Buzz
Teaching literature offers both excitement and challenges. In a world where everything moves rapidly and children are deeply engrossed in technology, capturing their interest in longer texts can be a daunting task. One effective approach is to start with genres they already enjoy and gradually introduce longer works. As you progress, focus on literary elements and foster discussions that encourage students to interact with the narrative.
Strategies
Engaging Students with Literature
Commence with familiar texts. Often, the mere mention of 'literature' elicits groans from students, underscoring the importance of beginning with familiar material to capture their interest. Utilize song lyrics for poetry introduction or comic books to illustrate narrative structure.
- For younger students, explore nursery rhymes and songs; middle schoolers may resonate with comic books, song lyrics, or kid-friendly magazines. High school students can engage with popular song lyrics, blog posts, or short stories/novellas that are adapted into films.
- These familiar materials serve as a bridge to more traditional literary works, easing students into the realm of literature with less resistance.
- Ensure that texts chosen for younger students align with their reading abilities to prevent frustration and nurture enjoyment in reading.
Gradually introduce longer texts. Avoid immediately delving into extensive novels or chapter books for younger students. Begin with short stories and poems, then progress to shorter novels or novellas. This gradual approach helps develop students' endurance for longer literary works.
- Introducing a lengthy classic novel to a student unfamiliar with short stories may lead them to seek shortcuts like Cliff Notes. For instance, starting with George Elliot's Middlemarch might overwhelm students, but short stories such as 'A Good Man is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor or novellas like Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King could be more accessible to high schoolers.
Incorporate contemporary texts into the curriculum. While classic literature holds value, many students struggle to connect with older works. Ensure the syllabus includes novels and short stories from the 21st century, which are more likely to resonate with students in the digital era.
- Balance older texts with contemporary ones that explore similar themes. Students may better engage with older works when viewed through a modern lens.
- Redefine what constitutes 'literature.' Spoken word poetry, blogs, and adult graphic novels (e.g., Alison Bechdel's Fun Home) can all possess literary merit.
Allow students to select some texts of their choice. Provide a list of approved options and empower students to choose texts aligned with their interests. When students have autonomy in their reading selections, they are more likely to engage with the material.
- If feasible, permit selections beyond the approved list.
- Upon discovering a book that resonates with students, consider a collective class reading experience.
- Group reading facilitates ensuring everyone comprehends the text.
Approaching Texts
First focus on fundamental elements such as plot, setting, and characters. Before analyzing a text, students must grasp essential story components. Guide them through understanding these foundational elements collectively, particularly during initial readings.
- In elementary school, provide numerous examples, while high school students may require only one.
- For instance, illustrate main plot points on the board as students describe them.
- Engage students in activities like predicting the narrative's progression.
Guide students in summarizing the main idea. The main idea encapsulates the essence of the story in a single sentence, offering a holistic view of the plot. Collaboratively crafting main ideas in class fosters comprehension. For elementary and middle schoolers, opt for familiar tales like fairy tales or Disney movies. High schoolers can tackle more recent films.
- Assign main idea writing tasks, following class collaboration. Opt for familiar stories for younger students and more contemporary narratives for older ones.
Differentiate between themes and the main idea. While the main idea outlines the plot, themes convey the story's moral or message. Simplify themes for younger students and delve into complex themes for high schoolers, emphasizing that stories can encompass multiple themes.
- Utilize familiar examples to illustrate the distinction between themes and the main idea. For instance, compare the main idea of Cinderella with its theme 'Be kind and work hard.'
Foster structured discussions through targeted inquiries. Provide clear, specific questions to guide discussions, ensuring student engagement. Allocate time for reflection before initiating class discussions, promoting thoughtful responses. Alternatively, assign questions as homework for further exploration.
- Frame questions to prompt critical thinking and accommodate varying student levels.
Promote inclusivity in accepting diverse perspectives. Encourage students to delve deeper into their responses, substantiating their interpretations with textual evidence. Validate student contributions by inviting elaboration, nurturing analytical skills.
- Facilitate discussion by prompting students to justify their interpretations with textual references.
Support iterative writing processes for literary analysis. Initiate multiple drafting stages for initial essays, emphasizing both completion and refinement. Scaffold writing tasks to aid students in developing their literary analysis skills.
Involving Students in Storytelling
Experiment with cooking alongside young learners. Many narratives integrate culinary elements, making cooking activities a tangible way to immerse students in the story. Through culinary endeavors, students not only experience the narrative but also develop skills in mathematics and teamwork.
- For example, prepare green eggs and ham inspired by Dr. Seuss's book or craft chocolate treats reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Encourage students to embody story characters through dress-up. Dressing up as beloved characters fosters a personal connection to the narrative, particularly effective for elementary and middle schoolers. Consider themed parties for older students to further engage with the text.
- For instance, host a '20s-themed event following a reading of The Great Gatsby.
Facilitate small-group discussions to deepen student engagement. Dividing students into discussion groups promotes active participation and comprehension. Tailor group activities to suit different age groups, assigning collaborative tasks that contribute to individual learning objectives.
- For younger students, designate roles such as recorder, researcher, and reader, assigning tasks like character identification and simple question answering.
- For older students, pose open-ended discussion prompts and request synthesis of key points.
Inspire students to reinterpret the text creatively. Encourage students to express their understanding through mediums like songwriting, theatrical performances, video production, blogging, or social media storytelling. Emphasize adherence to core themes and plot elements while fostering creativity.
- Allow students to utilize their preferred technology, recognizing that preferences may evolve over time.
