Give me constructive advice on how to help my middle schooler in English

[Anonymous]

Like many of you, I think the middle school English curriculum is terrible, unless you happen to be in a Humanities magnet. My kids are not, and it's definitely the weak link that I have noticed in our low FARMs school.

So what should I do? My kids' reading skills have basically stagnated since elementary (where they were in ELC and it was decent). I try to pick books for them to read (used a library list) by lexile level (both new and classics) and they have been going through it soooo slowly or avoiding it altogether. If given choice they would rather clean their bathrooms and do house chores than read anything I choose - their picks will be low level reading like the "Selection" series, or Graphic Novels. They see me and my husband reading constantly, and we even listen to audio books when exercising/driving, so I don't think it's a matter of influence. We also go to the little library or public library once a week. We have tons of books at home.

So how do I turn this around? I am seriously worried about how little interest they have (and no, they have high MAPs but that is meaningless to me right now) and how they are going to handle more challenging courses in high school/college. And yes, I blame the MS english curriculum and how dumbed down it is. If challenging novels were actually assigned by the school, the kids would just force themselves to read it , and if they at least got past chapter3, they might enjoy it. Instead, they got assigned The Lighting Thief and Hunger Games. WTH!

[Anonymous]

Was there a summer reading list sent home that you can check for books to read?
Also, perhaps find books on things that interest him or a collection of short stories?
Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, would be my suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like many of you, I think the middle school English curriculum is terrible, unless you happen to be in a Humanities magnet. My kids are not, and it's definitely the weak link that I have noticed in our low FARMs school.

So what should I do? My kids' reading skills have basically stagnated since elementary (where they were in ELC and it was decent). I try to pick books for them to read (used a library list) by lexile level (both new and classics) and they have been going through it soooo slowly or avoiding it altogether. If given choice they would rather clean their bathrooms and do house chores than read anything I choose - their picks will be low level reading like the "Selection" series, or Graphic Novels. They see me and my husband reading constantly, and we even listen to audio books when exercising/driving, so I don't think it's a matter of influence. We also go to the little library or public library once a week. We have tons of books at home.

So how do I turn this around? I am seriously worried about how little interest they have (and no, they have high MAPs but that is meaningless to me right now) and how they are going to handle more challenging courses in high school/college. And yes, I blame the MS english curriculum and how dumbed down it is. If challenging novels were actually assigned by the school, the kids would just force themselves to read it , and if they at least got past chapter3, they might enjoy it. Instead, they got assigned The Lighting Thief and Hunger Games[u]. WTH!

Ugh, seriously? Those are great books……that my kid read in third and fourth grade. So disappointing!

[Anonymous]

Have you tried the library? They are a great source for book lists and ideas usually. Another thread had me looking at publicly available private school summer reading lists for ideas too.

[Anonymous]

You have to first ask yourself what constitutes a challenging novel and Why? You clearly have a problem with what they would choose to read, Why? And then what is the purpose of the reading? Are you trying to get them consume information, learn about a specific topic, or read for enjoyment.

Also reading the Lighting Thief and Hunger Games in third or fourth grade doesn’t mean actual literary analysis was done of the novels at that time.

[Anonymous]

We did an online AoPS course for zeLA, which was quite good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried the library? They are a great source for book lists and ideas usually. Another thread had me looking at publicly available private school summer reading lists for ideas too.

I am working of moco's list for the summer. it's not changing this dynamic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to first ask yourself what constitutes a challenging novel and Why? You clearly have a problem with what they would choose to read, Why? And then what is the purpose of the reading? Are you trying to get them consume information, learn about a specific topic, or read for enjoyment.

Also reading the Lighting Thief and Hunger Games in third or fourth grade doesn’t mean actual literary analysis was done of the novels at that time.

I'd like them to analyze and understand complex plots. I'd like their vocabulary to improve. I'd like their own writing to improve. I'd like for them to think.

[Anonymous]

Sad that this thread is here, as people argue in the other thread about how great MCPS is.

Good luck, OP. I’m sorry.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried CTY? They would be in class with other high performing peers which could get them out of the rut. My poor kid was in the dumbed down curriculum and became catatonic by the end of the school year, producing mediocre work. Being around kids who are at their same level might snap them out of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to first ask yourself what constitutes a challenging novel and Why? You clearly have a problem with what they would choose to read, Why? And then what is the purpose of the reading? Are you trying to get them consume information, learn about a specific topic, or read for enjoyment.

Also reading the Lighting Thief and Hunger Games in third or fourth grade doesn’t mean actual literary analysis was done of the novels at that time.

I'd like them to analyze and understand complex plots. I'd like their vocabulary to improve. I'd like their own writing to improve. I'd like for them to think.

