Monty J’s comment > Likes and Comments
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Monty, I agree. When I taught it PTSD wasn't a household name, but I always stressed the toll the death of Allie took on him and the fact he had no one to communicate with (or when he did he totally blew it) showed how the effects of his death were taking him on a downward spiral. If I was teaching it today, I would definitely approach it from that standpoint.
Thanks P.C. We need more enlightened and courageous teachers like you.
I hope they're out there - it took a toll on me, and I left to pursue a writing career.
Thanks for your teaching contribution. A few of the lives you blessed will return and thank you in person. Good fortune on the writing.
If think teaching any book is going to be the critical element in preventing violence, with or without guns, of any kind you greatly overrate the influence of school and books.
If not books and teachers, then what, who and how? Religion? Religion's been around for millennia, and look where that got us. In many cases, religion was used as an excuse for violence. Until something better comes along, I'm betting on books and teachers.
If you're going to teach mental health, teach mental health. If you want to prevent needless loss of life because of teens going through issues, a novel isn't going to cut it. Teaching people how to maintain their mental health and what to look out for is far better.
I have to disagree Scott. As a therapist and previous HS English teacher, I see the lessons of Salinger as very relevant for today's classrooms. Holden's journey through PTSD, depression, problems with thinking offers students a unique chance to see their own struggles in a different perspective. The value of reaching out to each other in times of crisis is timeless and deserves to be taught to all children in classrooms. When a child or adolescent "sees" that perspective, then they can come to a therapist for individual mental health issues.
Provided that the person needing to be reached actually reads the book. There's no guarentee, even if the book is being studied. Maybe especially.
The best time to start teaching mental health is in health class, before high school. Not English class and hoping that a depressed student makes a connection with a character that, really, does whine a lot before details come out about why.
Timing is everything and need doesn't wait around for the right class. Nor is it an either-or proposition. I doubt many kids will sign up for a class in mental health. But a teacher with a book like CATCHER in her hand has a golden opportunity to reach troubled kids. Why not exploit it? Preparing kids with a few tips before reading the book seems effortless to me. Then what comes up during Q&A afterward is dealt with as needed. It could save lives.
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P.C.
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Jul 19, 2012 09:51AM
Monty, I agree. When I taught it PTSD wasn't a household name, but I always stressed the toll the death of Allie took on him and the fact he had no one to communicate with (or when he did he totally blew it) showed how the effects of his death were taking him on a downward spiral. If I was teaching it today, I would definitely approach it from that standpoint.
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Thanks P.C. We need more enlightened and courageous teachers like you.
I hope they're out there - it took a toll on me, and I left to pursue a writing career.
Thanks for your teaching contribution. A few of the lives you blessed will return and thank you in person. Good fortune on the writing.
If think teaching any book is going to be the critical element in preventing violence, with or without guns, of any kind you greatly overrate the influence of school and books.
If not books and teachers, then what, who and how? Religion? Religion's been around for millennia, and look where that got us. In many cases, religion was used as an excuse for violence. Until something better comes along, I'm betting on books and teachers.
If you're going to teach mental health, teach mental health. If you want to prevent needless loss of life because of teens going through issues, a novel isn't going to cut it. Teaching people how to maintain their mental health and what to look out for is far better.
I have to disagree Scott. As a therapist and previous HS English teacher, I see the lessons of Salinger as very relevant for today's classrooms. Holden's journey through PTSD, depression, problems with thinking offers students a unique chance to see their own struggles in a different perspective. The value of reaching out to each other in times of crisis is timeless and deserves to be taught to all children in classrooms. When a child or adolescent "sees" that perspective, then they can come to a therapist for individual mental health issues.
Provided that the person needing to be reached actually reads the book. There's no guarentee, even if the book is being studied. Maybe especially.The best time to start teaching mental health is in health class, before high school. Not English class and hoping that a depressed student makes a connection with a character that, really, does whine a lot before details come out about why.
Timing is everything and need doesn't wait around for the right class. Nor is it an either-or proposition. I doubt many kids will sign up for a class in mental health. But a teacher with a book like CATCHER in her hand has a golden opportunity to reach troubled kids. Why not exploit it? Preparing kids with a few tips before reading the book seems effortless to me. Then what comes up during Q&A afterward is dealt with as needed. It could save lives.
