️ #thatbulletinboardwasPURPLE?! #classroomreveal

I’ve taught The Giver before. I’ve loved The Giver

I’ve taught The Giver before.
I’ve loved The Giver before.

But rereading it as a Grade 7 teacher preparing to read it aloud? That hit differently.

There are scenes we don’t always talk about when recommending this book:

The “release” scene.

The emotional trauma.

The awakening / “stirrings” chapter.

The vivid dream about his crush.

None of it is graphic.
But some of it absolutely requires teacher prep — especially in more conservative school communities.

When I taught it, I chose to rephrase and move more quickly through certain sections because I knew my students and my environment.

There isn’t one right answer.

But if you’re planning to teach The Giver in Grade 7 or 8, you deserve to walk in prepared.

I wrote a full breakdown of:
✔️ Major themes
✔️ Potential parent triggers
✔️ Scenes teachers often struggle with
✔️ How I handled it in my own classroom

Link in bio 💛

Let’s make sure we’re walking into these powerful books thoughtfully.

#Grade7Teacher
#Grade8Teacher
#MiddleSchoolELA
#TeachingTheGiver
#TheGiver
#DystopianLiterature
#MiddleSchoolReadAloud
#ClassroomBooks
#ELATeachers
#OntarioTeachers
#TeacherBlogger
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#LiteratureInTheClassroom
#TeacherSupport

📚 This Book Stopped My Class in Its Tracks Linked

📚 This Book Stopped My Class in Its Tracks
Linked by Gordon Korman wasn’t just popular—it completely took over our classroom conversations.

From the mystery that pulled them in to the real-world themes of antisemitism, allyship, and history, this book had my students thinking, talking, and reflecting deeply.
They couldn’t stop recommending it to each other—and we even had a waiting list to borrow it next. 👏

I just posted a full review on the blog with ideas for using Linked in your classroom and why it's a must-have for your middle grade library.
🔗 Head to [link in bio or themusicallibrarian.com/linked-gordon-korman-book-review] to read more.

#LinkedBook #GordonKorman #MiddleGradeBooks #ClassroomReads #MustReadBooks #AntiHateEducation #HolocaustEducation #MiddleSchoolELA #BookReview #InclusiveClassroom #SocialJusticeBooks #ReadWoke #TeachingWithBooks #LiteratureCircles #TheMusicalLibrarian #BooksThatMatter #ReadersOfInstagram #BookstagramEdu #LibraryLife #StudentVoice #CurriculumConnections

What happens when one book takes over your entire

What happens when one book takes over your entire classroom?
That was MiNRS by Kevin Sylvester.

It started as a literature circle pick—but the buzz spread fast. By the end of the week, students were recommending it to friends, racing through chapters, and fighting over who got to borrow the sequel next. (Yes, really. Library drama level 100. 😂📚)

In my latest blog post, I’m sharing how I used MiNRS in literature circles, why it works so well for Grades 6–8, and how it became the most talked-about book in my classroom.

🔗 Read it now: [link in bio or themusicallibrarian.com/minrs-for-literature-circles]

#MiNRS #KevinSylvester #MiddleGradeBooks #MiddleSchoolReads #BookBuzz #ClassroomLibrary #LiteratureCircles #BookClubPicks #ReluctantReaders #MiddleGradeSciFi #UpperElementaryReads #TheMusicalLibrarian #TeacherLibrarian #MiddleSchoolELA #KidsWhoRead #TeacherGram #ClassroomFavorites #BookRecommendations #ReadersChoice #StudentVoice #SciFiForKids #IndependentReading

Another year another robotics team but the same lo

Another year another robotics team but the same love for robots and competition! #hwdsb #hwdsbrobotics #firstrobotics #firstroboticscompetition #firstroboticscanada

✨ A Must-Have for Inclusive Classrooms Some pictur

✨ A Must-Have for Inclusive Classrooms
Some picture books stop you in your tracks—and Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is one of them. 💛

Joanna Ho’s lyrical story, paired with Dung Ho’s stunning illustrations, celebrates Asian identity, intergenerational love, and the beauty of being different. It’s a gentle, powerful read that speaks volumes in classrooms focused on belonging and self-worth.

