In a growing number of English classes, teachers are leaving the classic novels on the shelf and letting students select the books they read. Supporters say that the new approach, called reader's workshop, helps develop a love for reading in students who are bored by classic literature. They argue that the best way to motivate students to read more is to offer them more choices.

_ , however. They worry that students who choose trendy, less challenging titles over the classics won't be exposed to the great writing and key themes of important works of literature.Student reporters Donald and Sarah express their ideas about this new approach.

Donald thinks that we should turn the page. Students should be allowed to select the books they read in English class. He says he and his classmates are allowed to pick their own books in class. That makes them more focused, and they look forward to class time. Tristin, a classmate of his at Clinton Middle School agrees. "I'm reading books that I want to read, which makes class more fun and interesting," he says. Offering students a choice may also improve test scores. Studies by Professor John Guthrie of the University of Maryland found that students in grades 4 through 6 who had some choices in the books they read showed improved reading comprehension skills during testing. Giving students the chance to decide what they read helps build a lifelong love for reading. Isn't that what we want for our students?

Sarah holds a different view. She thinks teachers know more about books than students do. When an English teacher assigns a book, he or she keeps in mind the reading level of most students in the class. Students who choose their own books might be cheating themselves by picking books that are not up to their reading level or that are too difficult. Furthermore, a whole class can discuss a book it reads together. That makes it easier for some kids to understand what they are reading. "The students wouldn't be able to hold a meaningful conversation if they were all reading different books," says Kristin, an English teacher at Fleetwood Area Middle School. "If they read the same book, their conversations would be more in-depth."

Now, provide a numbered list of answers to these questions:

1. What is a good way to get students to want to read?
2. what is this approach called?
3. what kind of books are no longer being used?
4. what is the concern with students choosing trendy titles?
5. What does Donald think?
6. what does that mean?
7. are him and his classmates able to?
8. Is this expected to improve grades?
9. which skills were improved?
10. Does Sarah hold a different view?
11. what is it?
12. how might a student be cheating themselves?
13. what makes it easier for them to understand?
14. would that work if they are reading different books?
15. what are Donald and Sarah's titles?
16. Who is Tristin?
17. Who is John Guthrie?

Numbered answers:
1. best way to motivate students to read more is to offer them more choices.
2. reader's workshop
3. classic novels
4. won't be exposed to the great writing and key themes of important works of literature
5. thinks that we should turn the page
6. Students should be allowed to select the books they read in English class
7. yes
8. yes
9. improved reading comprehension skills during testing
10. yes
11. She thinks teachers know more about books than students do.
12. cheating themselves by picking books that are not up to their reading level or that are too difficult.
13. discuss a book it reads together
14. no
15. Student reporters
16. classmate of his at Clinton Middle School
17. Professor John Guthrie of the University of Maryland