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 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 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 _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
