Okay, in KS3 classes in England and Wales (think middle school in the US) students mostly do read extracts, not whole books, in English classes. I taught in the best state school in the county (and one of the best in the country -- number 11 last time I checked) and in Year 7 (6th grade), the students read ONE novel as a class, although I encouraged them to read more outside of class. I always did book talks, brought in new books etc. In Year 8, we didn't read any novels as a class, nor did we in Year 9. Sad, but true. We read extracts.
As one of my colleagues used to say, we read a lot more literature before we had the literary scheme. :(
Of course, I encouraged them to read outside of class. And in Year 9 (8th grade), when we had a six-week enrichment session in the final summer half term and students signed up for a 'roundabout' where they'd meet with different teachers for different projects, I ran one on reading. The students would read self-chosen books and create web page book reviews for the school web site. I had kids thank me -- and tell me they'd never read that many books ever (some read a book a week -- or more; we ravaged the library and the librarian gave them first dibs on new books). They appreciated being able to read full stop, but they particularly appreciated being able to read what they wanted. I had kids reading everything from JK Rowling to Jane Austen.
For GCSE (US 9th and 10th grades), they tend to read one novel, usually Of Mice and Men. My colleagues thought I was nuts for choosing To Kill a Mockingbird from the list when I wasn't teaching an advanced class. But my kids did fine on the exam. They'd read one complete 20th-century play (usually A View from the Bridge or An Inspector Calls. The advanced group would read an entire Shakespeare; most of the others would read a few scenes. The advanced group would read an entire pre-1914 novel, such as Great Expections. The rest would read a couple of chapters and watch the movie.
I'm now teaching sixth-form college and A-level English Literature. I have students who struggled with The Great Gatsby. It was a real challenge for some of them. Of course, they're the kids who barely read what's required and don't read anything outside of class. They've not read many whole books -- they mostly have read extracts. :( (English and English lit are not required at A level. I don't know why non-readers sign up for lit, except that they managed to perform well with GCSE English Lit.)
no subject
Okay, in KS3 classes in England and Wales (think middle school in the US) students mostly do read extracts, not whole books, in English classes. I taught in the best state school in the county (and one of the best in the country -- number 11 last time I checked) and in Year 7 (6th grade), the students read ONE novel as a class, although I encouraged them to read more outside of class. I always did book talks, brought in new books etc. In Year 8, we didn't read any novels as a class, nor did we in Year 9. Sad, but true. We read extracts.
As one of my colleagues used to say, we read a lot more literature before we had the literary scheme. :(
Of course, I encouraged them to read outside of class. And in Year 9 (8th grade), when we had a six-week enrichment session in the final summer half term and students signed up for a 'roundabout' where they'd meet with different teachers for different projects, I ran one on reading. The students would read self-chosen books and create web page book reviews for the school web site. I had kids thank me -- and tell me they'd never read that many books ever (some read a book a week -- or more; we ravaged the library and the librarian gave them first dibs on new books). They appreciated being able to read full stop, but they particularly appreciated being able to read what they wanted. I had kids reading everything from JK Rowling to Jane Austen.
For GCSE (US 9th and 10th grades), they tend to read one novel, usually Of Mice and Men. My colleagues thought I was nuts for choosing To Kill a Mockingbird from the list when I wasn't teaching an advanced class. But my kids did fine on the exam. They'd read one complete 20th-century play (usually A View from the Bridge or An Inspector Calls. The advanced group would read an entire Shakespeare; most of the others would read a few scenes. The advanced group would read an entire pre-1914 novel, such as Great Expections. The rest would read a couple of chapters and watch the movie.
I'm now teaching sixth-form college and A-level English Literature. I have students who struggled with The Great Gatsby. It was a real challenge for some of them. Of course, they're the kids who barely read what's required and don't read anything outside of class. They've not read many whole books -- they mostly have read extracts. :( (English and English lit are not required at A level. I don't know why non-readers sign up for lit, except that they managed to perform well with GCSE English Lit.)