Let's be honest...students don't always read. Even more honest - they don't always have to in order to do well in class. They have a million ways to get a hold of a Lord of the Flies summary. Of course, we can usually tell who those cheaters are, but can we stop them?
How do I avoid this? Choice Novels.
At least once a year, my students will choose their own books to read and analyze. Now, since we're being honest, students don't always read these books even!! However, when they choose these books, they aren't choosing classics. They're choosing modern texts that aren't online! Teachers: we have to use this advantage!! Also, when they read something independently, they aren't able to ask their friends for information!
Choice Novels are an excellent way to engage students and make sure that as many as possible actually read the book! Maybe you're wondering what this looks like. For me, it's a lot of silent reading. Students already don't "have time" to read outside of the classroom or don't make time to read, so why would this be any different. Let me be the voice of truth: just because they are interested in something, doesn't mean it will magically make it better. However, you have a greater chance for this. So, give them time to read in class. I usually start this 1-2 weeks before Winter Break, and workbooks are due 1-3 weeks after. I'd recommend "Peaceful Piano" on Spotify while they read. Sometimes silence can be deafening on these days! Students all work at their own paces, so just make sure the environment is conducive to focus. Also, to help them keep up that pace, have them create a reading schedule. In my resources below, I have bookmarks to help you do that.
Here are a couple ways to assess student learning during this unit:
1. Book Talks - Students prepare a little speech discussing different elements of their novels with the class. While they read, students complete different activities to help them analyze. Click here to see a resource in my store for that type of unit.
2. Workbooks - Students use a workbook to analyze all elements of their novels while reading. The ones that I have created are Common Core aligned and my students love that they only have to carry around/keep track of that one item. Click the links below to view these in my TpT Store:
Anyway you choose to do your unit, I hope that you integrate at least one choice novel into each year. I think it will really change your classroom culture around books for the better. Students will appreciate the break from the old dead white guys they've been state-mandated to read. :)
-- Amanda