Welcome to the #reThinkELA chat! Please introduce yourself, including your name, grade, subject and location. Remember to include #reThinkela in your replies!
Q1 Well, according to the dictionary, literature is "written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit." But what do you think? #reThinkELA
A1 Well, according to the dictionary, literature is "written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit." But what do you think? #reThinkELA
A2 @lsmellott I think you gave us part of that answer in your A1. Lit gives us a glimpse into other times, including time that has not even happened yet. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A2: Literature should connect ideas from the past, present, or future to real-world issues. What can Ss learn from it, how relevant is it, & what does it say about real-world issues are three points that should be considered when choosing what literature to use.
I like that! These are universal emotions and helps us see that even people who are not like us go through similar emotions, even if the experiences are different. #reThinkELA
A3 I think our students, particularly those in areas that lack significant diversity, need to experience life from many different points of view. Lit is the perfect vehicle for this. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A3: It's all about relevancy. We have been using the classical literature for many years because these pieces were in the literature books. Can I make any piece of literature relevant for Ss. Yes, I can, but I want Ss to have the choice about what they will read.
A3 This is what I'm thinking, too. I want students to be able to choose what they read. But I also want them to experience as many different points of view as possible. #reThinkELA
A4 I recently taught a unit on social justice. I had students say they didn't realize racism still existed. We need literature to help students see what is going on in the world right now, tie it to the past, and to the potential future on many topics. #reThinkELA
A5 Personally, I would must rather read/teach The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins than Lord of the Flies, even though I've taught the classic. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A6: I'm back! Rather than focusing on the author, focus on the issues during that period of time or find another piece of literature that is more relevant. Learn from the past to change the future.
I wish I could contribute more, but I’ve been busy in a different realm. I am interested in reading titles of interest to today’s students. #reThinkELA
A8 I think providing students with choices, when possible, particularly at the high school can help prevent some problems. I also think having a supportive admin helps, too. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A7: I don't think there should be a problem. Let the Ss choose what they want to read and relate books to their interests, talents, and career choices. It's all about choice, not just reading to take a test.
I am working on a post that offers suggestions of what modern texts to pair with classics. If you're following me here or in other social media outlets, you'll see the notification for it. #reThinkELA
Exactly! It should be about reading choice, and also choice in how students respond to the book. And authentic audiences should be involved, as well. I'd like to see a Twitter chat between my students and the author of a book. Can't do that with dead guys... #reThinkELA
Q9 Is teaching literature, especially for junior and senior, that important, or should we introduce more nonfiction or career-oriented text? #reThinkELA
A9 While I think there should be a blend of fiction and non-fiction, and we should definitely encourage students to expand their horizons, I think the focus should be on student choice. We'll have more buy-in and students will learn more if they have ownership. #reThinkELA
I think ultimately it should be about student choice, but we should encourage students to broaden their horizens in whatever direction they are avoiding. LOL #reThinkELA
College classes are mostly nonfiction. I think it should relate to a student’s career choice. If a S is going to college for a Lit degree, then more fiction should be read in high school. #rethinkela
I see what youi're saying, and we should definitely spend more time analyzing nonfiction than fiction. But I also think students should read more fiction because they narrative helps us experience other POV. #reThinkELA
