My students are from a variety of different backgrounds and incomes. They are energetic ninth graders who are becoming young adults. While they are still young and continue to test their boundaries, they are also beginning to face more adult problems. While they are finding their way to adulthood, they are recognizing that reality and consequences are sometimes harsh.
These students also struggle with reading and wanting to read, and they often ask why do they have to read books that they don't connect with.
They want to be able to connect with the characters in the book and the reality in which it is set.
My Project
The books were chosen to enable students, primarily reluctant readers, to find a character they could connect with. The books are realistic fiction, with characters around the age of my students, and the protagonist facing realistic problems. The protagonist's struggles encompass issues that are on the news and in the life of some of my students.
In addition, the novels help bring current topics into discussion in a safe environment.
Students are able to discuss and research these issues further in research papers and presentations. For some students, this is the first time they have learned about characters like Steve Harmon and the legal repercussions teenagers face, even if they didn't "pull the trigger."
Finally, the graphic novel and the standing desk offer my students an option to the traditional text. The graphic novel will help visual learners understand the novel better because of its different formats (diary, script, flashback), and the standing desk will be a great option for my students who need to move about the room or stand during the class.
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