This chapter reminded me of all the work teachers need to do just in order to prepare for one book. Teachers are always going to have homework.
I was very surprised at the amount of books Carol Jago made her tenth grade classroom read. It seems like they would not have much time for other homework or even a social life. 20 books a year for a tenth grade class is more than anything I have ever heard of. It will definitely benefit the students who are in her class. I wish I was required to read more of the cannon in high school. Some of the books the students read I have never heard of before.
I am not sure if the work load for Jago's class is too much or not. I do not think students would be very happy with a teacher if they had to do such a large amount of work. Although it is beneficial, I feel the amount of books to be read in 180 days is a bit excessive. 180/20 =9... Therefore, if students read only during the days they have school, each book would need to be completed in nine days. I do not think is enough time to cover each book fully.
This chapter also went in depth about Frankenstein. I loved reading about all the different points Jago brings up. She discusses why she teaches the book and says that you should make sure you know the reasons why you are teaching a book. The chapter ends by Jago addressing teachers to teach novels which make their students think.
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I agree that when we graduate from good ol' Kent State, we will still have homework. Teachers need to be just as prepared as their students.
ReplyDeleteCarol did make her students read a lot. I don't think I would do this, even though I think reading is important. I wish she would have allowed her students to pick some texts that they were interested in and wanted to read. I do think it's good to read a lot of the cannon, but I think some "pleasure reading" is necessary as well.
I was SHOCKED at the amount of reading, but pleased to see that she challenged her students and it was beneficial to them. I can only imagine how my life (yes, my life) would have been had my teachers challenged me that way and led me to read twenty books per year. I wouldn't be sitting here, today wishing I would have read some of the classics that everyone else has read!
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