Tuesday, October 4, 2011

YES, It's Just That Easy!


This past we visited the public library. The library is filled with so many resources for parents and teachers as well as children. Many libraries offer special events for children such as a story hour. Children and their families are welcome to come and enjoy the festivities. At our public library, books are projected on a screen so that all children can see them and enjoy the story. There are many activities throughout the short program to keep the young children entertained such as music and interactive story telling where children can help tell the story through art. This is a wonderful experience for children because it opens up new opportunities for developing literacy. There are other specialized events that are more geared toward individual age groups that would be beneficial for all learners. The library is a great place for children to explore and chose books that interest them instead have to read what was chosen for them in the classroom. This helps children become active engaged learners because they have chance to develop the love of reading on their own.

Renowned author James Patterson provided CNN with some insight on getting children to read. He states, "The best way to get kids reading more is to give them books that they'll gobble up -- and that will make them ask for another. Yes, it's that simple. 1 + 1 = 2. Kids say the No. 1 reason they don't read more is that they can't find books they like. Freedom of choice is a key to getting them motivated and excited. Vampire sagas, comics, manga, books of sports statistics -- terrific! -- as long as kids are reading. Should they read on e-tablets? Sure, why not? How about rereading a book? Definitely. And don't tell them a book is too hard or too easy. "Great Expectations"? Absolutely. "Finnegans Wake"? Well, maybe not. And remember, books can be borrowed free at libraries." 

Getting children to read is simple. Let them choose books that interest them. Let your children get out there and READ and EXPLORE literature!

5 comments:

  1. The enthusiasm you have in this post is practically jumping out of the page! I love it! It reminds me that as educators, if we are presenting a blog to the parents of the children in our classroom, we want to find a way to accurately depict our enthusiasm for their children. Their kids surely have energy, so they want to see energy as well.
    I really liked that you tied in the CNN .article. I very much agree that children should be encouraged to find that one "hook" book that reels them in

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  2. Very good post. I like how you provide a reference for anyone who might not initially think that children want the opportunity to read. Children tend to be very curious. They want to explore and see what there is to experience. I agree with you. If children are given the opportunity, they will make good use of what the library has to offer.

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  3. Freedom of choice with books is so important! You are so right that children will be more likely to like to read if they can choose books they like and books that interest them. I really liked that you incorporated the CNN documentary that you saw. It is always great to see how other things will tie into our lessons for the week!

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  4. Many parents may be oblivious to the resources that are available at the public library. Offering them postings like this about the different opportunities they could have by taking their children to the library could open doors to parents who may feel at a loss for low cost activities to do with their children.

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  5. Finding books that children want to read is no easy task. It requires observation from the teacher and knowing what the student needs to get out of his reading experience. It is important to give equal respect to what a student wants to read. Working with a librarian would also be great to find books that still follow a student's interest but also are substantial and a good educational choice.

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