My sophomores are a diverse bunch, but as a group they are high energy and fun loving. I have enjoyed them thoroughly this year and will be sad to see them move on in June.
They've kept up their positive outlook and focus through the more challenging units of the year, but they are on the lookout for chances to read more contemporary, high-interest, self-selected works.
I am certain, given the right nudge, they are all capable of becoming lifelong readers.
My Project
While the set sophomore curriculum is designed with careful purpose, I'm not sure the lack of choice fosters a love of reading to the degree I wish it would. Conducting directed book clubs seems like a great way to offer student-centered opportunities, and I'd like to give them a try the second half of Term IV.
I am hoping to host a "Book Tasting" early in the term to allow my students to choose from 6 or so high-interest, high-quality contemporary texts, then place a second order according to their choices, so that we'll have the books they choose in our possession after we read Lord of the Flies together in the first half of the term.
These books could then be reused next year either as SSR options, or as texts for another class' book club unit.
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