Recently I was asked what novels I require my senior high school students to read. My answer is: that depends on my students. The same novels won’t work for every class, every year. We must consider that we are helping to define a child’s literacy experience, and what he or she will forever associate with reading. We must choose wisely. Get input from students. Sometimes I have them read the first chapter of two different books and vote. This creates “buy-in.” Have them keep a reader’s notebook of favorite quotes, things they connect or relate to, and things that are not in the Spark Notes, that they believe are an important part of the experience of reading the book. Hold them accountable for engagement with the text in small group discussions of essential questions, and on short critical writing tasks. Emphasize the experience of reading more than the content. What happens in literature should not be more important than how it makes us feel.
Posted on: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:28:33 +0000
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