I will never understand why many English teachers think student’s reading is only acceptable when it is the antiquated, proper literature of yesteryear. While many hot titles will not increase the vocabulary of the average reader, the interest levels must be recognized and commended. While some students are taken to a far away, make believe world, others are lost in the romance of vampires. Regardless of how this compares to Emerson and Thoreau, the children are reading.
If I go to a batting cage and practice hitting 200 pitches, I am going to improve my skills. Reading is no different. The more a student reads, the better they become at that skill. Better readers make better writers. So, why is it English teachers would rather shake their heads in disgust at the student’s excitement over vampires, wizards and bee hives? I think it is fear! I think many of the teachers haven’t taken the time to read what is firing up the interest of kids today. As much as I enjoy classic literature, I would prefer the kids read! Why not encourage that thirst for learning while incorporating some of the classics. Are the kids going to be less of an employee if they don’t understand Shakespeare? Me thinketh not!
I cannot think of any classics which have children reading 500+ pages in a day or two. That kind of excitement should be promoted no “poo pooed.” If Edward, the dreamy vampire of Twilight, prompts the kids to turn off the television and become engrossed in the pages of words, I say, “Kudos, Stephanie Meyer!” We need to change with the times, get out of our old habits of lecturing at children and start talking with them. This brings pages to life and sparks a thirst for reading. How many adults can actually remember, much less carry on a conversation, about any Shakespearean, Whitman, Sophocles or Homer reading passage from their high school years? Do we really believe they are less productive citizens because they cannot recall the characters, messages, or prose incorporated in these passages? Again, me thinketh not!
Ask those same adults who the main character was of Harry Potter, The Secret Life of Bees, The DaVinci Code or even the Twilight series, I bet they can tell you at least something about any or all of those books/movies; especially if they are parents! We must embrace the hot titles of today. We must put effort into reading that which interests our students, while integrating the classics! If we truly want our educational system to excel, we can throw as much money at it as we want, but if we don’t change our thinking, me thinks the coffin will close and be nailed shut!
