To Kill a Mockingbird
discussion
Is it appropriate to read for 6-7th graders
message 51:
by
[deleted user]
(new)
Dec 08, 2012 10:25PM
As with all books, appropriateness depends on maturity levels. I first read it in about year 6 and I loved it; however as a school book in year 9; many found it boring, hated it, and didn't finish.
reply
|
flag
Leanne wrote: "It needs to be read with a background and understanding of the themes, motifs and implicit messages and no one below grade 9/10 has the maturity to truly understand it."
I read it in about year 6, for personal enjoyment, and felt I understood and appreciated it. Reading it again in yr 9, for school, I felt I gained no new knowledge, and many of my friends and classmates understood nothing of it and hated it.
I read it in about year 6, for personal enjoyment, and felt I understood and appreciated it. Reading it again in yr 9, for school, I felt I gained no new knowledge, and many of my friends and classmates understood nothing of it and hated it.
Many parents like to shun this but you can't. These children need to realize the realites of human cruelty and want they can do to not develop racist feelings. One must stay in touch with the world.
Rachel wrote: "Many parents like to shun this but you can't. These children need to realize the realites of human cruelty and want they can do to not develop racist feelings. One must stay in touch with the world."Agreed. A parent can shelter their kid to a point when they're little, but not forever. Honestly, though, the themes in this book are not entirely unfamiliar to the average middle schooler.
Melissa wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Many parents like to shun this but you can't. These children need to realize the realites of human cruelty and want they can do to not develop racist feelings. One must stay in touch..."
Thank you for agreeing. This was also written through the eyes of a little girl as well!
Thank you for agreeing. This was also written through the eyes of a little girl as well!
I wouldn't say so, a tad too depressing for that young age....
Aliaa wrote: "I wouldn't say so, a tad too depressing for that young age...."Explain why you consider it too depressing for a middle schooler. Many young people have complicated (and often not happy) lives. Most middle schoolers have heard - if not seen - worse.
I think it is appropriate, during those and earlier years children are already being made aware of some language some may not approve of. But they know of it. This story presents them with the differences of race, of good and bad, of love, of caring for people regardless of mental development or color of skin, of standing up for right. So many good examples that everyone should be aware of. I have read this book several times, each time regardless of age it stirs be and gives me a wake up call, doesn't let me take anything for granted. If one should feel uncomfortable then read it to or with them, there are magnificient and beneficial lessons to be learned.
In my school, we read it last year, my Freshman year of high school. My teacher told us she felt like some children won't understand it until they get into high school. I agree with her on that, because even as 14-15-16 year olds, some of us had a hard time understanding the book. I think that 6 and 7th graders shouldn't read it. Yes, I understand that it might make them more aware of racism, but at the same time many children won't fully understand what this story is about and how we, society, can use the story to change ourselves and how we act towards others. It does teach many great lessons, but I think you have to be old enough to understand most of it too really make you think.
I agree, 5th and 6th grade can read this book and understand it. It would be most assuredly best if the book was discussed while being read. One of the things I discovered when I attended college in the late 80's and going to school during the day, put me in the classroom with a bunch of fresh out of high school students (I was in my 30's)who had no idea how to employee critical thinking skills. Plus it let's you know has a parent how your child perceives the world around him/her.
Krystal wrote: "I agree with her on that, because even as 14-15-16 year olds, some of us had a hard time understanding the book. I think that 6 and 7th graders shouldn't read it."My thought is: try. It can't hurt. If you struggle with the book, you can always put it down and come back another time. If you decide not to read it, you potentially could miss out on a really good book.
Honestly, it is probably best to have your parent or guardian read the book (or at leas the reviews) to determine if it is appropriate for you.The book contains a few cuss words. But nothing terrible or over the top. And usually the person cussing is reprimanded for his or her foul language.
Not to give any spoilers but the "trial" in the book concerns a man accused of raping a woman. But the subject is handled tastefully. No graphic descriptions.
There is some violence but then again it is not graphic or worse than a 6th or 7th grader has seen.
I hope that you are reading this for pleasure and not by force. I enjoyed the book very much. Even though it is written in dialect and a little hard to get into.
There's lots of language; it's not really appropriate for reading aloud in a class to a bunch of students. But if you just mean reading to yourself, it's absolutely fine. There may be lots of uses of the "n" word, but it's all important to the book, which is one of the most influential ever written.I read it in sixth grade.
Definitely, go for it!but i think you might struggle to follow it a little, i read it at 11 years old, then picked it up again at 17, i must admit that i appreciated it a lot more the second time i read it.
Too many people like to dumb-down kids by not exposing them to anything challenging. Mockingbird is not a difficult novel. Yes, an older reader may understand more of the symbolism and historical context but even a young reader will get much out of the book. I read War and Peace in grade 8 and completed a book report and presentation in front of the class. My teacher was astounded that I was able to get through the book and be able to articulate the plot and themes so well. I've since reread the book and, of course, I understood even more now that I am an adult. Never under estimate a young person.
