Why, oh why, do the schools still ask students to read so much fiction?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am all for more textbooks.
I also feel that if we are going to read a lot of fiction, it should be more applicable to todays world. Greek mythology is NOT applicable. However, for those who must hold out, can we cut the Greek stuff back by say 80%?

Greek mythology is classified as NON-FICTION!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

There are one or two people who are advocating for no textbooks. One of them teaches college and doesn't seem to be from the area. That person eventually said textbooks were fine as a framework as long as there are other works too

I think you are mixing up posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am all for more textbooks.
I also feel that if we are going to read a lot of fiction, it should be more applicable to todays world. Greek mythology is NOT applicable. However, for those who must hold out, can we cut the Greek stuff back by say 80%?

You only feel this way because the Greek mythologies has been thoroughly absorbed into the Western culture. You probably need to read something that explain the relevance. In that sense, you do need to read more nonfiction.

Well, our society is part of Western culture, so it is important for our kids to learn the underpinnings of our society's literature, art, and government. Allusions to Greek mythology and early culture are everywhere and a person who hasn't learned it misses out on a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What's your beef against Greek mythology? My kids loved it. I'll have to admit that I don't particularly like it, but I wish I had paid more attention when it was taught.

Why?

Greek mythology is referred to in a lot of literature--and non-fiction --even political writings, from time to time.
I would have enjoyed travelling in Greece more than I did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, the kids are taking a reading course and they spend a ton of time on Greek Mythology which has NO, ZERO application in their lives today. Maybe if you go on Jeopardy.
Would it not make more sense to have the kids read a good review article on diabetes that about the Greeks? You kill two birds with one stone, first they REAd and the yearn helpful information.
SICK of the Greeks and Shakespeare.

Yeah, Jules Verne, what an idiot to write all that fiction -- and predict the future.


You have a screw loose, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't that one of the things Common Core is trying to change? Having students read more non-fiction?

yes

something like a 60-40 split, expository/narrative

English/LA would still carry the bulk of the narratives, but the other subjects would now be responsible for teaching expository texts.

[Anonymous]

English/LA would still carry the bulk of the narratives, but the other subjects would now be responsible for teaching expository texts.
[Report Post]

Don't the schools already do this? I did it many years ago--science reading, history, etc. My kids did it, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

English/LA would still carry the bulk of the narratives, but the other subjects would now be responsible for teaching expository texts.
[Report Post]

Don't the schools already do this? I did it many years ago--science reading, history, etc. My kids did it, too.

I think they're trying to add a number to it now so that other content areas - aside from English - are held accountable for teaching reading.

But yes, it's always been done - but not it wasn't as widespread or as "scripted."

[Anonymous]

So, now the teachers will have to prove they have the kids reading. More regulation and more paperwork--and probably more testing.

[Anonymous]

It has to be 60/40--does that mean the English teacher has to stop the kids reading if the others aren't having them read enough? This is stupid.

[Anonymous]

I didn't read the thread. OP reminds me of the mom who asked me at a preschool playgroup why people make such a big deal about Dr. Seuss. "He doesn't use real words," said this mom with an MBA from Columbia U. "Kids aren't learning real words."

I don't know where she went to undergrad. I didn't care to get to know her any better. She's probably great with math and statistics, but her imagination....

Sigh.

[Anonymous]

I didn't read the thread. OP reminds me of the mom who asked me at a preschool playgroup why people make such a big deal about Dr. Seuss. "He doesn't use real words," said this mom with an MBA from Columbia U. "Kids aren't learning real words."

I don't know where she went to undergrad. I didn't care to get to know her any better. She's probably great with math and statistics, but her imagination....

Sigh.

Sad. Poor kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are one or two people who are advocating for no textbooks. One of them teaches college and doesn't seem to be from the area. That person eventually said textbooks were fine as a framework as long as there are other works too

I think you are mixing up posters.

I am the pp who teaches college, and I live and teach in the area. I did not eventually say textbooks were fine (that's another poster). I do think math and science textbooks are fine though, but as much as possible I want students to be reading writing in context of the conversations in which it occurs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, the kids are taking a reading course and they spend a ton of time on Greek Mythology which has NO, ZERO application in their lives today. Maybe if you go on Jeopardy.
Would it not make more sense to have the kids read a good review article on diabetes that about the Greeks? You kill two birds with one stone, first they REAd and the yearn helpful information.
SICK of the Greeks and Shakespeare.

Take your kid to a library and stfu.

[Anonymous]

I mean, the kids are taking a reading course and they spend a ton of time on Greek Mythology which has NO, ZERO application in their lives today. Maybe if you go on Jeopardy.
Would it not make more sense to have the kids read a good review article on diabetes that about the Greeks? You kill two birds with one stone, first they REAd and the yearn helpful information.
SICK of the Greeks and Shakespeare.

As a former elementary teacher, the first goal of teaching reading is to have the kids WANT to read. Diabetes? Really?