Today, I came across a New York Times article, “The Future of Reading: Students Get New Assignment: Pick Books You Like,” which profiles two teachers who are participating in a growing movement to encourage the love of reading by giving children more freedom to choose which books to read for school. OK, I’ll admit that my first reaction to the headline was sure, next they’ll be asking fifth graders what courses should be taught.
But it’s not that bad. Nancie Atwell, one of the teachers mentioned in the article lets students choose books they want to read, with certain guidelines—no Gossip Girls, no books based on video games. She has the students spend time reading during class time, during which she goes around and talks with the children about the books they are reading. She has them keep journals and report on the books they read.
Part of the process with this program involves teachers nudging the students to read higher quality books. For instance, when one student finished a book, Chaka! Through the Fire, a memoir by singer Chaka Khan, Lorrie McNeill, the other teacher mention in the article, suggested the student might now read Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Despite the increased freedom in her classroom, Atwell’s teaching method remains rigorous. Speaking with one boy, she said “I keep trying to get you to read things other than James Patterson,” Ms. Atwell said, pointing to the book he was reading, “But if you are going to write a book review of substance, you are going to have to find substance in the book.”
Not everyone agrees with Atwell’s approach. Most teachers still assign “classic” books, but if one of the goals in education is to encourage lifelong reading, maybe these caring teachers’ approach deserves a try. What do you think about letting students choose what they want to read?
But it’s not that bad. Nancie Atwell, one of the teachers mentioned in the article lets students choose books they want to read, with certain guidelines—no Gossip Girls, no books based on video games. She has the students spend time reading during class time, during which she goes around and talks with the children about the books they are reading. She has them keep journals and report on the books they read.
Part of the process with this program involves teachers nudging the students to read higher quality books. For instance, when one student finished a book, Chaka! Through the Fire, a memoir by singer Chaka Khan, Lorrie McNeill, the other teacher mention in the article, suggested the student might now read Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Despite the increased freedom in her classroom, Atwell’s teaching method remains rigorous. Speaking with one boy, she said “I keep trying to get you to read things other than James Patterson,” Ms. Atwell said, pointing to the book he was reading, “But if you are going to write a book review of substance, you are going to have to find substance in the book.”
Not everyone agrees with Atwell’s approach. Most teachers still assign “classic” books, but if one of the goals in education is to encourage lifelong reading, maybe these caring teachers’ approach deserves a try. What do you think about letting students choose what they want to read?
You really don't want to get me started on this! What is the point of assigning books that the kids hate? Especially if at least part of the goal is to get them to love reading! I like what the article had to say about the teacher. My biggest point when it comes to this topic is that I had never read Ethan Frome in school, and I finally read it about 10 years ago. I found it terribly depressing, and, frankly, thought I'd read much better books that had been written recently. Assigning books just because they were popular once and are now considered classics makes no sense to me. That said, I still think Huckleberry Finn is essential!
ReplyDeletePart 1
ReplyDeleteOK, I don’t like dull and depressing books either. I was supposed to read McTeague and Jude the Obscure in high school. I made the attempt and probably struggled through most those two. But speaking of depressing, have you looked at the descriptions of award winning YA books? Many seem morbid.
As to reading classics, there are at least 2 reasons for assigning standard books. First, the brain is a muscle. If you don’t exercise it, it won’t grow strong. Much as I like reading Robert B. Parker, his books don’t require any heavy lifting. Now I’m not saying everyone should be reading Joyce’s Ulysses, but most of the books on our 10 Books list would be good starting points.
Part II
ReplyDeleteSecond, E. D. Hirsch, in his book Cultural Literacy, writes about the value of everyone having some common points of reference. If I read one book and you read another, we don’t have a common point of reference. But if everyone reads to Kill a Mockingbird, Hamlet, and The Great Gatsby they do have common experiences from which to draw.
In the same way, I think “educated” people should probably have experienced certain films to which people often make reference—e.g. Casablanca, “I’m shocked,” “Gather up the usual suspects”; the Godfather “Leave the gun. Take the canollis”; The Wizzard of Oz, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” I’ve had to give up saying “There are 8 million stories in the Naked City….”
Finally, while the 2 teachers mentioned in the article seem to be doing a good job guiding their students to better books, my belief in the principle of entropy makes me feel that if all teacher were told to do this, the guidance provided would be at best a mixed bag.
That should had read "all teachers" in the final paragraph of my last post.
ReplyDeleteThis is not exactly a revolutionary idea. My thoughts are that it was a slow news day for the Times. The assignment to choose your own book -- whether it be from a pre-approved list or not --has been around since I was in grammar school (which is at least twenty years).
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are some books that are a sort of cultural heritage and act as ladders to other books, but if the students don't want to read these books...they won't. There are plenty of ways to get around assignments without actually reading the book.
Encouraging them to read something they pick can only have a positive outcome. And maybe reluctant readers will find out they have a passion for reading and challenge themselves to read the "classics" we think they should read.