How many assigned books in 8th this semester?

[Anonymous]

You can still give them choice while choosing literature. I remember in high school we were given a list of classics with blurbs and we got to choose which one we wanted to read.

[Anonymous]

So if each student chooses different books, how does the teacher teach anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

Because they're not going to read it if given a choice but they actually may like it.

But, yes, let them read what they want as long as they're reading SOMETHING. That's what it has come to. Do you realize that many of these youth fiction novels are well below grade level?

Which Classix do you feel like the student should read that will make a difference in the future and make them better participants in our society?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So if each student chooses different books, how does the teacher teach anything?

It depends on the objectives of the unit. Are we asking them to talk about character, plot, setting? Generic topic can be discussed with any book but when we’re focusing something specific, we often do give them a choice of 3 to 5 books that were your knowledgeable about and have course material on. But a lot of teachers will assign short stories, because some students are very slow readers or they can’t keep up with the reading, and they often fall chapters behind the rest of the class. That affects pacing and that’s when things become extremely difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if each student chooses different books, how does the teacher teach anything?

It depends on the objectives of the unit. Are we asking them to talk about character, plot, setting? Generic topic can be discussed with any book but when we’re focusing something specific, we often do give them a choice of 3 to 5 books that were your knowledgeable about and have course material on. But a lot of teachers will assign short stories, because some students are very slow readers or they can’t keep up with the reading, and they often fall chapters behind the rest of the class. That affects pacing and that’s when things become extremely difficult.

Is this how it is in high school too? I can’t imagine students expecting to read one book chosen for them by the professor if they’ve only gotten to choose their own.

[Anonymous]

I hated the classics in school and I would be fine if they skipped them. I just wish they read something, anything at all.

[Anonymous]

In AAP, in ES, my kids were assigned books that the entire class read. I can see how that would be difficult in Gen Ed when you can have a wide variation of levels but that's why you have reading groups. However in MS and HS, the teacher should be able to assign books since classes are already leveled.

To PPs statements about reading anything, what will kids do in college when they don't get a choice? Quit because it's too hard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In AAP, in ES, my kids were assigned books that the entire class read. I can see how that would be difficult in Gen Ed when you can have a wide variation of levels but that's why you have reading groups. However in MS and HS, the teacher should be able to assign books since classes are already leveled.

To PPs statements about reading anything, what will kids do in college when they don't get a choice? Quit because it's too hard?

Pretty much this. And kids should be exposed to a variety of authors not just novels geared towards teens.

[Anonymous]

I don't feel like my kid has ready any books ever in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel like my kid has ready any books ever in FCPS.

ES book club groups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel like my kid has ready any books ever in FCPS.

ES book club groups?

We’ve had no structured reading groups. But my kids do report they read books the check out from the library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel like my kid has ready any books ever in FCPS.

ES book club groups?

We’ve had no structured reading groups. But my kids do report they read books the check out from the library.

My kids never really made it to the library unless I took them to the public one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.