02
Apr
2013

Why Do I Make You Read?

categories: Mrs. McGriff

 

I’m taking part in the weekly Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by Ruth and Stacey over at Two Writing Teachers, where teachers write and share each Tuesday. Join in yourself or head over to check out what’s happening with other slices. If you’re taking part in the SOL, leave a link to your post. I’d love to read it.

 

Today in class as we finished with independent reading and were getting ready to continue with our read-aloud, one of my students asked, “Why do you teach reading so much instead of language?”  He insisted he didn’t mean to hate on me, and I wasn’t at all insulted.  I thought he deserved an answer.

It’s not the first time I’ve been asked this question, though it always surprises me.  I usually feel like I give reading the short end of my classes.  After shocking students on the first day of school by challenging them to read 40 books, I do give them 10-15 minute to read in class. Reading is almost the only homework for class, and I even ask them to read over breaks.  I never feel like I give reading enough class time.  We spend time every day with a daily grammar practice.  Most of the rest of class time is spent writing or blogging (more writing).

Why do I insist that my students read and read so much?  The short answer that I gave my student in class is that reading gives you more benefit than anything else you could do.  Reading not only makes you a better reader, it also improves your language and writing.  When you read, you see how words are spelled and begin to recognize correct spellings withh all its idosyncracies.  When you read, you see how good writers use language to craft sentences.  When you read, you become a better writer as well.

There are also many other things I hope my students gain from reading this year:

  • I hope my students discover that books can shine a light on their own lives and reassures them that they are not alone in whatever joys and trials they face.
  • I hope my students discover that books can open vistas to entire worlds they didn’t even know existed–worlds that disappeared long ago, that travel across the globe, that imagine possibilities only dreamed of right now, that are filled with magic and intrigue and danger.
  • I hope my students discover the joy and power of words to change their reality and even the world.
  • I hope my students discover that reading–and reading well–can protect them from cheated or taken advantage of.
  • I hope my students discover that reading can provide a temporary escape from the immediate world and give them resources to deal with their world.
  • I hope my students discover that reading can give them more understanding and compassion for people who are different from them.
  • I hope my students discover that reading can allow them to learn anything they want about anything at all.  The possibilities are endless.

15 Comments on Why Do I Make You Read?

  1. Carol
    April 2, 2013 at 11:40 pm (11 years ago)

    Love, love, love this list! Perfect!

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 3, 2013 at 6:38 am (11 years ago)

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Shannon Clark
    April 2, 2013 at 10:41 pm (11 years ago)

    In our school by the 6th grade LOTS of students have come to hate reading. I mean HATE. It’s so sad! I teach 5/6 grade history this year and have required them to read 6 historical fiction OR nonfiction history books for the year. Some of them have become fascinated with the Holocaust, American Revolution, and the Civil War. I think more so than if I had not exposed them to such good literature on it. I do know that I failed somewhat in keeping it alive in the classroom like I should have-book talking, showing book trailers, etc. Hoping to do better in that next year. However, next year I may be teaching all subjects including reading, and I AM READY FOR THE CHALLENGE! 🙂

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 3, 2013 at 6:38 am (11 years ago)

      I love it when content area teachers include reading as part of their class. Have you read any of Steve Sheinkin’s nonfiction (The Notorious Benedict Arnold, Bomb, or Lincoon’s Grave Robbers)? Talk about bringing history to life. They are amazing.

      Reply
      • Shannon Clark
        April 3, 2013 at 8:36 pm (11 years ago)

        No, I haven’t delved into too much nonfiction at this point, but will take a look at them!

        Shannon

        Reply
        • Mrs. McGriff
          April 3, 2013 at 8:40 pm (11 years ago)

          I’m not a big nonfiction fan, but I love these books. They read like crime or suspense novels. I love, too, that he used to write history textbooks and now says that he is trying to make up for past crimes of boredom. I think he succeeds! Check out my review of LINCOLN’S GRAVE ROBBERS above.

          Reply
          • Shannon Clark
            April 3, 2013 at 8:41 pm (11 years ago)

            HA! I “might” forgive him then. 🙂

  3. Jaana
    April 2, 2013 at 10:06 pm (11 years ago)

    Your list is great! We made reading goals for all my ESL students this quarter. Some of the students are really close in making their goals. This is exciting.

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 3, 2013 at 6:36 am (11 years ago)

      Yea for your students! Mine get so excited when they meet the 40 book challenge. Most of them thought it was impossible.

      Reply
  4. Andrea Payan
    April 2, 2013 at 9:25 pm (11 years ago)

    I love this list. I hope my students read for all of these reasons also. If you haven’t read Reading Reasons by Kelly Gallagher, I highly recommend it also.

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 2, 2013 at 9:29 pm (11 years ago)

      I love Reading Reasons! They are great lessons to share with my students.

      Reply
  5. Melissa
    April 2, 2013 at 9:15 pm (11 years ago)

    I agree that reading is a very important skill. I ask my ESL students read 7 books in a semester on the first day of class, and they look at me like I am crazy. Some of them tell me that they haven’t even read one book in their native language let alone read 7! They do. They learn that reading is one necessary assignment that they must do each and every day if they want to master English.

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 2, 2013 at 9:24 pm (11 years ago)

      Reading makes such a difference with my ESL students, too. It’s amazing to see their progress with reading and English through the year.

      Reply
  6. elsie
    April 2, 2013 at 8:51 pm (11 years ago)

    I hope your students discover all that reading can do for them. I think they have a fighting chance when they have a teacher who has such hopes for her students. Read on!

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 2, 2013 at 9:21 pm (11 years ago)

      Thanks, Elsie! I try, and some of them are starting to discover reading is not as bad as they first thought.

      Reply

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