Giving them a book to read is not going to grow them in these areas. Yes, their vocabulary will improve. They will absorb more complex, interesting writing. But being able to produce it is another thing. For analysis and understanding, you'll need someone to guide them through the text. You'll also need someone to point out what constitutes good writing and why. It would also be helpful to be able to discuss the text with peers. They'll have to consider other peoples viewpoints as well as be able to point to specific evidence to support their thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to first ask yourself what constitutes a challenging novel and Why? You clearly have a problem with what they would choose to read, Why? And then what is the purpose of the reading? Are you trying to get them consume information, learn about a specific topic, or read for enjoyment.

Also reading the Lighting Thief and Hunger Games in third or fourth grade doesn’t mean actual literary analysis was done of the novels at that time.

I'd like them to analyze and understand complex plots. I'd like their vocabulary to improve. I'd like their own writing to improve. I'd like for them to think.

I mean your kids will hate you if you push this on them--- if you want them to truly love reading, encourage any kind of books. If you think their writing should improve, how about a creative or other writing class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to first ask yourself what constitutes a challenging novel and Why? You clearly have a problem with what they would choose to read, Why? And then what is the purpose of the reading? Are you trying to get them consume information, learn about a specific topic, or read for enjoyment.

Also reading the Lighting Thief and Hunger Games in third or fourth grade doesn’t mean actual literary analysis was done of the novels at that time.

I'd like them to analyze and understand complex plots. I'd like their vocabulary to improve. I'd like their own writing to improve. I'd like for them to think.

Giving them a book to read is not going to grow them in these areas. Yes, their vocabulary will improve. They will absorb more complex, interesting writing. But being able to produce it is another thing. For analysis and understanding, you'll need someone to guide them through the text. You'll also need someone to point out what constitutes good writing and why. It would also be helpful to be able to discuss the text with peers. They'll have to consider other peoples viewpoints as well as be able to point to specific evidence to support their thoughts.

well exactly! what would you suggest I do? I can't afford to put them into private school for one class (honestly we are happy with the rest of the MS curriculum, just not English). FWIW, we are in a low FARMS area where there are plenty of good students. The issue is that the school has decided to only offer 'Advanced English' to everyone - but it's clearly not advanced because not everyone can handle 'advanced' work and therefore they need to lower the standards for everyone.

And yes, we know tons of parents who are supplementing with private tutors to improve their reading/writing skills. I don't have a problem with the $$ - it's the time. My kids play sports and are also into theatre - they are going to balk at having to do tutoring for a few afternoons a week when it would be much more efficient to read/learn in school itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to first ask yourself what constitutes a challenging novel and Why? You clearly have a problem with what they would choose to read, Why? And then what is the purpose of the reading? Are you trying to get them consume information, learn about a specific topic, or read for enjoyment.

Also reading the Lighting Thief and Hunger Games in third or fourth grade doesn’t mean actual literary analysis was done of the novels at that time.

I'd like them to analyze and understand complex plots. I'd like their vocabulary to improve. I'd like their own writing to improve. I'd like for them to think.

Giving them a book to read is not going to grow them in these areas. Yes, their vocabulary will improve. They will absorb more complex, interesting writing. But being able to produce it is another thing. For analysis and understanding, you'll need someone to guide them through the text. You'll also need someone to point out what constitutes good writing and why. It would also be helpful to be able to discuss the text with peers. They'll have to consider other peoples viewpoints as well as be able to point to specific evidence to support their thoughts.

well exactly! what would you suggest I do? I can't afford to put them into private school for one class (honestly we are happy with the rest of the MS curriculum, just not English). FWIW, we are in a low FARMS area where there are plenty of good students. The issue is that the school has decided to only offer 'Advanced English' to everyone - but it's clearly not advanced because not everyone can handle 'advanced' work and therefore they need to lower the standards for everyone.

And yes, we know tons of parents who are supplementing with private tutors to improve their reading/writing skills. I don't have a problem with the $$ - it's the time. My kids play sports and are also into theatre - they are going to balk at having to do tutoring for a few afternoons a week when it would be much more efficient to read/learn in school itself.

Maybe become an activist to change the mediocre ELA MS curriculum then. A large group of people would surely agree with you.

[Anonymous]

The Hunger Games is structurally brilliant and worth studying to identify the tools a good writer uses.

Graphic novels can have complex plots, and both graphic novels and audio books can be subjected to the same literary analysis as text books. Maybe start there.

Also, if audio books work, consider if your kid may have a visual or processing issue with text.

There are a bunch of book recap podcasts, many of which get into analysis. The specific ones I listen to are explicit so maybe those aren't ideal for MS but finding a podcast on a "classic" should be do-able. You could do a read-along or read-after.