Last week, I subbed in one class of HS 9th grade English. While I enjoyed learning vocabulary, grammar, and writing and have always loved reading for pleasure, I detest being forced to read, interpret, and tear apart "classic literature" (and have thus not loved most ELA classes starting with 6th grade).
I don't voluntarily take HS English classes but sometimes I'm asked to cover if the school doesn't have enough subs.
This teacher's classes have been reading/dissecting"East of Eden", or "To Kill a Mockingbird". My apologies, if one of these is a favorite of yours, but, I would not read any of these for fun and pleasure.
Many of the Algebra students are also reading one or the other of these books. I commented to one student about TKAM. He said "Yeah, I need to finish this so I can get back to reading something I like."
I said "But it's a 'Classic'". Then I said "I hate 'Classics'."
He laughed and said "At least you're honest.
If I were in charge, I would teach HS English in a very very different way.
vlbrown-mzydt 
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