Lisa's Reviews > Oliver Twist

German students would have no trouble with either of those words. Both have very close cognates: Prostituierte and Hure.

Putain!

Here's a conversation that had me grumbling a few days ago. My grandchildren claim they hate reading. Every time I ask them if they want me to read to them they both start complaining "No, anything but that!", type of thing. (They must take after their mother, she never liked one single thing I did either) :-) Anyway, a few days ago my granddaughter told me her favorite class was library and when I asked her how that could be her favorite class when she hates reading she told me because she gets to go on the computer. :-( I learned two things from all this, that libraries now have computers and that going to the library is now a class.

Kim wrote: "Here's a conversation that had me grumbling a few days ago. My grandchildren claim they hate reading. Every time I ask them if they want me to read to them they both start complaining "No, anything..."

Yes, you are right about the library in a way, Kim! We indeed have to teach kids nowadays how to navigate a book - they very rarely do by themselves. It is MUCH scarier and worse than it sounds too - teaching 9th Graders what a glossary, and an index and a caption is, etc. And yes, there are of course computers. But in my library, the computers are strictly for homework and searching for school. And no phones allowed at all. I run complete classes based on teaching to find information in CONTEXT - meaning that they have to check in books what comes before and after a certain art movement for example. The biggest danger of kids relying entirely on the internet for information is the randomness and fragmentarisation, which they are completely oblivious of as long as they can't compare...

·Karen· wrote: "German students would have no trouble with either of those words. Both have very close cognates: Prostituierte and Hure."

The words are similar in Swedish/English as well, but making linguistic connotations is still a dream I have of the perfect future student... ;-)

Lisa, being a teacher myself I dare to contradict. In my eyes it is not the internet, which lacks context. In fact the hyperlinks in the web or side bar of related videos in Youtube make it much easier than in the past to research collateral information. But youngsters do struggle to adapt to the onedimentional structure of a traditional book. Furthermore they lack the attention and effort to turn and scan the pages for relevant information rather than hovering above a hyperlink in Wikipedia or reading the summary on top of the Google list of results. So maybe this is not a contradiction at all, but rather an elaboration of your observation.

Peter wrote: "Lisa, being a teacher myself I dare to contradict. In my eyes it is not the internet, which lacks context. In fact the hyperlinks in the web or side bar of related videos in Youtube make it much ea..."

It is indeed an elaboration, Peter, and I agree with every single observation you make! I just believe that giving up on the kind of deep concontration a book requires (as opposed to the internet quick fix) is problematic on a much larger scale than just the question: to read or not to read printed books. What I notice is that they ask for computers even when they have a printed text (easy to read, maybe 700 words with headings and illustrations) to use. The reason is that they can avoid reading altogether when they have the option to copy and paste text after scimming the headings online. That means they often actually DON'T KNOW what content they themselves produce after reading sources online. When they read a book they have to think and make active choices what to pick for their own production. Also I believe in grit and resilience. When the kids say they are too tired to do something, it's usually a sign they are learning ...

Lisa wrote: "...When the kids say they are too tired to do something, it's usually a sign they are learning ..."

I love this sentence, Lisa, not only as a teacher, but also as a father of a teenager. Furthermore I am glad that we agree - or maybe I should rather be sad as our observations seem to be universal.

Peter wrote: "Lisa wrote: "...When the kids say they are too tired to do something, it's usually a sign they are learning ..."

I love this sentence, Lisa, not only as a teacher, but also as a father of a teenag..."

Yes, it's a global trend, and it is comforting to know other teachers who deal with it all across the globe...

I burst out laughing at this - such a great anecdote.

Fionnuala wrote: "Putain!"

That's way beyond my students' horizon, Fionnuala ;-)

Konstantin wrote: "I burst out laughing at this - such a great anecdote."

Yes, that's the best about working with young people: you always have to rethink your position!

Heh, those fancy words!

Nocturnalux wrote: "Heh, those fancy words!"

It's all a matter of what story they promise to tell...

