Literacy in Schools -- Schools must encourage all reading

Let's look at the graphic novel or comic genre. The simple sparse text makes it easy to learn words. I looked at comics before I could read and tried to figure out the stories. I soon learned a few words. I did learn how to read with the Dick and Jane series at school. Then I practiced on comics at home. Good old Donald Duck! The combination of pictures and text constructed meaning. Because comics are easy to read it builds speed, confidence and comprehension.

Besides imposing required reading on students, teachers also require book reports-two counts against the pleasure factor. How many children have learned to read grudgingly rather than eagerly because of school policies?

My husband still speaks of a teacher who read to her class every day. What did she read? Les Misérables. That was an introduction of a classic in a pleasurable way. All teachers should read to their classes.

Did you know that there are now fewer books on the school shelves? Why? Governments invest more in computers and that leaves fewer dollars for books. Perhaps you could do something about this problem.

Children do more school research by the internet than by library-by the computer rather than by books. This I think limits the scope of their findings. The child must initiate the key words or use those given by the teacher rather than look at a collection of related books on a library shelf. The answer pops up readily enough and gives no incentive to look further. AND-the answers are not always reliable. When I use the internet for research I try to check "iffy" information in good old books as well.

Libraries and schools should provide plenty of choices for all children in order to encourage all reading.

So, how do you choose appropriately for children?

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