There is a place for classic literature in our high schools, but we forget that students also like to read young adult literature and graphic novels. Unfortunately, students are reading less than ever before. I believe this is so because high interest books are not being placed in their hands.
I teach high school English where our population is considered fifty percent low socioeconomic status.
We have great students, but they face incredible difficulties outside of school. Reading at home, especially for leisure, is not always a realistic possibility. Even so, I've seen it again and again: put a good book in their hands, give them time, and they will read it. But, the only place many of them have access to high interest books is at the school. They need high interest books at their disposal!
My Project
I've chosen books that are proven winners in the eyes of students. Because my students range from third grade reading levels to post-high school reading levels, the books I've requested are quite varied. However, every one of them is a high interest book that students will devour! Best of all, I allow my students to check these books out directly from my classroom library. They keep them until they are finished. My goal is to get students reading again, because students who read become adults who read, and we need more people reading in our great nation. With your help, we can get kids reading again!
I am a firm believer in family literacy.
I believe that parents who read have children who read. By providing these high interest books to teenagers, they will realize that reading is fun and continue reading into adulthood and one day encourage their own children to read. But it has to start with us. We must put not only classic literature in their hands, but also books that they actually want to read, books that they will be excited to read, books that will make a lifelong impression!
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