yes, it's getting nearer to the end of the semester. Today I spent 10 minutes with students trying to induce them to read a decent book for AR. One that doesn't include Clifford the Big Red Dog. Not that I'm against ol' Cliff, just that he's a bit below the reading level of your average high school student. Or should be.
While I waxed on about great story lines, exciting plots, and interesting characters the questions burning in the minds of my students were "how many pages does it have?" and "how big is the print?"
Does your school do Accelerated Reading (AR) for high school? Our school has an interesting history with it. Originally, the teachers assigned at least two more novels for students to read during the year than is done currently. Students did not like being forced to read all these boring and stupid books that had no reflection on their own lives. They wanted to be able to choose their own books. So, doing AR was added into the curriculum. Students are asked to read two books per semester on their own and teachers get more time to focus on writing; win-win all around. Unfortunately, as the years have rolled by, reading AR is now seen as just another chore. Something teachers are forcing them to read - even if they get to choose what it is. It feels like a loosing battle with a majority of students.
And even worse? They never see the connection with the ideas in Fahrenheit 451
and their lack of desire to read anything at all.
While I waxed on about great story lines, exciting plots, and interesting characters the questions burning in the minds of my students were "how many pages does it have?" and "how big is the print?"
Does your school do Accelerated Reading (AR) for high school? Our school has an interesting history with it. Originally, the teachers assigned at least two more novels for students to read during the year than is done currently. Students did not like being forced to read all these boring and stupid books that had no reflection on their own lives. They wanted to be able to choose their own books. So, doing AR was added into the curriculum. Students are asked to read two books per semester on their own and teachers get more time to focus on writing; win-win all around. Unfortunately, as the years have rolled by, reading AR is now seen as just another chore. Something teachers are forcing them to read - even if they get to choose what it is. It feels like a loosing battle with a majority of students.
And even worse? They never see the connection with the ideas in Fahrenheit 451
and their lack of desire to read anything at all.
Comments
The Giver (Lois Lowry)
Holes (Louis Sachar)
Hidden Talents (David Lubar)
The Olympians series (Rick Riordan)
Looking for Alaska (John Green)
I'm not sure if all of these are at the reading level you're looking for, but they are books that I have enjoyed as an adult, as has a high-school-age friend of mine. They are at least better than Clifford!
My friend also suggests anything by Chris Crutcher...I haven't read any of them myself yet, though.
Hope these help some!