Reading Assignment, Part 3
Jul. 13th, 2010 10:06 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
charliesmumHere's the email I sent to the Principal : I have some concerns about the summer reading assignment that I'd like to address.
Frankly, it's hard enough to convince him to read a book I know he'd enjoy, since reading has always been a struggle for him, and I'm afraid the assigned book, 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' is a bit above his current reading level. Additionally, I don't believe he would be able to process and understand the themes of the book enough to be able to complete the assignments attached to that book.
I'm all for getting children to read, but I don't understand the philosophy behind the school picking the books for them or why, looking at the book list, the belief is that a book has to be about something serious and depressing in order to be worthy. This will only serve to reinforce the 'reading is hard and boring' mindset I know my son has. And he can't be alone in that thought.
Why not tell the kids they have to read at least one book during the summer, but the book can be that of their choosing. You might argue that they'd read something silly, but letting them read for pleasure - the pure pleasure of a story that catches their imagination - should be what reading is all about. Reading for pleasure is a gateway drug; it can only encourage them to reach for other books, and eventually one of those books will be what others consider 'literature'.
I still want Charlie to complete the assignment; I just want it to be a book I know he can handle. With your permission, I would like to help him pick out a book on his own, one that he may actually enjoy. I will make sure he reads and completes the project assigned.
And here's :Nice to hear from you. Hope you and Charlie are enjoying the summer. Our goal of our Summer Reading is to encourage reading and tie it in to the themes they will be exploring throughout that school year. I will copy, Mr. ________, our Language Arts Supervisor and Mr. ________ (Charlie's Grade 7 Language Arts Teacher) on this e-mail to bring them in to the loop and solicit their input. I will defer to [them] regarding the Summer Reading. Please feel free to contact me anytime...
So, what do you think. Did I sound reasonable or like an overprotective mum?
You should see the assignment, too. I'd probably have enjoyed doing them when I was in school, but I just foresee much arguing trying to get Charlie to do it. Also it would mean I'd have to read that book so I could help him. Don't wanna. :)
ETA: Here's part of the LA Supervisor's response: My recommendation is that your son still read “Roll of Thunder…”. I am not the principal but I believe your son will be at a disadvantage if he does not read the book. It is an excellent book from the perspective of a child about racism in the south and “the way things were.” I am sure this book could offer some wonderful quality time between the two of you reading it and discussing it together.
wonderful quality time. Yes, I can see it now. 'Charlie do you understand what the character is doing?'
'Yes'
'What is he doing?'
'It's hard to explain.' (He aways says that when he can't process something.
'What do you think he's doing?'
'I don't know.'
A few rounds of this and I will give up and tell him. Then I'll ask him if he understands and it will start all over again.
And the assignment - has to equal 10 points. I may expound on that in another post.
Frankly, it's hard enough to convince him to read a book I know he'd enjoy, since reading has always been a struggle for him, and I'm afraid the assigned book, 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' is a bit above his current reading level. Additionally, I don't believe he would be able to process and understand the themes of the book enough to be able to complete the assignments attached to that book.
I'm all for getting children to read, but I don't understand the philosophy behind the school picking the books for them or why, looking at the book list, the belief is that a book has to be about something serious and depressing in order to be worthy. This will only serve to reinforce the 'reading is hard and boring' mindset I know my son has. And he can't be alone in that thought.
Why not tell the kids they have to read at least one book during the summer, but the book can be that of their choosing. You might argue that they'd read something silly, but letting them read for pleasure - the pure pleasure of a story that catches their imagination - should be what reading is all about. Reading for pleasure is a gateway drug; it can only encourage them to reach for other books, and eventually one of those books will be what others consider 'literature'.
I still want Charlie to complete the assignment; I just want it to be a book I know he can handle. With your permission, I would like to help him pick out a book on his own, one that he may actually enjoy. I will make sure he reads and completes the project assigned.
And here's :Nice to hear from you. Hope you and Charlie are enjoying the summer. Our goal of our Summer Reading is to encourage reading and tie it in to the themes they will be exploring throughout that school year. I will copy, Mr. ________, our Language Arts Supervisor and Mr. ________ (Charlie's Grade 7 Language Arts Teacher) on this e-mail to bring them in to the loop and solicit their input. I will defer to [them] regarding the Summer Reading. Please feel free to contact me anytime...
So, what do you think. Did I sound reasonable or like an overprotective mum?
You should see the assignment, too. I'd probably have enjoyed doing them when I was in school, but I just foresee much arguing trying to get Charlie to do it. Also it would mean I'd have to read that book so I could help him. Don't wanna. :)
ETA: Here's part of the LA Supervisor's response: My recommendation is that your son still read “Roll of Thunder…”. I am not the principal but I believe your son will be at a disadvantage if he does not read the book. It is an excellent book from the perspective of a child about racism in the south and “the way things were.” I am sure this book could offer some wonderful quality time between the two of you reading it and discussing it together.
wonderful quality time. Yes, I can see it now. 'Charlie do you understand what the character is doing?'
'Yes'
'What is he doing?'
'It's hard to explain.' (He aways says that when he can't process something.
'What do you think he's doing?'
'I don't know.'
A few rounds of this and I will give up and tell him. Then I'll ask him if he understands and it will start all over again.
And the assignment - has to equal 10 points. I may expound on that in another post.
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no subject
on 2010-07-13 03:05 pm (UTC)Also, I think I'm probably resentful because they're making ME deal with homework in the summer. Do I really want to spend my time nagging him to do his work? :)
no subject
on 2010-07-13 03:07 pm (UTC)While I see your point, school also consists of a LOT of stuff kids wouldn't do voluntarily (says the person who took about a million years of math and has never needed it since, heh). Though the summer assignments are a little different, admitteddly.
no subject
on 2010-07-13 03:12 pm (UTC)And I got an answer from the curriculum guy. Basically he said Charlie still has to read it. And suggested I read it too. Which I would have to do anyway because there is no way Charlie is going to process this on his own.
no subject
on 2010-07-13 03:17 pm (UTC)(For the record, I rather liked _Roll of Thunder_, but for all I know that may be because some of the stuff it stacked up against around then [like _Uncle Tom's Cabin_] was worse. I did think it had a less "bleak" feel than you seem to think, but - unfortunately!! - you're going to get to decide for yourself on that.)
Ouch. Jeez, I'm sorry. That's rough on *both* of you - and annoying for you, to boot.