In my class, I believe in fostering autonomy in my students. In order to accomplish this, I believe in providing reading choices. During our upcoming unit, students are invited to think about and explore the effects and implications of conformity within a group, and they will decide in what aspect they would like to rebel or conform. One way we are exploring these concepts is through novels.
By choosing their own novels, students are empowered to take ownership of their reading experience.
They can select books that are at an appropriate reading level for them, ensuring they are challenged but not overwhelmed. This selection of books are also diverse in terms of the setting and cultural background of each of the main characters. This will provide an opportunity for students to see characters that are similar to them or expose them to cultures different from their own.
Choice novels also offer students the opportunity to practice various reading strategies and skills. As they navigate through the text, students can employ strategies such as making predictions, connecting prior knowledge to the story, questioning characters' motives, and visualizing scenes. These strategies help students deepen their understanding of the text and improve their ability to comprehend and analyze complex narratives.
Students will be expected to read their choice novel within groups. Within these groups, they'll discuss the concepts and ideas that arise within the novels. Choice novels provide a sense of autonomy and personal agency in the reading process. Students are more likely to actively participate in discussions and activities related to the novel when they have personally selected it. This engagement allows teachers to facilitate meaningful conversations about the text, promoting critical thinking and higher-order comprehension skills.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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