Reading Lessons
the books we read at school, the conversations they spark and why they matter
by Carol Atherton
published 2024
I reviewed this book for the i newspaper, and absolutely loved it. In it, an English teacher looks at the texts she teaches, and tells us about herself and her pupils, and about the importance of literature.
Everyone who writes for magazines or newspapers has to live with something: they don't write the headlines. (Times journo Hugo Rifkind has it in his Twitter bio: 'I didn't write the headline, though'.) We don't know in advance what it will be, we have no say in it, and it is extremely difficult to ever get it changed. And while we don't mind standing by what we wrote, it is very annoying when you are challenged over, or expected to defend, a headline that you had nothing to do with.
You will never underestimate a teacher again
The review appeared in the i newspaper, and you can find it here
Reading Lessons by Carol Atherton review: You will never underestimate a teacher again (inews.co.uk)
There is a limit to how many articles you can access on the newspaper's website each month, but you may be able to read it in this photo:
Oh, this sounds absolutely fantastic, Moira! I've always firmly believed in the value of teaching through literature like that, and Atherton is right: there are so many ways that young people can learn to think critically as tings are brought up in stories. Students often think that books arenn't relevant to their lives - until they have a teacher who shows them just how relevant they are.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's exactly it Margot - you describe it so well. And as a teacher yourself I think you would enjoy this book.
DeleteOh, this does sound good, Moira! My own English teachers were so important to me. I remember two of them in particular still. They were formative influences. I salute you Mrs Fowle and Miss Robinson. Chrissie
ReplyDeleteI think English teachers have that opportunity to have an effect, don't they? People often remember their English teachers. In the book Carol Atherton describes those moments when a class discussion really takes off...
DeleteAfter we studied Animal Farm, on the last day of term we surprised our teacher by all standing up and singing Beasts of England, Beasts of Ireland (the animals' national anthem) to her... I still know the words to the first verse, and remember that you could sing it either to Clementine or La Cucuracha