A few days ago
beebs

Teachers opinions, please. Re: Robert Cormeir’s “The Chocolate Wars”?

My 12 year old, 7th grade daughter just started her first day of school today, and was given an assignment to write a bio poem, with an example provided by the character of Archie Costello, from The Chocolate Wars. The poem is as follows:

Archie

Bully, Player of mind games, Leader of the Vigils, Controlling

Son of an insurance seller

Lover of self, Power and control, and Chocolate

Who hates football, boxing, and gyms

Who feels that life is ****

Who fears Renault, the Black Marble and the humiliation of probation

Who would like to see the distruction of Room 19, Carter, and Trinity

Costello

The irony was not lost on me, that at the same time I was reviewing my daughter’s homework, I was also signing the acknowledgement of receipt of her school handbook, which clearly states that vulgarity, obscene language, hazing, and threats of violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances. continued:

Top 2 Answers
A few days ago
TeacherLady

Favorite Answer

I really like The Chocolate War, and I see nothing wrong with the poem that was sent home with your daughter. Yes, those things are not allowed in school, but if the teacher was only allowed to choose from books that had activities that were allowed in school, there would be very few choices and the kids would miss out on some awesome literature.

Consider that students would not be able to study Romeo and Juliet or any of Shakespeare’s works, Lord of the Flies, or Charles Dickens. Nearly all popular authors would be rules out, and there wouldn’t be much left; certainly nothing that students would find interesting.

The teacher was not telling students that it was alright to do those things, and the book contains valuable messages for students.

That being said, in our district The Chocolate War is usually considered a high school book. If your daughter is in an advanced class the teacher must think that she is mature enough to handle such themes. If you don’t think she is why don’t you consider changing her to a lower English class where she is less likely to encounter these books and themes?

Part of literature is getting people to open up their minds to new ideas and experiences, and just because a student reads about it doesn’t mean he/she will think it’s okay or go out and do it. I’m sure you’ve raised her better than that.

She is going to be studying topics such as this (and more violent and horrible) in history class, especially when studying wars and the Holocaust.

Literature is often controversial. Life is controversial. So what? Controversy such as this makes life more interesting, helps students grow, and engages her mind. What more can you ask from a book?

0

A few days ago
mizzfroggi
Are you suggesting banning the book?

Why have your kid go to school if you don’t want her to be exposed to things that will make her use her brain? A lot of required literature has themes that certain people might object to, but most are books that all people should read. Which is why they’re on the REQUIRED READING lists.

There is a reason this particular book has been repeatedly identified as an outstanding young adult book. Perhaps you should read it yourself. Parents should keep up with what their kids are reading anyway.

0