Absolutely read it. I remember discussing the Holocaust in the fourth grade and my teacher recommended reading "Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl." I didn't fully understand what the Holocaust was really about, but after I read "Anne Frank" I learned much more about it and was able to understand the history around it."To Kill a Mockingbird" is a gateway to understanding socio-economic issues of our historical past--many of which we are still dealing with today. Curiousity should be nurtured and culitvated within our youth. Read away!
Read it as a freshman many many years ago It remains my favorite. I think it is definitely appropriate for jr high level
Donnica wrote: "No book should be too difficult when one has an instructor who can and will put things in proper perspective and assist in working through its menaing for that particular age group...If we had mo..."
I completely agree with Donnica. Kids these days are left to themselves to figure things out. I commend those who take the time to read and listen to their children, regardless of their age.
I also think if we had more younger kids reading books like this one we'd have a better planet.
7703maya wrote: "100% YES!"Oui, certainment. If you've got someone to help you understand it, you'll be fine. I mean, yeah, you get the symbolism when you're older and all that, but I read it three times this summer and I still got a lot from it.
I don't think the maturity of seventh and sixth graders will be able to truly understand the importance of the story.
I think it would be an appropriate book, but it may need some explaining on the racism, When I was in the fifth grade I didn't know that people didn't get along based on skin color, religion, or ethnicity. So that may be a little confusing to some kids. the vocabulary might be a little bit challenging.
I read To Kill A Mockingbird for the first time in 6th grade-it wasn't required (it was in 9th grade) so I read without a history lesson and background, but I understood it just fine. It's one of my all time favorite books and I re-read it often. I think the greatest thing about this book is that it's narrated by Scout and a lot of the messages/lessons she learns can be understood in great depth by someone as young as 6th grade. Another thing I like about the book is that, even though it is fiction, it gives readers an accurate glimpse into what it was like in that time, from the language to the segregation.
We read it aloud to our children when our youngest was 11. As many have already stated, the appropriateness of exposing young people to certain things really depends upon the child in question, but in general I think it's appropriate for that age. Particularly if the child is invested and interested, which it sounds like you are. Ideally, it would be a good one to have an adult who's read it to discuss it with. I'd bet your teacher and/or your school librarian will have read it, or you can always chat here on GR!
How could you not read this book....I ready in 8th grade...but I new the History of the country at the time, so I wasn's shocked. While this book contians lots of historical content that may be appropriate for a Junior or Senior History class...they should be well beyond the level of the book at that time. If you don't know what was happening at the time this book is set i strongly encourage you to ask questions to your parents or teachers. This story and the characters will stay with your for the rest of your life. On the Bucket list of books you must read in your life time this is like a number 5.
I would say hold off from having this book read until high school. The problem with having students read it too early is that they think "I've read it" and are unwilling to read it again when they're older (I have my college students read it)and can really get something out of it.Try Wrinkle In Time instead. Perfect for 6th-7th.
Shelley
http://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.com
It's appropriate but I don't think you'd really catch all of the in depth details of the book, I'd say read it in 7th grade, and then again in 8th and 9th..
I think it is appropriate-for some 6th and 7th graders. In my experience though, they can be quite immature, and this isn't a book you joke about, at least in some portions. Also, there will be many things that, as a 6th or 7th grader will be over your head. You will not catch many things that, as an 8th grader or up may be obvious, or obvious with a little bit of thinking.
Shannon wrote: "I just finished reading it with my sophomore students. They really enjoyed it, as a whole. I read it last year with my 8th grade students. I had to explain a lot more about the parts and pieces ..."you made some really good points about children being bored because they don't know the history and culture and you don't want to turn them off to this great book, nor to reading in general.
This is essential reading for all children, and I think that children who are in 6th or 7th grade should definitely read this book.
Akila wrote: "I want to read the book To kill A Mockingbird,but wasn't sure if it was appropriate.I read reviews on amazon and wasn't sure what to think."
The book is told from the point of view of a young girl. She is a tomboy and has adventures with her brother over a period of about a year. It deals with Southern life in a time when racism was considered the norm. i really enjoyed it. There is a mystery in it too, if you enjoy mysteries. That was what attracted me to the book.
We teach to "Kill a Mockingbird" in year 10 (Australia), it could be taught earlier, depending of maturity. However, we teach a lot of other pieces that are more mature themes at the same time. Such as "Emmett Till" story and also "Dorothy Parks" story. This is because we want them to feel and understand this time. The students really love it and always have lots of questions around all of these pieces. We also study the film "Missippi Burning".
