The students sat eyeing their reading teacher suspiciously. This was the strangest class they'd ever been in, and it was only day two. This course seemed to be something they'd never experienced before, and they didn't know whether to embrace it or be too cool for it.

"Welcome back to class, everyone. I've read over your autobiographies about how you learn. They were really insightful and will help me shape this class into a place where you can really learn and grow in terms of reading and thinking (Lesley, 2011). Before we start our class meeting about what we should read this semester, I want to tell you a story. When I'm done, I want you to tell me what you noticed about the story and our meeting topic." 

Once there was a king who was very controlling. He wanted everyone to do just what he said- especially when it came to reading and learning. "These are the books that I command you to read! If you don't read them and learn everything, I will throw you into the dungeon of a thousand tortures!" 

His people were afraid, so they did their best to obey him. 

For years, the people obeyed their king. Sadly, as time continued people became bored with the king's books (Lesley, 2011). The people knew they had to do something because if they couldn't prove they were learning, they'd be thrown in the dungeon of a thousand tortures. 

     Once, a traveler tried to read a new book in order to learn and help the people, but the king's guard found him and threw him in the dungeon. Now the people were really in trouble. They didn't know what to do and began to resign themselves to their fate of not being able to learn and to the dungeon.  

Then a brave knight from a faraway kingdom came to the town. She had heard of their tyrant king, and she had come to save the people. The townspeople weren't sure, but they were willing to give her a try. What else did they have to lose? They listened to her plan and began to feel hopeful. First, she needed to get to know them and their interests. Then, she would have them work together to solve the problem (Toppel, 2015).