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Original poster

Reading "The Classics" at aged 10.

53 replies

ToomanyChristmasPresents · 09/12/2014 09:16

Is this normal? Expected?

I have a DD in yr6 who is an able and avid reader. Her teacher keeps pushing her to read the Classics. In fact, he urges the whole class to do so. I am very surprised. I would have thought books like "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Treasure Island," etc. Could wait until she was a little older and probably be read as a whole class with support and discussion along the way.

Basically, I thought my child's teacher was just a little gung-ho, and I chose not to push my DD but to support whatever she wanted to read. Better "The Hunger Games," than "Anne of Green Gables," if the former is read in 3 days and the latter takes a fortnight. Basically, in our house it's the difference between voracious reading and almost not reading at all.

Then, chatting to another mum and friend who's DS is in yr6 at a Catholic primary just half a mile down the road and she brings up the fact that her DS is being pushed to read the classics and she cannot understand why. He's very happy to read Alex Rider novels and at this age she would just assume let him for all the same reason I outlined earlier.

I have to admit, I like the classics, but I read them in my teens with support and then on my own in adulthood. I am amazed at this push to get 10 year olds reading classics on their own. Am I just a molly-codler?

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apotatoprintinapeartree · 09/12/2014 15:24

Toomany

Please allow and encourage your dd to read classic literature, there is a generation of us, who if suffered disabilities were not supported to read such books.
My dd has been encouraged to read as many as she can because I don't want her to end up like me. They aren't expensive and often found in charity shops or local library if you have one.
It is important take it from one who knows. I am still seeking help to gain comprehension skills 40 years later.
It has given me huge pleasure to fill up a complete bookcase for my dc and I love the fact your school is encouraging this.

sunnyfrostyday · 09/12/2014 18:54

I loved children's classics, but they do not inspire my year 6 child at all. I have tried C S Lewis, The Hobbit, Swallows and Amazons, Five Children and It, the Box of Delights etc. I have read to him, he has read to himself, but he rarely gets enthused in the way his does with Harry Potter or Horrible Histories.

He has, however, just had a fantastic reading test result in school, so I think he's capable but just not going to enjoy fiction generally. Certainly not going to stress about it.

mrz · 09/12/2014 19:22

What do they read in school?

Original poster
ToomanyChristmasPresents · 09/12/2014 20:21

They don't read books as a class. They all have the book they are reading and have chosen for themselves and they read it at home and have individual reading time at school.

I think it would help if they tackled a classic as a group with the teacher guiding them.

OP posts:
sunnyfrostyday · 09/12/2014 20:24

DS's group are reading "Smith" in guided reading, which he is not enjoying!

(He is reading Hitch Hikers Guide as home reading - bit better, but would rather read Horrible Histories Grin ).

It is frustrating, because I loved the classics, but my son is a very different child...and it doesn't seem to be affecting his vocab or writing at all.

Muskey · 09/12/2014 20:35

I posted about this a few weeks ago. Dd was given a comprehension on Jane Eyre. I thought it was a bit too old for her. However a very wise mumsnetter mentioned in last years 6 sats exam that the dc were given a classical text as many/most of the children had no experience of classical novels. Since then we have embarked on a classical reading list. Once a month we read a classic text so far we have done Jane eyre, the time machine, my family and other animals and wil be doing Anne of green gables.

mrz · 09/12/2014 20:38

Listening to and reading high quality texts is just as important for improving writing as reading. If you only put Biff &Chip in only Biff & Chip will come out. I really despair with teachers who don't read quality texts in class (doesn't have to be a classic there are plenty of great contemporary texts around) but experiencing different authors is vital.

Notcontent · 09/12/2014 22:20

I think it's wonderful that the teacher is encouraging the class to read classic children's literature! I have seen threads on MN along the lines of "my 9 year old dd is tired of rainbow fairies, so she might like the hunger games next..." Hmm

I think variety is the key. My 8 year old loves reading and in recent months she has read books from both ends of the spectrum - from Demon Dentist to Anne of Green Gables.

NoSundayWorkingPlease · 09/12/2014 22:43

Wow. Some people have mentioned Jane Eyre and To Kill A Mockingbird...at age 10?

Ds1 is 6 and ATM only really enjoys reading factual books (he has a child's encyclopaedia that he takes to bed with him). But I can think of classical books that are so much more suitable for a 10 year old that i'd encouragee them to read...Narnia and Black Beauty spring to mind.