📖 On the blog, I break down why this book is a go-to read-aloud for Grades K–4, how it connects to the Ontario Language Curriculum, and tips for meaningful discussion.
🌸 Grab free response pages and more:
🔗 themusicallibrarian.com/eyes-that-kiss-in-the-corners-review

#EyesThatKissInTheCorners #JoannaHo #InclusivePictureBooks #ReadAloudMagic #RepresentationMatters #DiverseClassroomLibrary #ElementaryReads #TeacherLibrarian #Bookstagram #TheMusicalLibrarian #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching

🧕✨ Real-World Read for Middle School Looking for a

🧕✨ Real-World Read for Middle School
Looking for a contemporary novel that tackles identity, friendship, and standing up for what’s right?

Sadia by Colleen Nelson follows a Muslim teen navigating high school, hijab, and hard choices—both on and off the basketball court. It’s a thoughtful and empowering story that opens up conversations about stereotypes, allyship, and belonging.

Perfect for Grade 7–9 readers, this book fits beautifully in classrooms that center student voice and cultural understanding.

📚 Read the full blog review + classroom reflections at:
🔗 themusicallibrarian.com/sadia-book-review

#SadiaBook #ColleenNelson #MiddleGradeBooks #YAReads #InclusiveClassrooms #OwnVoicesBooks #MuslimRepresentation #TeacherReads #DiverseBooksMatter #BookReview #TheMusicalLibrarian #LibraryPicks

🌊 Fantasy with Heart and Depth If your middle grad

🌊 Fantasy with Heart and Depth
If your middle grade readers love lush world-building, powerful female leads, and a dash of elemental magic, The Deepest Blue is a must-read.

Set in the same universe as The Queens of Renthia, this standalone offers danger, sacrifice, and strength—all through the eyes of a quiet heroine who discovers her voice. It’s perfect for strong readers in upper middle school who are ready to dive into deeper themes like duty, family, and survival.

📖 I reviewed it on the blog with classroom considerations and a few thoughts on content.
Read more here: 🔗 themusicallibrarian.com/the-deepest-blue-review

#TheDeepestBlue #SarahBethDurst #MiddleGradeReads #FantasyBooks #BookReview #LibraryLife #BooksForTweens #UpperMiddleGrade #TeacherReads #TheMusicalLibrarian #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram

📚 Middle School Read Alert! Looking for a book tha

📚 Middle School Read Alert!
Looking for a book that sparks real conversations in your classroom? The Misfits by James Howe dives into friendship, identity, bullying, and finding your voice—even when you don’t quite fit in.

I recently reviewed it on the blog and shared why it’s a strong (though nuanced!) pick for Grades 7–8. Spoiler: it’s not just about labels—it’s about how students define themselves beyond them. 🏷️💬

👉 Head to the blog to read the full review and grab teaching takeaways:
🔗 themusicallibrarian.com/the-misfits-book-review-middle-school

#MiddleSchoolReads #BookReview #InclusiveClassroom #TheMisfits #JamesHowe #TeacherGram #MiddleGradeBooks #LibraryLife #SELBooks #BooksThatMatter #TheMusicalLibrarian

Had a great day today volunteering at the @prompro

Had a great day today volunteering at the @promprojecthamilton ! Thank you so much for the opportunity to make so many kids smile!! #promproject #promprojecthamilton #volunteering

It’s competition day! With only a month under thei

It’s competition day! With only a month under their belts let’s give it our best!! #firstrobotics #firstroboticscompetition #submerged

Only took us a couple hours but we finally figured

Only took us a couple hours but we finally figured it out! All ready now for tonight’s robotics meeting!! #firstrobotics #firstroboticscompetition #submerged

Embarking on new challenges this year! #submerged

Embarking on new challenges this year! #submerged #fllteams #firstrobotics #firstroboticscompetition

And the show begins! Congratulations and thank you

And the show begins! Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved these last few months with #hwdsbhonourband ! It’s been a blast and we’ve hopefully all learned so much and met so many new friends along the way. Big shoutout to #glendalearts for hosting! #

Another awesome night at #glendale with the #hwdsb

Another awesome night at #glendale with the #hwdsbhonourband ! So amazing to see the progress in such a short time especially on such a dreary night! #supportthearts #music #band #concertband #youngmusicians

Welcome Honour Band 2023-2024! #glendalemusic #gle

Welcome Honour Band 2023-2024! #glendalemusic #glendalehonorband #honourband2023

We decided on a school costume this year! We’re th

We decided on a school costume this year! We’re the cutest animals at the zoo haha!

Teaching students there’s more than one way to say

Teaching students there’s more than one way to say add/subtract/multiply/divide! #math #mathteacher #wordproblems

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