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Which is Better: Independent Reading OR Whole-Class Literature Teaching?

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Dec 6, 2009
by: jlee2
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Do you like to read a book as a class or would you rather pick a book of your choice and learn on your own?

This is a topic commonly discussed among English teachers. Which is better: independent reading or a whole-class literature teaching? There are many pros and cons that come with each argument. Students' willingness to learn will greatly increase if they got to choose books of their own choice, but some teachers would rather have them read as a whole class because they think it will benefit them more.

Of course students would want to read the books they like, but will they ever pick a book that will actually enhance their literary and reading skills? Will they ever be able to comprehend a classic novel such as the Scarlet Letter?

One argument commonly made among pro-independent reading teachers is that the classroom atmosphere will be much more lively and active since the students are engaged in books that they are actually into.

“I feel like almost every kid in my classroom is engaged in a novel that they’re actually interacting with, whereas when I do ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,” I know that I have some kids that just don’t get into it.”  - Ms. McNeil, an English teacher

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=how+to+find+a+book+to+read&st=nyt

With independent reading, students will be eager to read and explore their books, find out what the theme is, how the characters are, etc.
 
On the other side, however, is the quality of the books they choose.
 
“What child is going to pick up ‘Moby-Dick’? Kids will pick things that are trendy and popular. But that’s what you should do in your free time.”
- Diane Ravitch, a professor of education at New York University who was assistant education secretary under President George H. W. Bush
www.thejakartapost.com/blog/2009/11/29/developing-children039s-reading-habits.html
 
 Independent reading means that teachers hold less control of what each students reads. Due to a lack of a set curriculum of a particular book, the teacher might be unable to give attention to each individual student and what that student lacks in comprehending a book.
 
"In a class where the teachers hold little control of the students, the teachers can't really get to know the individual students."
- Jeremy Finn, professor of Education at SUNY Buffalo
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=113176988&m=113176970
 
 Each one has its pros and cons; it's up to the teacher to decide what's best for his/her class.
Maybe a combination of both would be suitable for in certain circumstances.

 

Image: "bookshelf", Ken_Mayer, 11/30/09, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4147698924_33250b2968.jpg

Comments

A Healthy Mixture!

Submitted by christinakingham on Wed, 2011-07-27 15:17.

Thank you for posting this important question. As a middles school English teacher I feel pretty strongly that kids should mostly have choice in regards to the books they read. However, it's pretty important to add a healthy dose of whole class texts so that students can be pushed in their critical thinking and can work from this shared experience.