In this episode of the Forum Faculty Podcast, we’re joined by teachers Finn Mehigan, Joe Bissex, and Shane O’Neill, to discuss how assigned reading can affect a student’s interest in literature. They delve into the reading habits of students across different school levels, the decline in reading for pleasure, methods to encourage reading engagement, and the challenges of assigning and assessing reading material. Finn, Joe, and Shane share their experiences and insights on making literature exciting and meaningful for their students, while also addressing the balance between assigned reading and fostering a love for reading.
Chapters:
00:00:09 Welcome and Introductions
00:00:48 The Reading Drop-off Phenomenon
00:03:36 Lower School Reading Habits
00:09:56 Middle School Reading Transition
00:21:03 Engaging Students with Literature
00:33:15 Rethinking Literature Class Structure
00:33:20 Balancing Quizzes and Reading Time
00:34:02 Creating a Culture of Reading
00:36:04 Engaging Students with Non-Literary Texts
00:37:18 The Role of Teachers in Encouraging Reading
00:38:47 Interactive Classroom Activities
00:40:44 Challenges and Strategies in Teaching Literature
00:55:32 The Importance of Assigned Reading
01:05:32 Concluding Thoughts on Teaching Literature