About High-School Books

• A new semester of high school goes hand-in-hand with a new heap of high-school books. Students usually receive their textbooks during the first few days or weeks of school. These books include heavy textbooks for subjects such as science, math and history, as well as thinner novels for English classes. These are all required readings throughout the semester as assigned by each teacher. Students are responsible for keeping up with readings and for bringing books to class or home for homework as required. Books are usually rented for the school year and returned to school when the semester ends.
  
  

Significance

• Almost every class in high school, besides art and gym, requires some sort of book. These books cover a specific subject parallel to what is discussed in class. For example, in a history class, if the teacher is covering the beginnings of World War II, students will be required to read about the early years of the war prior to coming to class. Such readings prepare students so that they can listen more attentively and know what the teacher is talking about. Most importantly, students can ask questions from the readings which the teacher can answer and make points about.
  
  

How Books Help

• Books are helpful in shaping students' reading, attention and writing skills. Instead of just listening to a teacher speak, students can read about the subject, write about it and think about it. Material is understood differently when read. Reading causes students to concentrate, question and to use their imagination. For example, when it comes to novels or reading books, a student can watch a movie if it is available, but the material won't be grasped as it would be if the student read the book. Reading a book helps paint a personal picture in the mind, rather than watching someone else's interpretation.
  
  

Other Readings

• Sometimes teacher assign readings outside of class or require reading logs. Students are responsible to read a novel of choice, or on a particular subject. This gives them the freedom to choose a book to read which they then might write an essay on or discuss in class. Such a system teaches students to like reading and to make library or bookstore visits regularly. Years later, this pays off in the form of high reading and writing skills, an understanding of hard vocabulary and a knowledge of different literary genres. Above anything else, it turns reading into a pleasurable, mind-strengthening hobby.