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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Another teacher here just chiming in to say that you sound like a very good and thoughtful teacher. I imagine you work at a private school? Since you seem to have flexibility in what you teach.[/quote]

Nope, public. But a great school and a great department which means my colleagues and I get a lot of freedom to teach the kids in the way we think is best and we are constantly collaborating. Current research shows that students read more when given choice. My classes are built around readers and writers workshops - it’s just that this year I would like to move away from free choice independent reading during class to doing all our literature study around books of choice. If that gets them to read more, that’s the important part. They don’t need to be forced into Gatsby or Mockingbird.[/quote]

Thank god you teach at public.  I was worried that you might be my kid's teacher.  I'm sorry, but any English teacher who doesn't understand why kids should be "forced" to read classics like Gatsby, Mockingbird, and Grapes of Wrath--even if those books make them uncomfortable--is not a good teacher.  Life is uncomfortable, and all kids need to learn that.  I'm pretty sure a book like Mockingbird makes everyone who reads it uncomfortable.  That's why it's such a good book.  I honestly feel sad for your students that you're depriving them of that opportunity.  [/quote]

Mockingbird is harmful to students of color. [b]It gives students the idea that Atticus is a White savior. Tom is entirely dehumanized[/b].  Nobody is deprived of reading any book... they can choose Mockingbird if they want. They can also always read it at home with you. But I won’t MAKE kids read a book that is harmful to them. [/quote]

Then talk about that with them.  TEACH THEM.  That's what you're paid to do.  Wouldn't it be better to read it together as a group so you can point out all the problems you've identified with the book then having them read it on their own and draw these awful conclusions about Atticus and Tom?  Stop avoiding difficult issues.  You're like the constitutional law professor who doesn't want to teach Roe v. Wade or the criminal law professor who doesn't want to teach rape law because those topics are harmful to women.  Buck up and be a good teacher who challenges her students.  [/quote]

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