Lori I applaud you for bringing to light the fact that people use literacy differently in their lives and all of them, all of them, are legitimate. My husband also is mechanically inclined and can read directions for doing and making just about anything. Most people would turn their eyes away from this type of reading because there is much inferring that goes on as one reads directions, and as educators we know inferring is a very difficult skill to teach and develop.
I spend oodles of hours reading on a computer, on the internet, through list serves by reading real life responses to real life educational instructional problems. I know many people feel spending as much time as I do on the computer is a waste of time. (Many people comment and have told me I need an intervention. hahahaha) I just laugh and explain that I love to read on a computer because the overwhelming help of text features a computer offer stimulates my motivation to read more. I know they would not think I needed an intervention if I were reading a novel every evening or during the day at work. I feel this is a common misconception even among adults. As educators we need to foster reading and literacy in any way we can to our students and the adults we meet. I so agree with you, we need to find things for our students to read, in whatever form we can. We should present choices of literature in many forms to build their interests in reading and to help them find forms they enjoy reading. Our students will grow to have different jobs and interests and as educators we should help them develop literacy skills in their lives through many different mediums. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping me solidify mine. Michele RI CIW [EMAIL PROTECTED] Literacy Coordinator/Coach Grades 5-8 & Kindergarten Teacher -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lori Labrum Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 7:28 PM To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Listserv Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Question for the group I agree with Renee. One thing I have been thinking the past few years is why do we try to fit everyone into the same enjoyments? Some students are not readers, some are not mathematicians, some are not musicians or artists. I know reading is important and everyone uses it all the time, but my husband is a wonderful person and I can't tell you the last time he sat down and read a novel. He reads directions for hanging light fixtures, or repairing toilets, or whatever. He is more mechanically minded and would rather work with his hands. Not all people do everything, and they can survive without reading and discussing a novel. It is my job as a teacher to find what area a student excels in and help them gain skills in all areas, not just push my love onto them. I have a masters degree in reading and love to teach math and music. I am not critizing anyone for their zeal of reading, I love to read as well. But it isn't the only thing in the world. Lori in Utah _______________________________________________ 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.
