[MOSAIC] Question for the group

[thomas]

And  again, by writing actual letters back and forth about their reading,
the kids and I became in a way more equal in sharing our love of,
frustration with, questions about books.  This is Nancy Atwell's approach
which I used in desperation one year.  It changed EVERYTHING for me.  I
think we cannot ignore the social nature of reading... Of sharing book talk.
It's different even than having them keep their lists and write a sentence
or two.  They really love to "talk" to their teacher.  And reading and
replying to their letters (I did it every other week - each week did get to
be a lot time wise - was one of my favorite favorite parts of teaching.
They had a fit if I didn't get their letters back to them.  Read Atwell (for
sure) or read my old article in the Reading Teacher.
Sally  


On 10/5/06 4:51 AM, "RICHARD THEXTON" <kelli-n-rick at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> I must agree and what a sad, sad situation!  This is exactly why I have HUGE
> issues with computer programs that award points for answering 5 multiple
> choice questions after a child has read a book, then the child is allow to
> "buy" items with those points.  (no names mentioned)  As a matter of fact, The
> National Association of the Arts issued a warning a few years ago that we
> through these programs, we are creating a generation of students who do not
> enjoy reading.  Teachers has forced the extrinsic value of reading, beginning
> in 1st grade,  to the point that children never get the opportunity to simply
> love to read, to internalize the story, to find the INTRINSIC value of
> reading!  
>   Teachers, PLEASE stop placing so much stock in those points!  Please offer
> other after reading activities that are FUN and truly reflect how the child
> interacted with the text.  (for some great ideas, see When Kids Can't Read,
> What Teachers Can Do, by Kyleen Beers)
>    Show your students how much YOU enjoy reading.  Offer up a selection of
> "wide reading".  What do your students have available to choose to read?  Are
> there comic books, magazines, newspapers, in addition to the good literature?
> Validate that reading magazines is real reading!
>   I agree that a recommended reading list each semester or quarter needs to be
> provided for students to expose them to wide variety of genres.  I even use my
> example that until I read Angels and Demons, I didn't know how much I like
> those types of books.  Now I"m hooked!  I've completely changed the books I
> chose when looking for something good to read.
>   We do have to work hard to remove that "reading is a subject at school"
> mentality and show students the enjoyment of reading in order to create a life
> long lover of reading!
>   Kelli
>   
> 
> William Roberts <Krober15 at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>   I have a concern that I've noticed and was wondering if anyone else has
> noticed anything similar....on paper, my 8th graders this year look good.
> Reading levels are up, fluency is up, scores are up....but for the first
> time in many years, they ALL say they hate to read. They see no purpose to
> reading. They only read because they have to read. In previous years, many
> liked reading and would bring books on the first day of school...this year,
> they all said they hated reading. I have worked my butt off to change their
> minds and am beginning to see a change in attitudes after 6 weeks, but I was
> wondering if anyone else is seeing this problem:
> We have kids who are better readers, but they aren't life-long readers.
> What's the point if they aren't going to read AFTER school is over? Latest
> research says that most students never read another book after high
> school...are we creating a nation of better readers by sacrificing the joy
> of reading?
> 
> Bill
> 
> 
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