There was a lot to think about as I read but my thoughts didn't exactly make it easy for me to organize my notes into a coherent passage. I was mainly intrigued by students' shift in approach when it came to reading. The way almost all students gradually lost their sense of passion for reading made it seem like the current school system slowly siphons the passion and enthusiasm students once had for reading.
It was very interesting to see that my general experiences with reading and writing were incredibly similar to that of the students in the article. I had authors or a series that I loved to read, but my mother was always insisting that I find something "educational" to read instead. My lack of interest in reading "educational" material was something I usually blamed myself or reminded myself that I needed to read more or write more. I always felt that there was something more I could have done as I went through school. It was intriguing to read that I wasn't the only one who seemed to gradually lose interest in extracurricular reading as I progressed though school.
Although, on one note, students (or Evans) considered magazines such as Time to fit under the category of "popcorn trash" reading. I get that Time magazine isn't exactly academic text, but it certainly has to hold more educational value than Seventeen or People magazine. It made me wonder if students who were in high school or above expected reading to be the kind of fact-gathering reading they were used to. Just because a magazine is fun to read can't diminish its value. I've been subscribed to Time magazine for nearly two years now. I see Time magazine's take on current political events, people, and technology were interesting perspectives to consider.
In some ways, the way I read is similar to the way I eat. When I was younger, I would only eat foods that I liked. Now that I have matured somewhat, I eat foods that I know my body will need even if I don't like how it tastes. I knew something had changed when I didn't hesitate to eat broccoli. That approach mostly transfers over to my reading list. I am aware that I need to read certain texts to succeed in school and in my future career. In high school, if something was boring, I typically refused to read it. I'm glad to know
Hi Ray, I liked your metaphor comparing your eating habits to reading literacy. I am wondering how you feel you were able to make the transition from refusing to read something boring to accepting it and being able to read it? I personally have a hard time not finishing a reading once I start. Even if it is a boring or difficult read I just try to muscle through it. What are your thoughts on how we can get our students to read things they find boring or uninteresting? And I agree with you about Time magazine, but I also think any magazine would be good to bring into the class because if it sparks the students interest and encourages them to read more than I would want to find a way to add it into my lessons.
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