Teachers React: The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books - Part 1 [S7 EP. 250]

Listen to the full episode below:

We’ve got a big conversation for you in today’s episode! This is part one of our reaction to The Atlantic article: The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books, written by Rose Horowitch. A few big claims in the article is that students are no longer reading books cover to cover, technology is to blame for shorter attention spans, and secondary education has made a shift towards skill-focused schooling.

We’re digging into these claims and asking some tough questions - are students actually reading less, or has the way they engage with texts simply changed? And if that’s the case, what does it mean for the way we teach? We discuss how to bridge the gap between what students need to learn and the deep, immersive reading experiences that help them grow. We’re got plenty of thoughts (and maybe a few spicy takes)! 

The article could cause you to have all kinds of reactions, but the most important thing we want you to ask yourself is, So now what? What is the best way to move forward? One thing is for sure. If we want kids to be reading books, then we need to be intentional about the curriculum we build. Join us in Curriculum Rehab, the course we’ve built to show teachers a way forward to create the kind of curriculum that adapts to what kids need!

Also, be sure to download the discussion guide to jot down your thoughts and reactions to this episode. We’ll be back next week for part two of this conversation where we’ll have plenty more thoughts, especially on the topic of college readiness.

topics discussed:

  • Our initial reaction to The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books 

  • Claims of the article (and whether or not we agree with them)

  • The effects of technology on students’ behavior

  • Answering the question: Are we teaching fewer books?

  • Being thoughtful about the texts and genres you present

  • Suggestions on the best way to move forward

  • The shift towards skill-focused schooling, and the side effects of this shift

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More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

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