Amy wrote: "Some 6th and 7th graders can handle this book, but the majority really wouldn't get the deeper meanings and implications in this book until they are a bit more mature. So often in schools (I've tau..."I first read TKAM when I was in 2nd grade. I read it again in 6th grade. I read it again quite a few times as an adult. Each time I get something else from the book. Just because a reader might not get every nuance the first time they read it is not a reason to delay reading IMO.
It really depends on how mature the reader is. I know my sister and I were reading books considered only for "adults" when we were in middle school. That's just where our reading level and emotional maturity were. Most of our classmates weren't quite there, and that's okay too. If you want to read To Kill A Mockingbird, then I say give it a try. If you end up having trouble with it for whatever reason, there's nothing wrong with putting the book back on the shelf for a while or asking for help/clarification.
i read it when i was in 6th grade and it was really nothing
Haven't read it in a few years...think I might re read it and watch the movie too.
i read it in 9th grade
I think it is definitely appropriate. However, the language may be a little difficult for those who haven;t fully developed their reading skills. Otherwise, go for it, it's an awesome book!
Yes, 6th/7th graders should read To Kill A Mockingbird. I worry more about 6th/7th graders sitting around watching Reality Shows, being obese, texting in broken English, roaming the streets on their own, etc. The last thing in the world that I worry about when it comes to 6th/7th graders is them reading To Kill A Mockingbird. I am surprised anybody would object.
Mary wrote: "Amy wrote: "Some 6th and 7th graders can handle this book, but the majority really wouldn't get the deeper meanings and implications in this book until they are a bit more mature. So often in schoo..."The problem with teaching to 6th or 7th graders is that it then eliminates the novel being taught to them when they are in high school since schools avoid repetition like that. I would rather have it taught in high school and max out all the elements of the piece than a surface reading in 6th grade. As for personal reading, that is up to the child and family. If a family encourages a younger child to read this, they are probably a very literate family and would probably have meaningful discussions with the book.
Definitely this book is for everybody !
Helaina wrote: "I believe the book cannot be appropriate for 6th or 7th graders simply because the book is very open about everything, but there are definately pros and cons to having this book for 6th or 7th grad..."but doesn't make it a good opportunity for kids to be TAUGHT! just because it isn't used in the same context today as it was back then mades for a discussion that needs to be had
Helaina wrote: "Dee wrote: "Helaina wrote: "I believe the book cannot be appropriate for 6th or 7th graders simply because the book is very open about everything, but there are definately pros and cons to having t..."but that isn't what you said - your first line was that you don't think it is appropriate
a better form of argument if you wanted to say that would have been - there are pros and cons of teaching it to 6th/7th graders and a lot of this will depend on the approach that the teacher uses - and then use the reference to nigger as an example...
and yes, I read this, on my own in grade 7, and didn't need anyone to explain it to me because I knew the history...
I think some people are underestimating sixth and seventh grader's understanding of American history. If a sixth or seventh grader is interested in To Kill A Mockingbird, chances are they will understand the significance of Atticus and the trial in relation to the day and age. In a classroom setting, teachers would most likely touch on this to ensure the students understand.
Of course when To Kill A Mockingbird is studied in high school it won't be looked at in the same way as it was in sixth grade, but I don't see anything wrong with re-reading a novel and discovering something new about it the second time around.
I'm stunned by the number of people saying to wait. You shouldn't talk about segregation until 10th grade? That's 16 years old for most people. I read this when I was 10 and this person is 12 or 13 at this point. There's no need to ignore the world and stick to children's books at that age. It's part of why high school students read at such a ridiculous level now. You go ahead and read that book, and if parts of it confuse you I am fully confident your English teacher would love you going to him/her with questions.
I say 7-8th grade is probably a better age to read this, if you're going to do so before you're made to read it. Just keep in mind that you will very likely be made to read it again in highschool. I'm sure your English teacher in middle school will help where they can but a high school teacher has a curriculum planned around the book and has likely taught it for years, so even their understanding of it will be better.
I think if the interest is there, it should be read, regardless of age. If you don't like it, put it down and come back in a year or two.I think "appropriateness" is a judgment put on us by people who don't want us to learn or who are playing to the lowest common denominator. A teaching board might deem it "inappropriate" for an age range because it's too hard for some in the group, but there will always be some in the same group who are ready for it. There could also be sensitive material they don't want to deal with teaching.
Don't get stuck in the appropriateness box. It stunts learning.
there have been psychological studies that show through the right teaching techniques - that kids of all ages can learn skills that are only assumed to be capable of by older students - Voygotsky's scaffolding theory is one of them - one of the studies I remember was teaching kids how to do persuasive writing - something that is normally done in the grade 5-6 range, but the researchers showed that while not quite as developed as a 5th/6th grader - that students in the 3rd grade could do it as well
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
The Secret Life of Bees (other topics)
To Kill a Mockingbird (other topics)
Books mentioned in this topic
Small Island (other topics)The Secret Life of Bees (other topics)
To Kill a Mockingbird (other topics)
