Incorporating Literary Lenses

One of the most interesting things I’ve done as a college student is learn and analyze books, movies, and life through theoretical lenses. I don’t know why we wait until college to teach students these theories. I think that high school students should being learning them. I think one way of implement these theoretical approaches it to ground students together (3 or 4 students), assign them a poem or short story, and give them a lens to interpret it through—just like we did in class on Wednesday. Then, each group can explain their interpretation of the text to the class so everyone can see how each lens yields a unique interpretation. Also, instead of simple book reports, I can have my students view at their home reading through a critical lens. Students can pick the book and the theory. I think critical theory can make the English class more relevant.