Should high school students have to read Harry Potter? - Page 4

wannabee · 03-31-2011, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis

Have you read Lord of the Flies since? I did, and I thought it sucked all over again

They made me read that at sKool as well.

phenomshel · 03-31-2011, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Comparing Potter and Twilight is like comparing scrambled eggs to cereal: They're both breakfast foods that can be made with or without milk; the similarities pretty much end there.

*For the record I've read all of both series and enjoyed both (although I had to force my way through books 1 and 2 of Twilight in order to get to the "good stuff" in books 3 and 4).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis

I wasn't comparing the two series, I have only read part of the Twilight series and I was expressing that I hoped the Harry Potter series was better. I must have confused you, that happens, in fact many people I converse with have said that at one time or another.

I liked you "Breakfast Food" analogy, I could understand it and thats pretty good.

I am also very happy that you finished both series, I have to give credit where credit is due, I couldn't stomach the Twilight series, but as I mentioned in my previous post, I'm not the target audience Stephenie Meyer was after when she penned the books. I could be wrong and she just missed the mark for my tastes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I wasn't pick on you or your post Mortis!

I hope it didn't come across that way - I know you were not comparing them. I was explaining (in my own awkward way, I guess), that I did not think they should be compared, becuase they were not really that much alike (IMO). I'm very sorry for the misunderstanding.

As for being the target audience, neither was I (nor my husband), but we both really liked the Harry Potter series. My husband wouldn't even look at the cover of the Twilight books, much less read them - not that I blame him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis

No I didn't think you came across as picking on me

I was just being sure what I meant was what was understood

I'll stop that now

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Ah, ok! What a comedy of errors!

But at least we now know that we understand each other!

Would you two please consider giving lessons to most of the rest of MR in civility? This is the best example I've seen lately of how it used to be all the time here, before something got in the water (my best guess) and people started getting their knickers in a twist about stupid stuff. We all need to learn to act like this all the time, again.

desertblues · 03-31-2011, 02:11 AM

It's all a matter of taste, as I pointed out earlier. But civility is just good manners and I like it, personally. I just hope that everyone tells me in a civilized way when I've said something inappropiate or too foolish. I never mind; may become a bit miffled for a minute, but otherwise good.

phenomshel · 03-31-2011, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertblues

It's all a matter of taste, as I pointed out earlier. But civility is just good manners and I like it, personally. I just hope that everyone tells me in a civilized way when I've said something inappropiate or too foolish. I never mind; may become a bit miffled for a minute, but otherwise good.

I like it too, hence my earlier post, LOL. Hugs to you, Desertblues.

Mortis · 03-31-2011, 03:44 AM

Oh, didn't I mention I was Canadian? I suspect Nyssa may have latent Canadian leanings

Ok, on a serious note, there is little reason to be anything other than courteous and respectful. For everything else there is private messages.

I should also mention that Nyssa can write a scathing private message

Kidding!

Nyssa · 03-31-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis

Oh, didn't I mention I was Canadian? I suspect Nyssa may have latent Canadian leanings

Could be! I have family & ancestry from every other part of the world (sans the Ukrain & Middle East - so far)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis

Ok, on a serious note, there is little reason to be anything other than courteous and respectful. For everything else there is private messages.

What he said! See, we're understanding each other again! This might become a habit!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis

I should also mention that Nyssa can write a scathing private message

Kidding!

Hey! Ouch!

Edit: I meant to start all of that out with a thank you! Thank you for the kind words Phenomshel !!!

phenomshel · 04-01-2011, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Edit: I meant to start all of that out with a thank you! Thank you for the kind words Phenomshel !!!

You're welcome

Justy · 04-02-2011, 12:31 AM

I think that if it's made part of the curriculum then the kids should have to read it and do the work, but if the teacher has a choice of books then maybe picking one that most of the kids can relate to would be best. Each class would be a bit different. I personally would have loved to read HP instead of Lord of the Flies.

I have heard good things about the HP books getting kids interested in reading. Since each book in the series is longer than the previous one that is a lot of reading! I read them as an adult and enjoyed them, my 7 yr loved listening to them in audiobook format but won't be ready to read them for a few more years. It did open the door for him to listen to the Narnia books though.

Mortis · 04-02-2011, 05:25 AM

We should start a poll of the people who have been forced by the overlord that is the school system to read "Lord of the Flies".

