Elgin Public Schools Logo

Students Share Love of Music to Foster Fondness for Reading

September 01, 2011

 Launch the media gallery 1 player

by Mrs. Shoe
When the final grades are entered, the check-out sheets are signed, and the last locker is wiped clean, the celebrations begin.  Students rush through the doors and immediately feel the freedom of summer vacation upon them. No homework, no worries, and no cares . . . but little do they know the dangers that are lurking. Many are unaware that in addition to some well-deserved rest and relaxation, their teachers are also spending time coming up with new ideas to implement into their classrooms.
One of those new ideas is a focus on independent reading in Mrs. Shoe’s English classes. The goal is to incorporate some new ideas that will complement the district’s 20 Minute Read program. The ultimate goal is to ignite a love of reading in as many students as possible and to inspire them to become lifelong readers and learners.
As a starting point, English students began working with the term genre. In order to gain a firm grasp of the definition, the students turned to music. After brainstorming what seemed to be an endless list of their favorite musicians, they began to sort them into categories like rap, hip hop, country, metal, classic rock . . . or what we call genres. The students then transferred this knowledge to the world of literature.
The lesson was enlightening and helped the class make the following realizations:  1)  Though she swore it would never happen, Mrs. Shoe is no longer the hip/happenin’ teacher who is down with all the cool new tunes:  i.e.  “What the heck is a Wiz Kalifa?”   2)  Barry Manilow belongs in a genre all his own . . . and probably not rock.  3)  Just as it is not fair for one to say, “I don’t like music,” it is also unfair to say, “I don’t like books.”  There is something for everyone out there . . . it’s just a matter of finding it. Great work English students—your enthusiasm thus far has been admirable. Read on!