I really like the book club idea to promote
recreational reading in a secondary classroom setting. This club can either be done
during class time or as an after school club.
The teacher could have students vote on books that they will read. If done as an after school club, the students
will be responsible for meeting with one another once a week to discuss the
book. They will also hold each other accountable for reading the selected chapters. They could meet in the school
library or even take trips to the public library. This would effectively promote recreational
reading in adolescents.
Another strategy that the teacher could use is to read the chapters along with her students. This could set a good example for the students. Even though the teacher has probably read the book dozens of times, she could still make an effort to read (or at least skim through) the chapters that she will be discussing the next day. She could also make an effort to say things like "last night when I was reading the chapters before bed..." to make the students aware that she is still interested in the book. At a secondary level, the students are smart enough to know that the teacher has read the book already. However, just because the teacher has read the book does not mean that this has to change the value at which the information is presented/discussed. When the students see that the teacher is reading at home on her own time, they might make the connection that 'Gee, maybe this book is worthwhile.'
4 comments:
Allison, I certainly understand being overloaded with other literary readings for school assignments and having no time to read for pleasure; however, do you believe that teachers have the responsibility to show students how to read for educational assignments and pleasure?
I have to say I strongly believe that the classics can become relevant to students today through the educator. If a teacher presents any work of literature in a meaningful way then most students will become engaged. When I was in high school, an English teacher acted out (by himself) the most important scenes in Beowulf. With this, he brought the text to life and gave the whole class a great visual as well as a bunch of laughs.
Also, I disagree that all the high school books were smelly! I love the way old books smell!
Amanda- Yes, I do believe that the classics still have a place in the classroom. Especially by pairing the classic with another book and a theme. It does depend on how the educator presents the info.
I like the idea of developing a book club. In today’s society where technology, such as video games and the wide use of the internet have become part of our daily activities, students are not reading books as much as before the wide spread of technology. There teachers need to be able to engage students into recreational reading activities. I feel the book club idea will be an effective way for teachers to motivate student’s interest in learning; however teachers will need to get to know their students to find out what they like outside the classroom. For example what type of games they like and maybe relate a reading activity to a book about games? Nice post!
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