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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Really, OP…I'm guessing you are not in the educational field to have any understanding about the reasons kids are asked to read and analyze various pieces of fiction - analytical skills, historical context, understanding the references that are made on a daily basis from Greek mythology (to use your example) - and yes, even those stupid Hollywood movies I'm guessing you love are often based on mythological stories.

[b]Scientific articles are valuable and should be read in a science class (and any good, progressive school is using a variety of sources for information from textbooks to the internet and other periodicals). However, reading a scientific article does not provide as valuable vocabulary, history, grammatical context as a story of fiction - not to mention creativity and analysis.[/b]

My goodness, I feel for your kids if all you want them to read is dry science…what a lack of imagination and creativity![/quote]

I'm curious why you don't think that any sort of non-fiction readings could possibly provide any vocabulary, history, or grammar lessons? (Also, LOL at the idea that kids read science articles in science class. MAYBE in AP science in high school.)[/quote]

I never said that non-fiction reading does not provide the above things, but most non-fiction writing is dry and limited in its use of vocabulary and certainly limited on the creative side. Only reading non-fiction limits a person's exposure. Reading should be about fun….if you don't find pleasure in sitting down to a great book than I truly and honestly feel sorry for you. It's one of life's great pleasures!

Also, I'm truly sorry that your kids are not being exposed to articles in science…my kids' teachers have been providing various periodicals and sources for every one of their classes - sciences, history, economics (in high school) and geography - since their elementary school years - they are now teenagers. If your kids are only being exposed to dated textbooks than you should be questioning your school. Or you should be helping them to find good additional sources to expand their knowledge base. Gone are the years that kids only learn from textbooks.[/quote]

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