Every year, more and more of our students are asking, Why? Why do we have to read this? Can’t we do something else? Why don’t we have a voice in our education? Again, these are legitimate questions. We should all be looking for ways to enhance the ELA and school experience for everyone. We cannot continue to do things the way they have always been done, especially when “that way” didn’t work particularly well in the first place.
This section really interested me as a student from a rural and small school system. Many students were always told they would never go to college, therefore they wouldn't need reading, from outside relationships. I believe that as teachers we need to adjust to this conversation and show that reading can help in every day life but is also entertaining and can bring joy to every persons life. Updating the way English is taught carnally help all students, not just those who claim to hate reading.