“You LIKE Reading”? Is Reading for Pleasure Obsolete?

The other day I was teaching an economics lesson on Supply and Demand.
The students had to write a list of 4 things they like to do when they are home.
I modeled the ist with a list of my own, and I started with reading. (Which I really shouldn’t have because the lesson was about getting paid to read, so… but that’s how much I love to read.)

One of the students stated increduously, “You LIKE to read?”
I replied, “Yes, that is part of how I got here, haviing this job,” or something like that.
He said, “That’s not what I mean. You just LIKE to read?”
I said, “Do you mean for pleasure?” Yes, I do, and I’m mad that I don’t get to do it as much as I would like because of work.”
At this point, he just laughed and shook his head.

Many students don’t read for pleasure. Many adults don’t read for pleasure.
Why?
video games
Youtube
phones
lack of diversity in books
books are not present in the home or classroom
school has sucked the joy of out of reading

So, what should we do to get our kids reading for pleasure?…

READ MORE…

Originally published on Blogger “Diary of a Public School Teacher!”

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Participating in Global Read Aloud 2014! Why I’ve Done This 5 Times!

For those who don’t know, Global Read Aloud is when students and teachers all over the world, literally, read a book together for 6 weeks. It started small and has become huge, due to the hard work and original idea of Pernille Ripp. And of course, all the other teachers involved in putting this together.

I am going to make a confession.

I am not really in it for the connections. Gasp!

I’m sorry, but it’s true.

Do I make connections? Yes.

Do I enjoy the connections I make? Yes.

Am I connecting this year? Yes.

But that’s not what it’s about for me.READ MORE…

Why Do I Have to TEACH Reading?

I watched my kids today after we came in from Recess and loved what I saw.They were sprawled all over the room. Some were in the Sponge Bob duct taped “used to be my sons'”video chairs. Some sat on the fluffy pink and aqua bean bags I purchased in Five Below. (They were on sale.:)) Others grabbed the carpet strips I begged asked my local Home Depot for last year.

They were reading. READ MORE