Would it be weird to come clean that I didn’t enjoy a book I’m teaching?

Anonymous
Next school year will begin with me teaching a book that I didn’t enjoy. It’s not without merits so I don’t mind teaching it, but I don’t want to lie that I think it’s great. Would you find that weird as a parent?
Anonymous
No, it is not weird.

Unless of course it is The Diary of Anne Frank and you don’t like it because it mentions the holocaust or something like that.

Just not liking it is fine.

Maybe talk to administration about a better option?
Anonymous
No because people are allowed to have opinions but I also don't think you should ruin it for the students right off the bat. You can give your opinion if it comes up organically but try not to ruin it for them before they read it.
Anonymous
I don't think I'd start out telling the kids that you didn't enjoy it. Wait until they are reading or have read the majority, and help them along by letting them know why you didn't like it, or through the parts that are a struggle. Be sure to add the benefits of reading it, even though it's not a favorite.

Lots of lessons in a bad book
Anonymous
I would find it weird if you loved every book and every genre. Education isn't always fun and enjoyable, so we shouldn't pretend it is to kids. Sometimes you have to slog through hard books (Shakespeare!) so you can learn resilience.

Besides, do you think adults like 90% of the stuff they read? Caselaw is incredibly boring even when I like my actual job. I do like to read books for pleasure, but I only get an hour a night for that. I have to spend 8-10 hours reading things I don't want to.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I don't think I'd start out telling the kids that you didn't enjoy it. Wait until they are reading or have read the majority, and help them along by letting them know why you didn't like it, or through the parts that are a struggle. Be sure to add the benefits of reading it, even though it's not a favorite.

Lots of lessons in a bad book


I agree ... as long as you don't trash it gratuitously, and make it clear WHY you are teaching it, I think this is a good lesson!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:No, it is not weird.

Unless of course it is The Diary of Anne Frank and you don’t like it because it mentions the holocaust or something like that.

Just not liking it is fine.

Maybe talk to administration about a better option?


Thanks.

No, nothing like that. The premise is great, but the execution was not. I don’t want to name the book because people get wrapped up in their own experiences of reading it.

In being honest, my hope is to convey that you don’t have to like something to learn from it. The other teacher loves the book and struggles with kids who don’t like it.

I text my program head to see how she feels.
Anonymous
Most books that adults read for fun have zero literary content. Think ACOTAR or Fourth Wing. They are read for entertainment, just like most of what's watched on TV is for entertainment. Most kid books are junk too. You can't teach classes on those.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I don't think I'd start out telling the kids that you didn't enjoy it. Wait until they are reading or have read the majority, and help them along by letting them know why you didn't like it, or through the parts that are a struggle. Be sure to add the benefits of reading it, even though it's not a favorite.

Lots of lessons in a bad book


Thanks. That’s my thinking. I don’t think I could teach it if I thought it was worthless.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:No because people are allowed to have opinions but I also don't think you should ruin it for the students right off the bat. You can give your opinion if it comes up organically but try not to ruin it for them before they read it.


I agree. This is why I said that I don’t want to lie. The other teacher is always so excited about the book. I didn’t teach it last year so this is a new dilemma for me.
Anonymous
Say it at the end, after all work re: the book has been turned in. Don't overemphasize it but use it as an example for the students to reflect on how well you did teaching it even though teaching it wasn't your choice.
Anonymous
You're the teacher. Nobody cares what your opinion is of the book. It's not about whether or not you liked it.
Anonymous
It's an opportunity to talk about curriculum and the canon. You can understand why a book's important and how it fits in with larger educational goals without loving it. --humanities professor
Anonymous
You don't give your opinion until the class has finished reading. Then discuss. If it comes up, then I would say that you think the premise is solid (and why) but the execution of the premise is lacking in your opinion, and why.

I would also teach why others like it. Otherwise, you, as an authority figure, are teaching the students to believe you know best.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:It's an opportunity to talk about curriculum and the canon. You can understand why a book's important and how it fits in with larger educational goals without loving it. --humanities professor


Very well said.
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