How One Teacher Revived Classic Literature for Ninth-Graders—and Why It Matters
A teacher at a Realschule has successfully taught ninth-graders classic literature, including 'The Robbers', 'Intrigue and Love', and 'Mary Stuart'. The educator argues for more challenging texts in schools to broaden students' vocabulary and understanding of history.
The teacher, who remains unnamed, has found that students engage with and enjoy complex texts. They teach 'The Odyssey' to sixth graders with positive results. The educator suggests including modern classics like '1984', 'The Handmaid’s Tale', or 'The Hunger Games' in the literary canon alongside older works.
The teacher criticizes the removal of challenging subjects, like the periodic table in chemistry, from curricula. They also lament the decline in fluent readers due to constructivist methods in primary education. The teacher argues that some critics, such as Volker Weidermann, use personal failures to gain attention and criticize the school system. Despite acknowledging curricula overload, the teacher believes a balanced literature curriculum should include both old and new works.
The teacher's success in teaching classic literature to ninth-graders highlights the potential benefits of engaging students with more challenging texts. By expanding the literary canon and retaining difficult subjects, schools can help students grasp the past and broaden their vocabulary. However, balancing the curriculum and addressing educational methods remain crucial considerations.
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