I don't think I would have much disagreement if I say that reading is a skill that all must have. I taught at the middle school level and many think that the time to learn to read is long past. At that age each student has a different reading level. They have certain skills that are strong and missing or weak in other skills.
I learned how to administer one reading test. Mostly I tested the strategies kids. The strategies group activities taught reading and the teacher wanted to know what areas needed work.
I think that all teachers and subject areas should make an effort to teach reading skills.
The odd kid in my school was a very avid reader and when the teacher wasn't looking they would read. I thought that for language arts if you let a kid read they would learn what was on the course of studies. Now the math teachers didn't like kids reading in their math class and it's true that kids wouldn't learn much math by reading. However , if I ask most adults today to divide fractions they are not able to do it. If I asked most adults to factor trinomials , they would look at me as if they had never heard about them. If I asked about grammar they would have very little idea.
So I'm getting to my point. I had one or two of those kids who wanted to read all the time. I let them.
Now one of these parents with a kid who always read came in for an interview. They were very concerned about this kid reading all the time. Other teachers had complained. I gave them my opinion that the kid would learn just as much from reading as following the class. It so happens that the Dad as our local MLA (Member of the legislature) The Dad bought into this idea. But one look at Mom's face told me that she did not agree. A compromise was reached and I would make sure the kid followed the lesson.
For people who are avid readers life long learning happens for their whole life.
Interesting how you managed to get the parental units to compromise. I read a lot to my son. I was so glad he latched on to the Harry Potter books. He even had me bring the newest edition to Scout Camp Visitor Sunday so he had it as soon as it was out. (After this Mom stood in line at the bookstore for it's midnight release.) I always thought Harry Potter was like a kid's version of Tolkien. Yep, my kid could teach a course about Tolkien now, but he's a veterinarian. Nice job letting those kids read. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteMy kids read Harry Potter too but their Dad didn't read it.
DeleteI loved reading as a kid, I really enjoyed going to the library. I still love to read, my kindle and library app are my best friends lol. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI was a reader but I find it difficult to concentrate these days so not much reading takes place.
DeleteI agree with you! As kids, we loved to read and my mother took us to the library frequently. I can answer many Jeopardy questions by what what I have read! 😁
ReplyDeleteThere many different kinds of readers and material for all those readers.
DeleteI cannot imagine my life without reading. I was a reader from a very young age. Now I am striving to keep my eyesight so I can continue that activity.
ReplyDeleteYou probably read before you started school.
Deleteoh i loved this one
ReplyDeleteas school student i loved reading all the time and it was hard for mom to snatch book from my hand
i once beat most intelligent girls of senior class in reading
i wish technology would have arrived little late so my children could have developed love for reading as their parents
i feel sad that both younger son hardly read but only computer is their thing though eldest one still loves reading
It's hard to compete with all that's on the computer.
DeleteReading is so important, Red. I agree with you. Nowadays, it is also important to recognize fact from fiction when reading! That's caused a lot of trouble because of so much misinformation and disinformation on the Internet. I hope teachers today can teach students to verify facts and triple check the sources they read so they are not fooled by lies.
ReplyDeleteYes, we did try to teach judgement when it came to sorting out the truth.
DeleteI wasn't allowed to read during classes, except if it was assigned by the teacher first, but I did my fair share of reading in study hall and on the long bus rides to and from school. Our school used to have a reading challenge one month of the year where we were supposed to keep track of minutes read. My brother and I were always the top readers in the entire school and our number of individual minutes was always more than the rest of the school combined!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're a life long reader. Reading helps us to make sense of the world around us.
DeleteMy eldest granddaughter is an avid read. In grade 8 now, the class was learning about the periodic table. By grade 3, she had read three books about it. She was excited to be studying about it in school last week though.
ReplyDeleteI identify with this post so much! I was that kid reading in math class, and my teachers used to get so annoyed with me. I remember my 7th Grade math teacher being exasperated, in particular. But you're right -- I think I learned more valuable skills and cultural awareness by reading than by "learning" math I'll never (or barely) use again. I say "learning" in quotation marks because often I remembered it long enough to take the test and then promptly forgot it!
ReplyDeleteI think many people held their nose and learned enough math to pass the test. Now , many old math teachers would disagree with me.
DeleteMy wife is a long time reader starting back when she was around 5. She still reads a lot and is very knowledgeable about lots of things.
ReplyDeleteReading connects many dots. Connecting dots helps make sense of many things.
DeleteI spent many years working with struggling beginning readers and then intermediate age kids. Basic reading skills are so important, the science of reading, but then once they are mastered, comprehension skills and subject content skills instruction should continue all through the grades.
ReplyDeleteYes, reading skills should be taught well beyond elementary grades.
DeleteVery interesting Red. My whole family has a great love of reading, whether it is fiction or nonfiction. I had a great English teacher when I was at school. She encouraged me throughout my time with her. I still think of her fondly.
ReplyDeleteYes you can always learn by reading your whole life!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that two of my three are readers. My son will read but generally, he travels and he stays current in his reading by subscribing to Audible.
ReplyDeleteI was not a big reader as a kid. I had better things to do like sports, girls, and anything outdoors. I became a reader in my 20s when I'd settled down, and I haven't stopped since. But I agree, if a kid wants to read, let 'em.!
ReplyDeleteI believe I could read before I started school. Right now I'm reading a "The Bookshop" a history of the American bookstore.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views on reading. It's something people can do at all ages as long as their eyes still work. I've always been enamoured of reading but oddly enough it didn't translate into reading very many books as a child. I did read, just not that much though I loved libraries, especially when you had to be quiet in them. Nowadays I'm quite an avid reader. It helps me to set a goal for the number of books to read in a year because otherwise I can go long periods without completing a book.
ReplyDeleteThe child who just wants to read rather than following the proscribed school curriculum has a different kind of mindset. Schooling is largely about regimentation and fitting in - urging all children to play by the same rules.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, let them read!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Red.
ReplyDeleteI was one of those kids who read under the desk all the time. I'm not such a reader any more but I still can be if something really grabs my interest
That's the best way to turn out a reader...just get out of the way and let them read!
ReplyDeleteI was probably one of those kids who never stopped reading. I remember in LA when we "had" to read, heaven!
ReplyDeleteWhen I look back I didn't have enough free reading periods. Yes, some of my readers caught it in math for reading. A surprising number of kids read with the book under the desk.
DeleteRed, Interesting topic I hadn’t thought much about. One thing is for sure, you are so right about this: “For people who are avid readers life-long learning happens for their whole life.” John
ReplyDeleteOf course, I agree with you completely. It's funny that the only way I could get my son to read was to get him Sports Illustrated. I'm sure it wasn't the centerfold. However, when he was in the Peace Corps he had a lot of time and no TV or Internet. So he did nothing but read... a LOT!
ReplyDeleteAnd the funny thing is now his two sons are super avid readers. The younger 1st grader has now latched on to Harry Potter because his older 4th grade brother loved it so much. It's pretty darn amazing. I guess it's not like father, like son. Hmmm... Perhaps they take after their mother. LOL!