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Who Chooses What Students Read?
There is an emerging trend toward allowing middle school and high school students to choose the literature they read in school. Variations on this approach are known as “reading workshop.” On the other side, there is the traditional approach of assigning the books that students read. Many literacy specialists support the reading workshop concept, arguing that giving students a say in what they read motivates them to read. Other specialists are concerned that students will not choose to read high quality literature. The middle ground is to allow students some choice in selecting books to be read, while assigning others.
There is virtually no research to support or negate the reading workshop approach. We support assigning high quality literature so that all students read the same books, facilitating meaningful group discussion. We are concerned that given a choice of what to read, too many students will choose low quality books that are at an easier level than those they are capable of reading.
We welcome any thoughts on this issue.
allowing students to choose their own books is not the best,the book a student chooses may not be benefecial and interesting to the other. A teacher should do the choosing because he/she knows what book will be appopriate for the average student.