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If you give an 8th grader a book

If you give an 8th grader a book, they might read it.

If they read it, chances are they find it interesting.

If they find it interesting, most likely it has an “edgy” topic.

If it has an edgy topic, it will make the adults in the room uncomfortable.

If the adults in the room find it uncomfortable, they will talk to other adults.

If they talk to other adults, the teacher is bound to find out.

If the teacher finds out, chances are she will approach the uncomfortableness with the adult.

If the teacher approaches the uncomfortableness, the adult will mention concern about exposing 14 and 15 year olds to teens making bad decisions.

If the adult mentions reading about teens making bad decisions, the teacher will respond with research about discussing the issues before they are faced with them.

If the teacher begins discussing the research, the adult will comment about parents not wanting their children to read these books.

If the adult comments about the parents not wanting their children to read these books, the teacher will realize she should probably go to the principal.

If she goes to the principal, the first thing she will mention is how students are begging to read.

If the first thing mentioned is students begging to read, the principal will smile big.

If the principal smiles, the teacher will think it is safe to discuss the “edgy” topics found in the book.

If the teacher discusses the topics found in the book, sex will come up.

If sex comes up, it will be squelched quickly.

If it gets squelched, the teacher may need to go back to the textbook.

If the teacher has to go back to the textbook, the students will stop reading.

If the students stop reading, they stop thinking.

If they stop thinking, they stop solving problems before they happen.

If they stop solving problems before they happen, it is possible they will make poor choices.

If they make poor choices, they could get hurt.

If they get hurt, I would cry.

Comments

  1. TammyFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Let them read!!! Way to be there for your students Mandie!!

    ReplyDelete

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