We could have the following choices:

1 I loved Lord of the Flies, I'm just glad I wasn't piggy

2 It was Ok, I've read better

3 Are you kidding? Hated it!

4 Wish William Golding had never learned to read

5 Harry Potter should have been in our schools curriculum instead and LOTF gave me nightmares!

DuncanWatson · 04-02-2011, 02:26 PM

If a teacher wishes to have a class that contains HP as part of the curriculum, then yes of course it should be required for those in the class. That is how school works after all.

Should a town, principal or council get to ban it, NO.

TenaciousBadger · 04-02-2011, 02:44 PM

So many books now considered classics and must-reads were at one time controversial. The reason they're not anymore is that they;ve been explained out. All the angles have been covered, all the latent (and possibly subversive) meanings have been nicely bundled. Moreover, now they embody great angst or great conflict or something... of the time. They're part of the doctrine.

It's why, in my opinion, the canon is so inflexible at times and new books like Harry Potter are vilified. People are afraid of what they don't know. Goes to show we're not that open-minded after all...

Mortis · 04-02-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TenaciousBadger

So many books now considered classics and must-reads were at one time controversial. The reason they're not anymore is that they;ve been explained out. All the angles have been covered, all the latent (and possibly subversive) meanings have been nicely bundled. Moreover, now they embody great angst or great conflict or something... of the time. They're part of the doctrine.

It's why, in my opinion, the canon is so inflexible at times and new books like Harry Potter are vilified. People are afraid of what they don't know. Goes to show we're not that open-minded after all...

In the case of Harry Potter I don't thin the teachers, professors or education professionals are afraid of what they don't know, but rather to set in their ways to change or explore the newer books available. Contemporary fiction is rarely used for teaching unless the class is contemporary studies (what ever its called

mariel9898 · 04-02-2011, 07:25 PM

For most books the minute that they become "work" the enjoyment of reading them is greatly diminished.

In high school I was a good student, graduated top 5% of my class. I read lots of books on my own. I was in honors English class. The only assigned book I can remember reading and finishing was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I read more Cliff's Notes and study guides than books. I tried to get into all books assigned but I just could not muster any interest.

When a book is an assignment you are no longer reading it for your pleasure but to get a good grade. You may form your own opinions but those will probably not get you an "A" and that is what becomes the goal when you read a book because you have to not because you want to. So you learn to regurgitate whatever it is that the teacher and other great minds have said the book is about.

I'm in my 40s now and still read as much as ever. Now that I have a Nook Color I find I'm reading more classics and actually enjoying them.

Should kids have to read the Harry Potter series? If a teacher sees the value of it for their students then yes. The thing is that when we really like something we try to get others to like like it also, but we have to accept that everyone has different tastes and interests. I can't help but think that most teachers actually do like the books they teach but that doesn't mean that their students will or that the books will mean anything more to them than something they had to read in order to be considered educated.

TenaciousBadger · 04-03-2011, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis

In the case of Harry Potter I don't thin the teachers, professors or education professionals are afraid of what they don't know, but rather to set in their ways to change or explore the newer books available. Contemporary fiction is rarely used for teaching unless the class is contemporary studies (what ever its called

It's not the education professionals specifically that I was referring to (well, not most of them, I would like to believe). Some are indeed unwilling to approach anything new, for various reasons. It's the "rest" I had in mind, and by that I mean, the public at large, the parents (in the case of younger kids), the school management... the apparatuses that, either overtly or covertly, monitor what is being taught in class.

And yes, these new books are relegated into fringe modules, like contemporary fic -- which could be a way for them to garner attention (and at the same time "be made safe") and become mainstream. At the same time, they're always held against the "canon" (which this is my experience) and shown to be lacking in worth (the completely wrong way to go about it -- just an example: Beethoven's 9th Symphony and his Ode To Joy were harshly dressed down by critics at the beginning, as being music for the rabble, excessively emotional, not for the elite...... well, time has been a better judge...)

wyndslash · 04-03-2011, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariel9898

For most books the minute that they become "work" the enjoyment of reading them is greatly diminished.

.

i don't like having my opinion graded.

i do, however, enjoy classroom discussions on books and everyone contributes their thoughts and ideas.