I'm currently reading this review and it made me laugh. It does make me sad that despite the positive aspects of the internet are ruined by the negative. I was pleasantly surprised that my 21 year old cousin enjoys reading. Thankfully, my sister and brother in-law won't let my nephews be like those kids who spend all their time on the internet. I do wonder if my generation was the last to read books and play outside.

Jackie wrote: "I'm currently reading this review and it made me laugh. It does make me sad that despite the positive aspects of the internet are ruined by the negative. I was pleasantly surprised that my 21 year ..."

I share your concerns, Jackie!

Phew! I'm pleased you enlightened the boy because I didn't know what a prostitute was either, but was afraid to ask! : (
Excellent review, Lisa! : )

p.s. I'm no fan of musicals per se, but I do love Oliver! so much!! Love it!

These days, a kid might think "selling her body" meant blood or kidneys! Anyway, it's good you could clear it up for him - and for Kevin!
;)

Kevin wrote: "Phew! I'm pleased you enlightened the boy because I didn't know what a prostitute was either, but was afraid to ask! : (
Excellent review, Lisa! : )

p.s. I'm no fan of musicals per se, but I do lo..."

Oh, I am glad, Kevin! I rarely get feedback on my pedagogical calling these days! Straight A+ for paying attention!

Cecily wrote: "These days, a kid might think "selling her body" meant blood or kidneys! Anyway, it's good you could clear it up for him - and for Kevin!
;)"

That is very true, Cecily! I remember being terrified at that storyline in an Astrid Lindgren book when I was little: an alcoholic's wife "sold her body" to science to pay for her son's treatment. Much worse in my child head than the prostitutes in Oliver Twist :-/

As a library worker, I can assure you there are still children who enjoy reading. We get a few kids between 8-16 who will come in and pick up books to read-- mostly fantasy books and YA series, but still reading. However, as a former teacher, I am concerned with how lazy students can be regarding finding information on the internet. They'll pick whatever vaguely relates to the topic without checking the validity of the web pages they use.

You know that not all teenagers are like that, right? There are teenagers who really are lethargic, un-alacritous, and just plain bored of their lives. However, there are still teenagers who are vivacious, diligent, and curious! I love Dickens, but I found what you said ("I thought that all teenagers are very well informed these days") was kind of offensive. I'm 12 years old, but that's pretty close to teen years. Listen, I just want you to know that not
all teenagers are ignorant because they are prepubescent!!!!

These erroneous assumptions about the society of teenagers are making me uncomfortable! I know I shouldn't do this, but STOP PROMOTING THE OSTRACISM OF TEENS! ADULTS THEMSELVES TRY TO PROMOTE EQUALITY AND SOLICITUDE! YET, SOME ARE ACTING LIKE HYPOCRITES WHO SHOW OSTENSIBLE SOLICITUDE TOWARDS THE IDEA! I'M USING CAPITAL LETTERS, BECAUSE THIS IS INFURIATING AND VEXATIOUS!!! I'M NOT REPENTANT OF WHAT I'M DOING!!!

Bottle it!

Lisa wrote: "Konstantin wrote: "I burst out laughing at this - such a great anecdote."

Yes, that's the best about working with young people: you always have to rethink your position!"
I must reiterate that these conclusions about teenagers are unethical! I don't know if you're trying to demonstrate spite towards us teens, but everything you said just sets are reputations to be a totally fallacious delineation of the society of teens! Please stop! I'm not trying to sound spiteful myself, but I strongly suggest that you ruminate on the teens who really ARE diligent and dedicated!

Sketchbook wrote: "Bottle it!"
To @Sketchbook: Wait, was that comment meant for me or someone else? If it is, don't you mean that you want me to 'bottle up' all of my sentiments I showed in Comments 22 and 23 and keep it all to myself? I'm sorry, but I just can't do that! If that comment was not meant for me, sorry for the misapprehension!

Emilie wrote: "As a library worker, I can assure you there are still children who enjoy reading. We get a few kids between 8-16 who will come in and pick up books to read-- mostly fantasy books and YA series, but..."
Thank you, Emily, for being cognizant of the fact that not all kids are lethargic and un-alacritous when it comes to reading!

"And before I knew it, I had checked out another copy of it to a student listening in on the conversation."

Did he say 'I will have what she is having'?