Let's begin with the problem:
"...too many students are choosing not to read. As a result they are less informed, less articulate, and I believe less understanding of others" (14).
I agree, and immediately connected this to the work of Rudine Sims Bishop. Please click the following link to a short video in which she discusses the importance of reading diverse books:
Additionally, you may want to check out We Need Diverse Books.
Jago explains, "Fictional characters are invaluable facilitators of dialogue concerning delicate topics" (115). She specifically mentions the importance of reading books like The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. I would recommend exploring any or all of the books on the Project LIT Community reading list.
"...the importance of working toward the goal of ensuring every child grows up to be an able and avid reader cannot be overstated" (25).
At the end of the first quarter, I surveyed my students at length about their attitudes toward reading. Needless to say, they don't all love it. I'm constantly inundated with, "all these books are trash," or "there's nothing to read in here." Further conversations have revealed that many were not given time to read books that they chose in earlier grades. Reading was mostly done for the purpose of answering questions. Is it any wonder that many students see reading as a chore, or something just "for school"?
So educators, what are we going to DO to change these negative perceptions of reading?
"While a well-stocked classroom library and a passionate reader-teacher are critical ingredients of a vibrant reading program, they are not enough. You need to create a culture of reading within your classroom" (28).
I believe that the culture of reading needs to be present within the entire school. Our staff publicly posts what we are reading, and have been challenged by one of our Library Media Specialists to read 1000 books during the school year. Our wonderful art teacher has made a visual representation of our progress and placed it near the cafeteria for everyone to see. But I don't believe what we're doing is enough. We need to TALK about our reading with students. I came back from a doctor's appointment and told my students about the book I finished while I was in the waiting room. One student asked, "Wait, you mean you really read, like FOR REAL?" I enthusiastically replied, "YES!" Our kids need to understand that reading is a LIFE skill.
As I continue to reflect on this book it may lead to further writing, but I'm going to end this post with what I consider to be my personal call to action.
"We should be concerned about the large number of students who don’t read every bit as much as we worry about those who can’t" (10).
At the end of the first quarter, I surveyed my students at length about their attitudes toward reading. Needless to say, they don't all love it. I'm constantly inundated with, "all these books are trash," or "there's nothing to read in here." Further conversations have revealed that many were not given time to read books that they chose in earlier grades. Reading was mostly done for the purpose of answering questions. Is it any wonder that many students see reading as a chore, or something just "for school"?
So educators, what are we going to DO to change these negative perceptions of reading?
"While a well-stocked classroom library and a passionate reader-teacher are critical ingredients of a vibrant reading program, they are not enough. You need to create a culture of reading within your classroom" (28).
I believe that the culture of reading needs to be present within the entire school. Our staff publicly posts what we are reading, and have been challenged by one of our Library Media Specialists to read 1000 books during the school year. Our wonderful art teacher has made a visual representation of our progress and placed it near the cafeteria for everyone to see. But I don't believe what we're doing is enough. We need to TALK about our reading with students. I came back from a doctor's appointment and told my students about the book I finished while I was in the waiting room. One student asked, "Wait, you mean you really read, like FOR REAL?" I enthusiastically replied, "YES!" Our kids need to understand that reading is a LIFE skill.
As I continue to reflect on this book it may lead to further writing, but I'm going to end this post with what I consider to be my personal call to action.
"We should be concerned about the large number of students who don’t read every bit as much as we worry about those who can’t" (10).
No comments:
Post a Comment