[MOSAIC] Question for the group

[Mikons6 at aol.com]

Bill,
     My answer to that question is  two fold.  1.  Reading is a subject at 
school.  They need to pass  tests so the joy of reading a good book "just 
because", is getting lost.   2.  Our kids are just so scheduled.  My daughter is in 
9th grade and  involved in sports.  (And an honor student)  By the time she 
finishes  practices, games and homework, she doesn't have time to read for the 
fun of  it.  Our librarian at school says that the greatest gift that she can 
give  students is free time to come into the library and just read.  I have to  
agree with her.  There are only 24 hours in a day.  I know that this  sounds 
negative.  I'm really proud of my daughter, but occasionally I think  of the 
books that I enjoyed at her age and I know that she'll probably never  read 
them.  It makes me sad.   On a positive note, just keep  exposing your students 
to a variety of literature.  Try tying in novels  with what you're doing in 
class (such as history, science etc.)  Hopefully,  something will get their 
attention.  Another idea could be Junior  novels.  I teach 5th grade and I use them 
to spark interest in books that  they may not otherwise have been interested 
in.   Sorry about the  negative tone.   Good Luck!   Michele