Friday, Feb. 24th - Required Reading: Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?
I honestly can't remember reading a required book that I liked. Only thing that comes to mind that I did like are poems by Edgar Allan Poe and Romeo & Juliet. I do remember being jealous of the regular English class (I was in honors and AP classes) because they got to read The Outsiders. I ended up borrowing it from my teacher and reading it on the side. I don't think I ever read a book from cover to cover for school. I'd read just enough to pass a test or write a paper. Sad for someone who loved reading. We just never read anything I liked. And though I didn't read much for school, I still read. I remember being required to read 300 pages per six weeks in middle school and would read well over 3000 instead. I'd breeze through Fear Street and Baby Sitter Club books.
As far as books I'd like to see in today's curriculum...I think more modern books. Not every kid is born a reader and some need books that will keep them interested. I was shocked a few years ago when a co-worker told me her daughter was reading Twilight for English! I think, with parent permission, The Hunger Games wouldn't be bad. While it's not for everyone, it has a lot of good themes that could be discussed. Also I think more of a variety of books. Instead of saying "we are reading x book" why not have x, y and z books and let the kids pick. I know I hated being told what to read. I might have read more if given an option.
This weeks posts:
http://mandiebaxter.blogspot.com/2012/02/tune-in-tuesday-31-random.html
6 comments:
What?! Twilight?? As a future teacher, I would not have that book in my classroom. I think it's fine for pleasure reading, but it's not one I'd want my students to learn about literacy from. We are planning to read The Hunger Games for my class this semester because it is a popular choice for students to read right now. I think Suzanne Collins does a nice job of incorporating a story with lessons, but not being overly-preachy. It has just enough suspense & adventure to keep a student engaged. I want me students to TALK about what they read & that's why I think this series is a good choice for that.
I didn't do much reading school, and had a hard time remembering anything I read during that time, lol.
I would love to offer more choice in my classes for required books, but unfortunately, a lot of that is determined by budget and time constraints. I remember doing small lit circles in 4th grade and loving being able to choose from a small group of books. Maybe some day I can do that for my students!
I completely forgot about Edgar Alan Poe. I loved him during high school. (I think it was high school) I was a half book half Cliff Notes student. LOL!
Integrating more modern titles into the school curriculum would certainly be wonderful! I think it's fun for teens/kids to be able to read newer, well-written titles, as well as the classics.
I loved reading Edgar Allan Poe (the heartbeat story...always a classic)! That is a shame you didn't have to read The Outsiders in class - it was required of us in 7th grade, and I'm glad of it because my class had some pretty interesting conversations because of that book.
I like the idea of giving kids the choice of books to read (x, y and z; pick one) - though I admit that there are a few books I would never have chosen on my own that I was required to read in HS and ended up really liking (Great Gatsby, being one). Pros and cons of each situation, I suppose.
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Ashley @ Ashley Loves Books
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