Alloy.com

Should You Make Your Own Reading List?

Think your school's book choices are boring? Would you rather come up with your own English curriculum? English teacher Lorrie McNeill at Jonesboro Middle School is giving her students the opportunity to tailor their reading list to fit their interests. But she's not the only teacher moving towards this decision. Public middle schools in Seattle will allow their students to pick and choose their reading list and Chicago just launched their pilot program where they will follow suit in 31 of their public schools.

"I feel like almost every kid in my classroom is engaged in a novel that they're actually interacting with," Ms. McNeill said. "Whereas when I do 'To Kill a Mockingbird, I know that I have some kids that just don't get into it."

But not everyone is excited about this new idea. "What child is going to pick up 'Moby-Dick'?" said Diane Ravitch, a professor of education at New York University. "Kids will pick things that are trendy and popular. But that's what you should do in your free time."

What do you think? Should students have free reign in English class? Sound off now!

You Say!