Get ready for the lengthy reading lists and book reports.
As Chicago Public School students head back to school, next week, here's an interesting question: Should kids get to choose their own required reading?
I stumbled on this article from the New York Times' website, about a Georgia teacher who lets her 7th and 8th grade students pick their own reading material. I'm a bookworm (and proud of it!). So, this got me thinking...
If students are allowed to pick their own literature, will they limit themselves to Twilight and Harry Potter? Will Tolstoy, the Bronte Sisters, and Morrison (some of my personal favorites) be left to collect dust on school library shelves?
Let me just say, I am not knocking the popular Twilight or Harry Potter series. In this age of Internet, video games, and MTV, any book that gets young people reading is worthwhile.
I am not ashamed to say that my personal love affair with fiction started with The Babysitters' Club.
At the same time, it is important for young people to understand that there is still great value in reading classic literature. Some will argue that kids can read whatever books they want, on their own time.
Chicago Public Schools is among school districts across the country, testing out a pilot program that gives children more control over what they read.
What do you think? Should students be able to pick their own reading material for school?
Check out this New York Times article on the topic:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?_r=1&hpw
