As an English teacher, I hear almost daily the phrase/question that can drive an English teacher crazy. “This is old and I don’t understand any of it!” I am not sure that I ever felt this way about most books. I will say that I really didn’t get into some of the books I read in high school, but I have grown to appreciate them as a teacher.

In my classes, I try to make the novels relatable to students. Sometimes it isn’t completely possible but I try. Take The Great Gatsby for example; I do not actually love this book myself, but I have to find a way to get my students interested in reading it. When you teach at a school that has a lot of impoverished families, it is difficult for them to relate to people who are very wealthy. For my students the characters of Daisy and Tom Buchanan are not like anyone that they personally know. They are from “old money” and my students are not.

Another way that I get students interested in what we are reading is by including visuals , videos, and themes that the students can relate to. When teaching Shakespeare, it takes quite a bit to get them to buy into the fact that the people in those days were not much different than we are today. Julius Caesar was betrayed by a friend(s) and Romeo and Juliet were rebelling against their parents. Most students can definitely relate to the struggles of being a teenager and not always getting along with their parents.

Another thing that my students ask every time we begin a new novel is , “Is there a movie?” While most of the books we read do have a movie that goes with them, they are not always true to the story. I understand that there needs to be a little variation from page to screen, however, I don’t let the class watch the movie until after we have finished reading the book. The exception to this rule for me is the Shakespeare plays. In this case, we watch them act by act. This helps them understand the language and the plot.

To wrap up this topic, I just want to add that reading of any kind is good for your brain. There is always an option for people who say they don’t like to read. Whether it is anime, comic books, online magazines, or a good old fashioned book, there are so many choices out there. My best advice is to go to your local Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, or whatever local bookstores you might have and look around. Have a coffee or other drink of choice and explore your options. Try something new and enjoy the adventure.

Happy Reading!

Until next time,

Cat