GEN: RE: High schoolers choice of reading material

[Debbie Stafford <100332.2074@COMPUSERVE.COM>]

Partly this is my 2 cents worth and partly this is my thinking out loud.

My students also do not read the classics (as the teachers and I define
them).  They do, however, read what they consider to be the classics. I am
not sure at what point we drop classic titles in favor of the titles they
are interested in.  I know from reading some of the professional journals
that you can teach literature appreciation with all it entails by using
some of the popular literature that speaks to teens.  I also know that
there are some timeless titles that a well educated person should read.
What I don't know is exactly where the line is between the two sides.

I also have teachers who give out reading lists for books they want
students to read for the quarterly book report.  In one case the list is
from a book the teacher bought (lists for teachers), is the same list used
for the last 4 years and has nothing on it the students are interested in.
With some teachers I can recommend books and the teacher will go along with
it because I recommended it.  Other teachers won't even consider anything
not on their list.  I have given out the lists from ALA such as  "Books for
the College Bound" but it is still a hard sell.  The lists of top Young
Adult Literature are seen as "Middle School".  I wish I knew a magic answer
for this problem.

So I guess that I am saying that PERHAPS, part of the problem is with us
and out choices, not with them and their choices.

Debbie Stafford
Gen. H.H. Arnold High School
Wiesbaden Germany
100332.2074@compuserve.com
Now proudly on the web at www.wies-hs-odedodea.edu

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