In high school, teens are made to read the classics - Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Bronte, Dickens - but there are a lot of books out there never taught in schools. So if you had the power to change school curriculums, which books would you be sure high school students were required to read?
First off- I could never be a teacher. I SUCK at teaching, anything. But that's besides the point. Let's pretend that I actually am a good teacher and I get to choose... cue the evil laugh- BWAHAHAH!
So because I'm an AWESOME teacher and I LOVE my students, I'd make them read every Harry Potter book. Just because I'm nice like that. We'd watch the movies in class and discuss whether we liked Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans better than Cauldron Cakes and what animal we'd be if we could be an Animagus. Actually, screw it, let's make that a whole year's subject- like Harry Potter 101.
If I had to teach more seriously... I'd choose books that make you think, that relate to teens and that teach them something about their world. Examples: Wintergirls, and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver.
Funny- I picked all YA books.
If you could pick the curriculum, what books would you make high school kids read?
Great choices! And sign me up for Harry Potter 101 (how fantastic would that be???). Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteI would also like to be put on the waiting list to audit HP101! (I honestly think there's enough in those books to teach a very serious course, though! I mean, in addition to Every Flavor Beans discussions, obviously.)
ReplyDeleteAnd I really love your ideas for history-based YA books. It would be great as a modern way to introduce history.
hunger games anyone???
ReplyDeleteUm...I know that when I was in highschool I had to read ENDERS GAME and HOW TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, I liked both of those books so I would keep them for sure. As far as other books, I'm not sure.
Great choices. Laurie Halse Anderson is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSomeone already said Hunger Games. Great choice. And Speak was so powerful, I really think that's a subject matter that needs to be discussed more often in schools. And maybe some Jane Austen. We need more Mr.Darcy and Wentworth's in the world
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention Jane Austen because I had to read Pride and Prejudice in my Brit Lit class. But for sure, I'd do a whole sunject just on Jane.
ReplyDeleteI didn't say Hunger Games because while I liked those books... well, I'm not that big of a fan. Although the new movie trailer looks good!
Can I sign up for HP101? Because I would dress up for class EVERY SINGLE DAY.
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher - a few other books that my students LOVE - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian; Twisted (Laurie Halse Anderson); The Chosen One (Carol Lynch Williams) to name a few.
ReplyDeleteGreat list.
Those are great choices! I actually loved the American classics I had to read in school though and I think I'd keep lots of those same ones.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices, especially The Book Thief.
ReplyDeleteFantastic choices! I'm jumping on the HARRY 101 bandwagon. Sounds like a blast! And I love that you included BEFORE I FALL. I just read that book last week and absolutely loved it!
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