Classic books are commonly assigned as required readings in schools all across the United States.
“I think that we need to get more modern literature into our curriculum,” English teacher Kathryn Schaefer said. “However, it needs to be at a level that deserves a classroom read.”
Gauging the level of maturity in a read is critical when choosing what to assign for the grade level, says Schaefer. Providing interesting material to students is also an important factor in making the decisions.
“I think that every grade level is working on bringing in more of those books as options for students. A lot of times, you’ll see those types of books come into lit sets. There are [also] senior electives geared towards social issues and the books that address them,” Schaefer said.
In 2023, 4,250 books were targeted for removal from schools. According to the American Library Association, this was a 65% increase from 2022. Classic readings like “1984” or “To Kill a Mockingbird” are often targeted for bans and removals.
Cooper noted that critical voices and experiences are still missing from the required reading lists. However, both teachers believe that classic literature still has its place.
“There’s something special about a group of people all reading the same book at the same time and having the same conversations,” Cooper said. “Required readings are important in getting that experience.”
Despite not enjoying “The Lord of the Flies,” Cooper believes the book is valuable for discussion. The story brings up important conversations and is generally appreciated by students.
“I love teaching “The Great Gatsby” in my 11th grade class, probably because it’s the book I remember reading from when I was in high school. It’s what spoke to me and got me interested in continuing with high-level literature,” Schaefer said.
According to Schaefer, working alongside the student’s interests can create a better learning experience and make them more invested if the book aligns with their preferences.
“We’ve got to leave room for their choice in what they’re reading so that they realize there’s literature out there that’s great to read on your own. It doesn’t all have to be a class type of book so deep that they can’t get through it on their own,” Schaefer said. It’s not that I don’t think they can; it’s just that I think certain ones benefit from teacher guidance.”
Public schooling is under a bit of the spotlight, with President Trump planning to abolish the education department.
Cooper noted that critical voices and experiences are still missing from the required reading lists. However, both teachers believe that classic literature still has its place.
“There’s something special about a group of people all reading the same book at the same time and having the same conversations,” Cooper said. “Required readings are important in getting that experience.”
(According to the National Literacy Institute)
According to Harvard Business Review, reading has many great benefits. From improving intelligence to decreasing stress, reading is an essential and beneficial skill. Finding a read that is not only valuable but interesting enough for students to get involved is something to consider, especially with the declining rates of literacy in the United States.
“The best kind of novels are the ones where you can just keep peeling back the layers of what’s going on in them and see more and more depth to what the author was doing. So many do that. Those are the richest experiences, I think, for students, too,” Schaefer said.
Today, teachers may approach reading differently than what would be typical a few decades ago. Instead of focusing on plot recall, we’d typically dig into analysis or try to view the story from a different lens, stated Cooper.
“It’s the idea that you sit down and read a book. I want it to be for enjoyment, too,” Cooper said. “The critical thinking skills we’re asking you to do through required readings, the conversations around topics and books, are the things that carry over to post-high school years.”
