Teachers-Book spoiling?

[sarahswim]

I need help. I teach 6th grade; it's almost the end of the year. We are reading a novel that I read with my class every year at this point. The kids love it, it's a great story, they are totally engaged even though it's the end of the school year, blah blah. Well, as I just sent them out to recess, one of my girls came up and said-"Joe & Jack said that the main character dies at the end!" I played it off with her and said, "well, that's crazy! How would they know?!"...all the while fuming about it.
So I grab Joe & Jack and sure enough, they looked ahead. I asked how many people they told, and of course they said- "Just one!".. except it isn't the girl who told me. So word is obviously getting around, and it's a small class to begin with.

What do I do? I'm guessing by the time they come back from recess everyone will know. Grrrr! I'm so freaking angry.
For the record, the novel is Freak the Mighty and we're only about 1/3 of the way through it.

[wambam]

LOL. I wouldn't worry about it.

[sarahswim]

May 6, 2016 10:00:20 GMT -5 tators said:

Well everyone knows the ending of Romeo and Juliet and we still read it. The end isn't the whole point of reading. I would just say, you'll have to wait and see!

Good point. I just feel like they'll be less engaged but you're right. Thanks.

[nsl]

I get really irritated when my students do this, especially when it's somebody who's just trying to be a little shit rather than someone who accidentally spills details. I have yet to figure out a way of stopping the former from happening, but the latter can usually be staved off with a talk at the beginning of each novel unit about how important it is not to spoil the plot if you read ahead.

[joy]

I'd sigh and say "Hey, that's life."

Stories being spoiled by others is a lifetime problem. I'd probably say something like "Hey guys - it's cool to read ahead, but don't spoil the ending for others who didn't, okay?"

[sandyapples]

I think I would be excited that they are so engaged with the book that they are talking about it at recess.

[zarapipe]

I read the last few pages of a book often when I want to know what happens at the end of a book and then go back and finish it.

I'd let it go.

[lovebeingmama]

I wouldn't worry much about it. I also wouldn't dwell on it much. Maybe just make it a "teachable moment" and talk about not spoiling endings for people in general.

[lo]

Bridge to Terabithia? This happened when i taught 6th and I think I just threatened something horrible if anyone spoiled it, lol.

[lo]

May 6, 2016 11:28:14 GMT -5 lo said:

Bridge to Terabithia? This happened when i taught 6th and I think I just threatened something horrible if anyone spoiled it, lol.

Edit: oh I just what book it was. Haven't read it but sounds similar to the ending of BTT!

[faith194]

Having taught Of Mice and Men for over 8 years, I know that book gets spoiled every year by a repeater blatantly in class(or in the hallway by an upper classman). I was furious the first few time, but really, the lead up to the end is so important to understanding why the ending happened, that it really isn't spoiled after all. Plus, with Sparknotes, I just know it will happen every year.

I like the analogy to R&J. Shakespeare tells us in the first fourteen lines the whole plot, but it is the intricate conflicts and story lines that make it engaging.

I wouldn't bat an eye.

[kaybee85]

I always start the unit with a mini speech that I know many of then will read ahead, and I certainly won't say they can't because I know I can't keep then from doing it, but please don't ruin it for classmates. Definitely annoying, but, of course, as others have said, it's great they're talking about it.

[cleo29]

May 6, 2016 10:41:02 GMT -5 zarapipe said:

I read the last few pages of a book often when I want to know what happens at the end of a book and then go back and finish it.

I'd let it go.

I do this too and I always think of Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally. lol

[game blouses]

Well, if they all know the ending, you could do a lesson on making predictions: How will he die? What will happen to the other characters?

[mcsangel2]

May 6, 2016 14:49:20 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

May 6, 2016 10:41:02 GMT -5 zarapipe said:

I read the last few pages of a book often when I want to know what happens at the end of a book and then go back and finish it.

I'd let it go.

I do this too and I always think of Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally. lol

"That, my friend, is a dark side."

[themysteriouswife]

Adults can't keep their mouths shut about endings of books or shows. You can't really do anything about it. I'd be happy the kids are talking about class content.