General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Here's what your 10th-graders will be tested on under Common Core: Ovid [View all]enlightenment
(8,830 posts)I suspect that it might be more like half, if that.
I teach college history, so we don't read too many of the classics - but occasionally I'll have them read some shorter stories or excerpts. There is usually a handful who reject them, but I seriously doubt it ruins reading for them.
A friend teaches high school Literature and always includes them. She agrees that there are generally a handful that are unimpressed, but the majority find them interesting. Again, those who don't like them usually do find something else they do like, so the stories aren't ruining reading for them, either.
If kids are never exposed to something, they have no chance to even find out if they might like it and that's doing them a disservice.
Your mileage may vary, of course.