My Favorite Stories, Articles, Essays and Speeches to Teach Students

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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Ben Jatos, GoLocalPDX MINDSETTER™

There is this idea that English teachers have their classes spend 95% of their time reading novels but that is changing. With technology and social media and the Internet and about a dozen other things, our children’s attention spans are diminishing and as a result, English teachers have modified curriculum and we now spend a bit more time with short stories, feature articles, essays, and speeches. That isn’t to say that the novel has been abandoned in the English classroom, but rather that it has been forced to share the stage with other modes of writing. 

In my 21 years of teaching English I have discovered a long list of readings I enjoy teaching my students. What makes a piece of writing good for the classroom? I have a couple questions I ask myself when deciding: First, will the students want to read it? This is priority number one for me because if the piece doesn’t engage the students, they aren’t going to get anything out of it. Second, is there something in the piece that demonstrates literary merit? This is also a big one. There are a lot of things students have to learn in a school year about literature, and everything they read in a classroom needs to address some of them. Third, is there something in the piece that they could relate to or learn from? Reading something inspiring can be powerful to students.

My favorite novel is To Kill a Mockingbird but I hated teaching it because no matter how I presented it, the students just couldn’t love the book as much as I did. I took it personally and haven’t taught it in a few years. I haven’t taught sophomores in a while (it’s a sophomore book) but I’m not sure I could torture myself even if I were. Two books I would absolutely love to teach are Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin and Glaciers by Alexis Smith. They’re both Portland authors and their books would be an absolute joy to teach. 

I’ve compiled a brief list of stories, feature articles, essays, and speeches I have used with excellent results in the past. 

Short Stories

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
A classic that shocks students every year. Best example of foreshadowing I’ve ever found.
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
Another classic. Gothic story about the Misfit and an unlucky family demonstrates excellent characterization and dialogue.
Stories of the Hunt by Alex Mindt
Fairly recent story about a father/son relationship. Kids can relate to this on many levels. And so can adults.
The Stranger by Walter Dean Myers
Drug abuse and a great point of view narration. Fairly horrifying and powerful story. Some fantastic discussions have come after reading this.
The Last Silver Button by Mandy Alyssa Brown
This was most of my students’ favorite story last year. Tells a great story with one of the worst mothers in history. 
French Lessons by Valentin Rasputin
Older story about poverty and a caring teacher. Nice opportunity for critical thinking. 

Feature Articles

The Girl in the Window by Lane DeGregory
An all-time favorite (and Pulitzer winner) about a feral child and her rescue.
School of Shock by Jennifer Gonnerman
Unbelievably true story about a school that uses electric shock when a student misbehaves. The school is still in operation. 
The Suicide Catcher by Michael Paterniti
Emotional article about a man in China who patrols a bridge in an effort to prevent them from jumping off.
Animals by Chris Jones
Impressive reporting on the immediate aftermath of a man’s suicide. He had a zoo with lions, tigers, etc... that all escaped into the small town in Ohio afterwards.
Someone to Lean on by Gary Smith
A man in South Carolina finds a home in a local high school. Basis for the movie Radio. 
Lost in the Waves by Justin Heckert
A dad and his 12 year old autistic son are swept out to sea. In order to save them both, the father has to leave his son alone and swim for help. 

Essays

Joyas Volardoras by Brian Doyle
This essay contains the most beautiful paragraph I have ever read. Might be my favorite piece of writing ever.
My Heart was Still Beating by Chloe Caldwell
Raw, honest essay about babysitting and so much more. 
Trigger Warning by Stephanie Georgopulos
Inspiration anti-suicide essay by someone who tried. Should be required reading for students. 
A Windstorm in the Forests by John Muir
Written in 1894 by the founder of the Audubon Society. Wonderful naturalist imagery.
My First Conk by Malcolm X
An essay about being true to one’s self. 
The Blood Runs like a River through My Dreams by Nasdijj
Heartbreaking story about a man’s loss. Heart. Breaking. 

Speeches

Kenyon College Commencement Address by David Foster Wallace
I wish my mind could articulate the things that Wallace wrote about. Some of my students say that this speech changed their lives. 
The Perils of Indifference by Elie Wiesel
Holocaust survivor Wiesel talks to President Clinton and small audience. If you listen closely you can feel the anger he still feels toward America for not intervening sooner. 
Duty, Honor, Country by General Douglas MacArthur
Powerful patriotism. 
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.
Viewed as the best speech of all-time for good reasons.
The Mexican-American and the Church by Cesar Chavez
One of my favorite endings ever. Such a forceful man.
Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech by William Faulkner
A speech for writers about freedom and fear. Strong.

Ben Jatos is in his 21st year of teaching secondary English. His opinions are his own and in no way represent the views of his school district. He is passionate about his family, the Portland Trail Blazers, the writing of Raymond Carver, and educating young people. For more of his opinions and reviews of literature for the classroom, check out his blog at www.benjatos.com.

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