Why We Should Stop Teaching Whole Class Novels

THINKING ABOUT TOSSING WHOLE CLASS NOVELS? MY ADVICE…

I hope I have at least gotten you thinking about whole-class novels in your school or classroom and whether or not they work–or have ever worked–for students. If you are teaching in a school with a whole-class novel culture, brace yourself to go against the grain. Teachers and administrators cling to whole-class novels because they are they way they were taught as students. It won’t be easy to initiate a change. Here’s my advice for those who want to try to make this change:

First and foremost, you must, must get your department colleagues on your side. Your school librarian could also help you advocate for self-selection.
Gather your research–I’ve included some resources to back you up below. Also be sure to read Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer. Twice.
Develop a plan–what will you teach instead of the whole-class novel? How will you ensure adherence to state education standards and your district’s curriculum?
Demonstrate how self-selected novels will improve student reading and ultimately, standardized test scores.
Focus on shorter literature for whole-class projects or discussions. Poetry, picture books, short essays, and short stories work well for this and are more likely to keep your students’ attention.