CCBC-Net Archives
[CCBC-Net] Shannon Hale vs. The Classics
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Steward, Celeste <csteward>
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2006 09:12:11 -0700
I haven't read the Goose Girl but Ms. Hale's books are circulating heavily in my library so I gave the blog a quick peek...
She has a point--English literature lesson plans in high schools aren't very creative in general. Too many barriers: parents, other teachers, principals, and established practice. Pity the teacher who tries to break out of the mold by assigning a new palette for classes. I suspect there's a perception among parents and some administrators that if students love the class and the assignments, then they can't be truly learning. It's the old suffering breeds learning concept.
Someone mentioned the level 3 reader comment--I have experienced this too. Parents ask for books by level and they also want the library to file them so. While this sounds convenient, it would replicate the whole reading by leveled group in classrooms. Public libraries are not classrooms. Librarians approach reading from a different perspective than teachers do.
The whole points/reward system of AR programs is faulty too. It reduces reading to another competitive (and mindless) activity. Kids have figured out how to get a decent grade by skimming the high-point titles or (shudder) watching the film by the same name.
I think it was James E. who offered up a Separate Peace as the ultimate in boring literature. Oh, I couldn't agree more.
Celeste Steward
Collection Development Librarian, Children's Services Alameda County Library 2400 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Brooke Shirts Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:50 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Shannon Hale vs. The Classics
Hello --
Shannon Hale (author of _Princess Academy_) has been addressing the issue of aliteracy on her blog. Specifically, she is addressing YA reluctant readers
-- and puts a lot of blame on high school English literature curricula. She writes:
"The argument, 'Teach the classics in high school and let kids read whatever they want on their own' is seriously problematic. Many teens don't have time to read during the school year outside of class or have any inclination. For many teens, their only exposure to books of any kind is what they're assigned. According to a recent study, reluctant readers cited their English teachers as their number one source of book recommendations."
I'm breaking the quote here to ask -- does anyone know if this is true? Anyway, Hale continues:
"If we offer more types of books in class, more teens will find a genre they love and continue to read on their own after school and after high school."
Read the whole article, the many controversial postings, and Hale's own list of an ideal high school literature curriculum here:
http://oinks.squeetus.com/2006/08/a_story_for_eve.html
What a gal -- she doesn't even include her own books on the list!
Enjoy, Brooke
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Tue 08 Aug 2006 11:12:11 AM CDT
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2006 09:12:11 -0700
I haven't read the Goose Girl but Ms. Hale's books are circulating heavily in my library so I gave the blog a quick peek...
She has a point--English literature lesson plans in high schools aren't very creative in general. Too many barriers: parents, other teachers, principals, and established practice. Pity the teacher who tries to break out of the mold by assigning a new palette for classes. I suspect there's a perception among parents and some administrators that if students love the class and the assignments, then they can't be truly learning. It's the old suffering breeds learning concept.
Someone mentioned the level 3 reader comment--I have experienced this too. Parents ask for books by level and they also want the library to file them so. While this sounds convenient, it would replicate the whole reading by leveled group in classrooms. Public libraries are not classrooms. Librarians approach reading from a different perspective than teachers do.
The whole points/reward system of AR programs is faulty too. It reduces reading to another competitive (and mindless) activity. Kids have figured out how to get a decent grade by skimming the high-point titles or (shudder) watching the film by the same name.
I think it was James E. who offered up a Separate Peace as the ultimate in boring literature. Oh, I couldn't agree more.
Celeste Steward
Collection Development Librarian, Children's Services Alameda County Library 2400 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Brooke Shirts Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:50 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Shannon Hale vs. The Classics
Hello --
Shannon Hale (author of _Princess Academy_) has been addressing the issue of aliteracy on her blog. Specifically, she is addressing YA reluctant readers
-- and puts a lot of blame on high school English literature curricula. She writes:
"The argument, 'Teach the classics in high school and let kids read whatever they want on their own' is seriously problematic. Many teens don't have time to read during the school year outside of class or have any inclination. For many teens, their only exposure to books of any kind is what they're assigned. According to a recent study, reluctant readers cited their English teachers as their number one source of book recommendations."
I'm breaking the quote here to ask -- does anyone know if this is true? Anyway, Hale continues:
"If we offer more types of books in class, more teens will find a genre they love and continue to read on their own after school and after high school."
Read the whole article, the many controversial postings, and Hale's own list of an ideal high school literature curriculum here:
http://oinks.squeetus.com/2006/08/a_story_for_eve.html
What a gal -- she doesn't even include her own books on the list!
Enjoy, Brooke
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Tue 08 Aug 2006 11:12:11 AM CDT
