Last
Literacy Tip of the School Year:
Reasons to Read
Dear Sedgwick
Colleagues,
One part of the
literacy equation that we often miss is the fact
that our students who are not successful do not
embrace and value learning the way we do. Alfred
Tatum in his book
Teaching Reading
to Black Adolescent Males
(Stenhouse 2005)
writes:
Many
young black males surrender their life chances
before they come to believe there are options
other than
failure. If this happens, it is difficult to
convince them that such things as reading
fluently, making inferences, improving vocabulary,
and writing well matter. These literacy goals
have to
be embedded in texts that mean something to these
young men. By the time black male
student
reach middle school and high school, they want to
know how improved literacy will benefit
them...It is not enough to tell them 'I am going to
teach you how to comprehend text, read
fluently, increase your vocabulary, and become
better writers' without helping them
see
how those things can improve their lives."
Kelly Gallagher,
in his book
Reading Reasons
provides mini-lessons for middle and high school
students to help them understand why reading is
important. The lessons help students to understand
that:
-
Reading is rewarding
-
Reading builds a mature vocabulary
-
Reading makes you a better writer
-
Reading is hard and "hard" is necessary
-
Reading makes you smarter
-
Reading prepares you for the world of work
-
reading well is financially rewarding
-
Reading opens the doors to college and beyond
-
Reading arms you against oppression
Reading
Reasons
, (Stenhouse 2003) - I highly recommend this book
for your summer professional reading!
Good luck with the sprint to the finish ~ I hope you
pass many peaceful and satisfying hours this summer
in the company of great books!
Catherine
