Classics in the Classroom: Designing Accessible Literature Lessons

Reading the classics isn't easy. Students often balk at the difficult syntax, unfamiliar settings, and descriptive passages. Length alone keeps some books out of the curriculum. For a teacher to persist - sometimes coaxing, sometimes driving - requires an act of will. In Classics in the Classroom Carol Jago provides practical ideas for making these challenging texts come alive for contemporary students.

Continuing in the tradition of her popular book With Rigor for All, Jago argues that all students, not just those enrolled in honors classes, deserve to read great literature. To make this happen requires artfully crafted lessons that address specific textual challenges. In Classics in the Classroom Jago shares her lesson plans and materials for teaching:

• vocabulary
• character study
• story grammar
• literary elements
• metaphorical thinking

Jago also offers practical wisdom for helping all students learn and enjoy great literature. Simply assigning books is not enough. Teachers need an instructional plan that makes difficult texts accessible.