Darquesse · 09/12/2014 22:55

My 9 year old son's teacher has recommended he read the classics. I'm not sure I will be able to tempt him away from Skulduggery Pleasant and the Chronicles of ancient Darkness with Little Women but I. Noticed the book people have a children's classics collection for £9.99 so at least its not a total waste and they are there I he wants to have another look.

I really wanted him to enjoy Good night Mr Tom but he just can't get into it. That was my favourite ever book!

teeththief · 09/12/2014 23:13

Haven't read the other replies but...DS was pushed by his teacher to read 'classics' in year 1 (yes really!). He has only just now, in year 5, picked up a book willingly and read it himself. The books he now reads are NOT classics but he is finally reading which is a milestone for us!

DD brought home Treasure Island last year (y2). I sent it back and said she would be reading books she chose herself from the library. She is much more of an enthusiastic reader!

Notinaminutenow · 10/12/2014 00:27

Absolutely agree about Jacqueline Wilson The Countess. My DS read '5 Children and It' and 'The Phoenix and the Carpet' after reading JW.

He reads classics and modern fiction. I loved to hear him laugh out loud at a David Walliams or a Wimpy Kid. I also loved to see him moved to tears by 'Goodnight Mr. Tom'. None of them classics but all have influenced and informed his writing.

The important thing is that he is reading, enjoying & understanding what he reads.

We make a range of books available at home but children, like adults, should be able to choose what they read for pleasure.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 10/12/2014 08:54

Good to know it works for boys too, Notina!

I'm amazed by the teacher that wanted someone's Y2 to read Treasure Island. Has the teacher actually read it? It has Hunger Games levels of killing. I guess that's ok cos it's a classic, though, right?!

I think actually quite a lot of what we think of as children's classics were actually written for the ages group we now call young adult, only now they're put into the kids box rather than the YA box so people assume they're fine for 7 year olds. Anne of Green Gables is a good example - there's nothing in there you'd want to protect your primary kid from, but actually most of the themes are similar to those you find in YA. They need to rebrand it and kids who've rejected it at 10 may love it at 12 or 13.

Rockingrobin69 · 10/12/2014 16:41

I remember reading Dickens in the library in lunch hour when I was in year five so 9/10.... In fact I probably read more classics at that age more than at any other especially when after I hit puperty!

BellaVida · 10/12/2014 19:35

My 8 year old DD is reading Little Women. The teacher recommended the classics as they are much better for developing language and writing skills.

LePetitMarseillais · 10/12/2014 19:40

I hope these "classics" kids are reading are the real deal and not the very flat abridged reading scheme versions.

You do wonder what the point is when a classic is changed beyond all recognition and slapped into a scheme.Far better to give them something fresh or let them choose what they actually want to read alongside exposure to the real thing.

TheSporkforeatingkyriarchy · 10/12/2014 20:58

I find it normal and expected in many places, and some of them would be good for that age. There is plenty of complex contemporary literature as well beyond the reading candy.

I get frustrated as many others here are saying that some, particularly the ones that make the lists, ignores that just because they're 'classics' doesn't mean suitable or edifying for all ages. Many have horrific things - and many that might be given to young children previously have racist or sexist or other such content that would be better to wait until a child is really old enough to discuss it. Another big problem I have is that these 'classics' lists are often so narrow, very similar authors with very similar perspectives, I wish these recommendation lists promoted wider viewpoints as well as complex language.

mrz · 10/12/2014 21:44

I suppose it depends on your definition of classics
www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/classic-children-literature

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 11/12/2014 16:44

not read thread Grin but i am not getting this differentiating between classics and just good stories?

when i read thread title I thought you literally meant The Illiad and Odyseey etc....

a good story is a good story whatever its classification...i have all these books for DD and expect her to pick them up, read a line and carry on if she wants when she wants.

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 11/12/2014 16:44

BTW I also note on many !! + threads reading of older stories is receomend to strech language excuse sp!¬

maizieD · 11/12/2014 17:34

not read thread grin but i am not getting this differentiating between classics and just good stories?

I think one aspect might be the different form of language children will encounter in books writtten decades ago. Not all of it though; some of the books now thought of as 'classics' were newly published when I was a child! So perhaps it goes on enduring popularity and standing the test of time.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 11/12/2014 21:58

I wouldn't say that something like The Naughtiest Girl in the School was a classic in some ways but in others it is. when I read it to the children though I actually had to go and look up some words. I had forgotten them over time, kind of knew the meaning but not well enough to explain it. So the exposure to different language comes whether the books were the old version of rainbow fairies or war and peace I suppose. They are just different and in many ways more formal. I think older books also seemed to include more interesting adjectives which is helpful with writing.