Why do teachers still make students do book reports and other studies?

Question

on books that were popular one or two hundred years ago or more? Why don't they use contemporary literature that is in vogue today? Why must the continually bore the children with tripe that has no bearing on the literary market today?

You would think they would want to interest children in books and reading to increase their vocabulary and to understand better the written word by using books written in the now instead of archaic books.

I love it whenevery one has a great opinion on the reasons 'why'. Makes this such a great site.

Sorry Sage, I was blinded by your intensity.

For the record, this is not my thought. I heard two women talking about the classics in the book store and I asked this question because of them.

Answer 1

I really think there is nothing better then the Classics.My daughters still talk abut some of the older books they had to read in school and love them.
My gran daughter is reading To Kill A Mocking Bird and is enjoying it. Shakespere, Poe, Browning are just must reads. I don't think I would have read them as a child but continue to do so as a adult since I was introduced to them, oh and Mark Twain, nothing better.
Sorry Wally with this one I disagree.

Answer 2

I guess I'm not sure what makes you say that Classic Literature has no bearing on the literary market...Or why you assume that this bores kids.

Part of the reason that it's still used is because it's Classic Literature. A good book never goes out of style!

And, I think that a lot of teachers mix this in with more contemporary stuff, just like they have been doing for many years now. It's important to learn about all of the above.

Answer 3

There is much to be said about introducing contemporary material into the learning factories. Some of the Beatles and other youngsters compositions show be a part of the modern teaching. That Being said, do you really promote that Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and Beowulf take back seat to Purple People Eaters and The Shining -- I agree with you in part, that part being that there needs to be a blending and comparison.

Answer 4

You make a valid point on the timeliness of the books. The microscope books are held under for consideration for schools tend to make it difficult, let alone the budgetary considerations for buying the books. I do think they would have better results with newer books, but I will add that Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird and the Celestine Prophesy ...all are among my children's favorite books of all time, and I must say, even though I'm a voracious reader, they didn't get those from me...they got them from school and I'm glad they did!

Answer 5

Hi Wally,

My girls are out of high school now; however, both of them studied and did book reports on both contemporary and classic books.

I still contribute to school reading programs in my area; and both the classics and modern books are used. I think there needs to be both; certainly the contemporary books are interesting-and the classics are good because they are examples of excellent writing, they give kids a glimpse of how life was years ago, and they contribute to a well-rounded education with some shared values.

Honestly, my little nephews like to hear me read Treasure Island....and both of my girls loved Poe.

Answer 6

You already have some great answers so mine will be short. Kids have to taught to think. The classics give a sense of history and can spark their interests. A book report is required because to many would just skim though and not absorb anything.

Answer 7

My son is in the sixth grade and says the books they are required to read are old and stupid and dont make any sense and he has a hard time doing reports on any of them. So I would agree with you and I realize the worth of these old ones but how will the kids learn if they are not interested and then get bad grades.

Answer 8

This is one time I have to disagree with you, my friend [although I'm ticked you left me off your dining lists! lol]

Older literature teaches excellent English skills...not to mention a peek through an era that, yes, is long gone, but historical and worth knowing about. We here today are composites of today and yesterday and dwelling only on the contemporary belies the past...and you know what they say...the past is prologue .......

I'm ever so thankful for reading the classics when I was younger!...and BTW doing so helps you understand MANY of today's writings and movies since quite a few reference the 'old'

Answer 9

I think it might be to open up new worlds to their students. They are familiar with new works, but may not know about the classics. I really enjoyed the books the teachers MADE me read. They certainly weren't something I would have picked out myself, and once I got into them I found I couldn't put them down!

Answer 10

Well some books are great examples of the works of their time and the maybe the teacher wants you to write about them so you experience different eras of writing and broaden you literary tastes.