We have many new books at the library. n fact there are several hundred new books on shelves just waiting to be read.
There is an abundance of information on the power of reading. Yes, reading improves a young person's vocabulary, can help improve a student's test scores, and make them a better student overall. Yet, I believe the two most important reasons are:
* To not feel alone in the world. Young people often feel that they are the only ones in the world experiencing certain feelings or having a hard time. When a teen reads a story that resonates with him/her it can alleviate the anxiety and hopelessness. It is like hearing that song that just seems so perfect for the moment.
* To learn to empathize. Students can read about other people and experiences and enter their shoes, to see life through a different lense. This can help young people relate better to their peers and others in their communities.
This is from well-known educational researcher and philosopher Steven Krashen:
•
is effective in increasing and improving
reading
•
is pleasurable
•
results in superior general knowledge
•
improves spelling, writing, grammar
•
helps ELL learners dramatically
•
Improves scores on reading tests and other
subject matter tests
•
Results in better reading comprehension,
writing style, and increased vocabulary
•
Develops better thinkers
•
Works when students truly have choice, when
the program is consistent and continued, and
when teachers are also reading when students
are reading
* Vocabulary is best developed through
real encounters with the words in
context, over time, and in small doses
•
Acquiring a word requires acquiring all
of its subtle and complex qualities-hard
to teach with direct instruction
•
Time spent teaching vocabulary lists
better spent doing free voluntary
reading—more likely to result in word
acquisition.
What we can do:
•
Individual classroom SSR
•
Have a variety of books available for low-level
readers—comics, series books, etc.
•
Publicize suggested reading lists
•
Survey kids about their reading interests
•
Librarian put out list of kids favorite books and their
interests
•
Establish a reading-as-reward system
•
Encourage reading aloud in class
•
Read aloud to Special Ed and ELL students
•
Talk about reading with colleagues and students
What I am going to do is to review one nonfiction and one fiction book for the week and share that with you. You can read the book and suggest the book to a student. You can also encourage the student to go to the library and check out the book. Let's all read together to get our kids reading.
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