I don't teach many whole class novels. Research shows that this practice is not nearly as beneficial as once believed. That is why I put such heavy emphasis on independent reading and student choice. However, on the few occasions we do read a novel as a class, it is always such a joy to watch students fall in love with the books I love. That happened these past weeks when sixth graders read Freak the Mighty. This was the first time I can remember (perhaps the first time in recorded history) that students cheered when I gave them homework. Last week they begged me to assign them more reading so they could continue with the story, and when I told them they should read chapter 16 for homework they clapped and cheered so loudly, you would have thought I had offered them a vacation instead of homework! The ending brought tears to our eyes, and just like last year when we read Wonder, we discussed that crying over a book is never shameful; in fact, it is a wonderful and beautiful experience. When people ask why so many of the books in my classroom have to do with tough topics, I always think of the great Vermont author Katherine Paterson, who once said something like "Books are practice for real life." How else can we prepare our kids for the tough situations they are facing or will face one day? Whether it be bullying, or feeling like an outcast, or losing your best friend, Freak the Mighty shows us there is hope in any situation.
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Miss G
I am a 2011 graduate of St. Michael's College where I studied English and Secondary Education. I love teaching, learning, soccer, and buying more books than I could ever possibly read. This is my sixth year teaching at OES. Archives
August 2017
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