|
|
Interversity Quotes"I think it's time to ask the Standardistos: Where's the test for compassion? For honesty? For curiosity? For moral commitment? Until they can answer, let's tell them to shut up." —Susan Ohanian (One Size Fits Few: The Folly of Educational Standards) Interversity ProjectsEchoes of Orwell:The purpose of this webforum is to promote a lively discussion among students and faculty alike about George Orwell's 1984 and the parallels or echoes found in today's society. |
[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index] Re: Helllllllllllllllllp please!
Wow..sorry to hear that you're going through so much madness. I taught 8th grade last year, and we ended up reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. It was challenging for my students. It was packed full of analytical possibilities. We also read a very light book called Hoot by Louis Sachar. It's not as challenging but it is very lighthearted. Another good one that I've found is called Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska. It's about the daughter of a strict Orthodox rabbi. Her family immigrated to the US. Throughout the book she struggles toward independence through education, work, and love. Two other books that were optional were Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis and Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. I'd have to ask others on the list about these two titles. I never read them or got to them in my class. Sincerely, Alisha Trisha MacKenzie <trisha.mackenzie@gmail.com> wrote: I'm having a crisis of confidence after 16 years. I'm still standing, but I have been pummeled the last two weeks regarding reading selections in my 8th grade classes. I'm new this year at a very high-achieving school. Because I'm new, I'm expected to hold the line a 30 year veteran established until I've proven myself, I guess. A parent, who by the way owns/owned a company called Positive Books for Children, is unpleasantly challenging the established curriculum -- she's angry that the tone of the books and short stories so far are "violent" -- We're just coming out of a unit on Poe (Tell Tale Heart, Fall of the House of Usher, The Black Cat, Annabel Lee, The Raven) -- prior to that Seedfolks and a Depression era novel that I don't like called Nothing to Fear. Prior to that -- Marigolds by Eugenia Collier, Ransom of Red Chief, The Day I Got Lost, and lots of poetry. So. Can I please tap into this group's broad experience, and ask for titles of short stories and novels that YOU think have a positive, uplifting tone for that woman -- and for me that have depth, analytical possibilities, and a multitude of teaching opportunities. I'm not asking for much, am I? Oh . . . and we start Elie Wiesel's Night in early February. That will thrill her. Thanking you in advance. Trisha .·´* --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.
Post a Message to middle-lit: |
eric |