View Poll Results: Should high school students have to read Harry Potter?
Yes	6	8.57%
It should be optional	28	40.00%
No	22	31.43%
It should be banned from schools	3	4.29%
The blue one next to the fish	11	15.71%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

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03-31-2011, 02:11 AM	#48
desertblues Home for the moment Posts: 5,127 Karma: 27718936 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: travelling Device: various	It's all a matter of taste, as I pointed out earlier. But civility is just good manners and I like it, personally. I just hope that everyone tells me in a civilized way when I've said something inappropiate or too foolish. I never mind; may become a bit miffled for a minute, but otherwise good.

03-31-2011, 03:44 AM	#50
Mortis Canucklehead in Malaysia Posts: 1,633 Karma: 3127774 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Device: iPhone, Kindle	Oh, didn't I mention I was Canadian? I suspect Nyssa may have latent Canadian leanings Ok, on a serious note, there is little reason to be anything other than courteous and respectful. For everything else there is private messages. I should also mention that Nyssa can write a scathing private message Kidding!

04-02-2011, 12:31 AM	#53
Justy Fanatic Posts: 547 Karma: 27509 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver Area, BC, Canada Device: Nexus 7, Sony Xperia z3 tablet, Kobo Glo, Boyue T63	I think that if it's made part of the curriculum then the kids should have to read it and do the work, but if the teacher has a choice of books then maybe picking one that most of the kids can relate to would be best. Each class would be a bit different. I personally would have loved to read HP instead of Lord of the Flies. I have heard good things about the HP books getting kids interested in reading. Since each book in the series is longer than the previous one that is a lot of reading! I read them as an adult and enjoyed them, my 7 yr loved listening to them in audiobook format but won't be ready to read them for a few more years. It did open the door for him to listen to the Narnia books though.

04-02-2011, 05:25 AM	#54
Mortis Canucklehead in Malaysia Posts: 1,633 Karma: 3127774 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Device: iPhone, Kindle	We should start a poll of the people who have been forced by the overlord that is the school system to read "Lord of the Flies". We could have the following choices: 1 I loved Lord of the Flies, I'm just glad I wasn't piggy 2 It was Ok, I've read better 3 Are you kidding? Hated it! 4 Wish William Golding had never learned to read 5 Harry Potter should have been in our schools curriculum instead and LOTF gave me nightmares!

04-02-2011, 02:26 PM	#55
DuncanWatson Kindle Convert Posts: 190 Karma: 62704 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Woodinville, WA, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook (all)	If a teacher wishes to have a class that contains HP as part of the curriculum, then yes of course it should be required for those in the class. That is how school works after all. Should a town, principal or council get to ban it, NO.

04-02-2011, 02:44 PM	#56
TenaciousBadger Mrawr? Posts: 1,109 Karma: 15039064 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: kindle 3 wifi	So many books now considered classics and must-reads were at one time controversial. The reason they're not anymore is that they;ve been explained out. All the angles have been covered, all the latent (and possibly subversive) meanings have been nicely bundled. Moreover, now they embody great angst or great conflict or something... of the time. They're part of the doctrine. It's why, in my opinion, the canon is so inflexible at times and new books like Harry Potter are vilified. People are afraid of what they don't know. Goes to show we're not that open-minded after all...

04-02-2011, 07:25 PM	#58
mariel9898 Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 4538 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Westchester County NY Device: Nook Color, Droid 2 Global	For most books the minute that they become "work" the enjoyment of reading them is greatly diminished. In high school I was a good student, graduated top 5% of my class. I read lots of books on my own. I was in honors English class. The only assigned book I can remember reading and finishing was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I read more Cliff's Notes and study guides than books. I tried to get into all books assigned but I just could not muster any interest. When a book is an assignment you are no longer reading it for your pleasure but to get a good grade. You may form your own opinions but those will probably not get you an "A" and that is what becomes the goal when you read a book because you have to not because you want to. So you learn to regurgitate whatever it is that the teacher and other great minds have said the book is about. I'm in my 40s now and still read as much as ever. Now that I have a Nook Color I find I'm reading more classics and actually enjoying them. Should kids have to read the Harry Potter series? If a teacher sees the value of it for their students then yes. The thing is that when we really like something we try to get others to like like it also, but we have to accept that everyone has different tastes and interests. I can't help but think that most teachers actually do like the books they teach but that doesn't mean that their students will or that the books will mean anything more to them than something they had to read in order to be considered educated.