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Should the parents or the students choose the books? Haggard Send a noteboard - 10/09/2009 05:05:45 PM
But I think that the ones I remember the most were the ones that I read on my own. I don't think there should be a set list of novels that all kids should read. I think being "well read" is becoming more and more difficult. Every year great new books come out, and in the last few years there have been several books that I think could easily have showed up on a "must read" list, and that scares me. How many more books have to be added to lists like this before it's almost impossible to read them all? So, with that in mind, I would say read whatever people are giving great reviews. Parents and teachers should be able to tell the difference between crappy and great literature. If not, I guess just make them read, "them there books with the medals on 'em."


I definitely agree, but I wonder who should choose the books. "Them there books with the medals on 'em" are given those medals by adults. Would kids reward the same books? Hmmm....I'm not sure. I suspect more advanced students would appreciate the Newbery winners, but the average student might pick a more "crappy" book.

I guess it depends what the goal is. And certainly that goal is debatable. Should the goal be just to get kids to read? Or should it be to get kids to read great books? With so few kids reading anything at all, I lean towards the former, but I am certainly sympathetic other arguments.

Of course, those two goals aren't mutually exclusive. Many of my favorite childhood books were medal winners - Prydain, The Dark is Rising, etc.

Sorry. I seem to have rambled.
*MySmiley*
I'm drinkin' some George Jones,
and a little bit of Coe
Haggard's easin' my misery
and Waylon's keepin' me from home
Hank's givin' me those high times-
Cash is gonna sing it low
I'm here gettin' wasted-
just like my country heroes
-Hank III
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What books should students be forced to read in school? - 10/09/2009 06:35:46 AM 1232 Views
I honestly don't remember being assigned any books to read in elementary school. - 10/09/2009 06:43:59 AM 839 Views
I honestly don't remember... - 10/09/2009 08:30:24 AM 877 Views
We are an exceptional lot. - 10/09/2009 04:40:30 PM 919 Views
I remember being forced to read a few novels - 10/09/2009 08:41:47 AM 836 Views
Should the parents or the students choose the books? - 10/09/2009 05:05:45 PM 826 Views
Let the students choose. - 11/09/2009 06:14:29 AM 928 Views
None - 10/09/2009 08:50:40 AM 937 Views
Re: None - 10/09/2009 05:15:16 PM 1109 Views
I think it really doesn't matter - 10/09/2009 09:22:36 AM 815 Views
I don't remember reading books in elementary school - 10/09/2009 09:46:23 AM 792 Views
Exactly my feelings. - 10/09/2009 05:24:11 PM 832 Views
I feel being forced to read a book ruins it - 10/09/2009 01:06:42 PM 881 Views
in elementary school, we weren't forced to read certain books until around 4th or 5th grade - 10/09/2009 02:22:34 PM 914 Views
Don't leave us hanging! What was the ONE book? *NM* - 10/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 414 Views
I really have no--oh that's what it was - 10/09/2009 07:27:24 PM 876 Views
I ended up liking that book... - 10/09/2009 10:39:12 PM 1530 Views
I'm not sure what's wrong with most of your list. - 10/09/2009 02:23:48 PM 881 Views
Good question. - 10/09/2009 05:49:24 PM 861 Views
Beverly Cleary should be good for that age. She did Mouse and the Motorcycle. - 10/09/2009 04:09:42 PM 797 Views
Roald Dahl is always a good choice - 10/09/2009 05:12:09 PM 965 Views
I'd forgotten about Beverly Cleary. Good choice. *NM* - 10/09/2009 05:51:33 PM 389 Views
That was a long time ago. - 10/09/2009 04:53:24 PM 918 Views
The Three Musketeers - 10/09/2009 06:31:31 PM 813 Views
I read this in seventh grade, LOVED IT! - 18/09/2009 01:44:01 AM 1034 Views
I don't think forcing books on kids is the way to get them to enjoy reading - 10/09/2009 10:44:08 PM 1636 Views
I do wonder generally about the curriculum being set for schools - 10/09/2009 10:44:24 PM 895 Views
books - 10/09/2009 10:51:13 PM 819 Views
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is da bomb!!! Should be mandatory for elementary. *NM* - 11/09/2009 02:59:38 AM 395 Views
Which movie do you like better? (Now with lickable wallpaper!) - 11/09/2009 05:23:45 AM 932 Views
Neither. Both were horrible. *NM* - 11/09/2009 12:13:07 PM 402 Views
No way, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is awesome! - 11/09/2009 01:12:07 PM 829 Views
Bridge to Terabithia - 11/09/2009 03:23:18 AM 794 Views
For Australian students - A Fortunate Life by A.B.Facey *NM* - 11/09/2009 03:39:23 AM 417 Views
I can't help but think, - 11/09/2009 03:07:36 PM 930 Views
I think it should be mostly up to the teacher - 11/09/2009 08:22:59 PM 815 Views
I think it's a good idea to let kids choose their book... - 13/09/2009 07:33:47 PM 980 Views
Umm ... my 'reading' class was like ... - 18/09/2009 01:56:11 AM 795 Views

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