Language Arts - Literature Lists

Rationale for the use of Supplemental Literature

The use of a common base of literature in our classrooms provides for shared literacy among the student population. The pieces used serve to acquaint students with a common vocabulary, and engender an appreciation of cultural lore. Though the basal reader provides for abbreviated encounters with quality literature, students must have extended experiences with complete works in order to derive a shared reference point from which questions of values, attitudes, and beliefs can be explored.

Protected Literature Lists

As the Boise School District examines the horizontal and vertical alignment of curriculum across the district, standardization in the literature being taught at each grade level becomes increasingly important. Teachers in the Boise School District are asked to refer to the Protected Literature lists before choosing a book to read aloud or teach as a novel unit. Approximately twelve novels at each grade level/subject area in grades 4-8 have been designated as protected for that grade level/subject area. English 9, 10, 11, and 12 also have protected selections that are part of the core curriculum. Teachers should only select titles from the protected literature at their grade level.

Protected Literature List Grades 4-8    pdf format    Excel

Recommended Literature Lists

The recommended literature lists contain suggestions for use of pieces from many literary genres by grade level. Many of these pieces have gone through a literature review selection process (see description below). While only the books listed with a "P" beside the grade level are protected, it is recommended that teachers select titles only from the lists at their grade level.

Recommended Literature List Grades 1-6    pdf format    Excel
Recommended Literature List Grades 7-9    pdf format    Excel
Recommended Literature List Grades 10-12    pdf format    Excel

Literature Review Process

There are two Literature Review Committees, one composed of both secondary teachers and parents from the school district and one composed of both elementary and junior high teachers and parents. Submission considerations are based upon: appropriateness at grade level, applicability to curriculum themes and skills, reading level, merit of selection as quality literature, and suitability for classroom use.

Only literature being considered for use in conjunction with the core curriculum and taught to the entire class needs to be reviewed by the committee. The committee need not review supplemental literature assigned to students as one of several choices. The committee will report decisions on reviewed literature in writing. If literature is approved it will be added to the district's Recommended Literature List.

The procedure for requesting a literature review begins when a teacher completes a Literature Referral Form (pdf format) and sends it to Dr. Stephanie Youngerman at the District Services Center. Literature requests will be reviewed twice a year. Requests submitted by Oct. 1 will be reviewed by Jan. 1. Those submitted by Feb. 15 will be reviewed by May 1.