What is it about reading in this school? A co-teacher who has not been working here long asked me today why the students in this school (7-12) hate reading. Why do they? I notice very few (less than 10%) of the students I have in class carrying a book or actually reading one. Students check out to the library during homeroom or study hall not to read, but to talk, look at a magazine or do homework in a quiet place. Less that half (or dare I say a third) of the students who are given a reading assignment actually do it. Students are even reluctant to read information on a worksheet or to read directions on a test. What is going on? Reading is a life skill that one always has to know how to do. It is a skill that needs to be practiced to retain, just like hitting a volleyball or passing a football.
I am anxious to see how many people show up at the October book club on Tuesday (the 28th at 8:15 P.M. in the library basement) to discuss Into the Wild. It will probably be Judd, Aaron and I because no one else bothered to read the book. What a disappointment!!
17 comments:
yea that true people should accept people who they are they want you to be the same as them to every one here think if your dif you are gay and and people make joke about other people being gay. ya i dont it sometimes and mosly it just a joke but they take it to far
Christian, I think you clicked on the wrong topic. Haha. I really haven't figured out why students hate reading.. have previous high school students have had the same problem? I think some of it has to deal with how bombarded students are with homework of today.
Maybe students feel that they will be outcast by their fellow classmates for enjoying as they say, a "tedious job".
The book club has been a great experience so far, because it involves me in reading. I find it hard to put in time to read for enjoyment at home when I have other things to do. With the book club, I have a set goal date to finish a book; so it will be completed. Otherwise, I will feel ashamed of not completing my goals. I think it's one of those OCD things haha.
I agree with aaron about the topic mess up.
Why did you have to use us as examples? It gets really annoying.
Students don't want to waste time reading and sitting around. For the most part, kids who read have more chance to do better in English.
This idea of Mrs. Hansen is genious because other kids will know that many are doing the exact same things that they didn't want to do. And Christian It would help you and you might be better with spelling and grammer and reading directions and titles.
Yes I agree the ability to read is a very important skill in life...you read every day; it's inevitable.
But as an extrememly stressed out, busy student, I can understand why other high school students would say they don't like to read. In order to understand this statement, you have to look at it from a different perspective. There are probably a ton of students who really do like reading books...it's just that reading a book takes awhile...especially if you read slowly (like me). When I read a book, I want to be able to enjoy it. I don't like it when teachers tell me I have to read something and write a report about it by a certain time. I want to be able to fully comprehend every part of the book I'm reading and have as much time as I want to actually read it. (it's also nice to be able to choose what you want to read as well)
The main problem is that students are forced to read so much already, many of them become tired and just want to simply take a break from reading. It's not that students don't like books, we just don't have a very good opportunity (in most cases) to actually enjoy reading on our own.
...oh and by the way, I would actually like to join the book club, but I don't have time...so I do like reading, but I just don't have the time...
Well, I love reading, but with all the homework that SOME classes have, I don't have time to read anymore. I have a stack of book on my desk just waiting for me to read (and yes, the book club book is one of them. I didn't have time to read it).
I think that a lotta people think that learning OTHER subjects are more important. I mean, once you're literate, you're literate FOR LIFE. But ya know, math is always a surprise, as is science and histroy. If you don't know those 3 main subjects, your future is basically empty; although to me, reading is far more important than anything else.
Have fun at the meeting (keep in mind, Mrs. Hansen, that some of us were to busy with honor and AP classes to take time to read it...)
Judd, before you yell at Christopher about his spelling and GRAMMAR, maybe you should make sure that YOUR spelling and GRAMMAR is GRAMMATICALLY correct.
Get it?
The lack of reading is not necessarily a new problem in school, but it is now a larger problem affecting more students. We see higher percentages of students who don't read books, but they do read other materials (magazines, class assignments, manuals, etc.) so they are reading, just not for pleasure.
Why is pleasure reading falling to the way side? I see this slide as a result of the American need to speed, rush and do more in less time. Books take too long to read for some and so they don't. It is easier to read Cliff notes or summaries and ask others. Is there a problem with that? Yes!!!
Reading a novel or non-fiction book helps to relieve stress, to improve reading speed and comprehension and to increase vocabulary more that magazines because novels are written at varying reading levels. Most magazines are written at the 4th or 5th grade level, whereas novels can range from 6th- 12th or beyond.
Is finding time to read the problem? Make time- it is important. Readind is a life skill that never goes away.
I think that our generation has lost attention span compared to previous generations. Some students would be alright reading a book for an hour, but others would put it down after ten minutes to do something more enjoyable.
Well when I find time (if I ever do) I might read a book. But unless I want to fail all of my classes, I'm not going to make time to read a novel just because. I have a priority list, and for me, reading a novel is not at the top of it...and maybe that's the way our generation is...times have changed. Sad to say, but true. And while reading books can be very enjoyable, it is not the most important thing in life. Yes it's important, but so is passing your classes so you can get scholarships for college.
And yes I made the choice to take all of the AP and honors classes so I can graduate on the "distinguished path", therefore, I'm also making the decision to take advantage of my four hours available for sleep and not read a novel for fun...sorry Mrs. Hansen.
Okay, so I'm not really understanding why you get four hours of sleep every night, becca, when I'm managing 6-7 hours a sleep per night. I mean, we're both in APUSH and Honor Eng/Chem (and I'm sure pre-calc doesn't have that much homework), so why are you getting less sleep? I go to sleep at rougly 11, 12ish almost everynight, wake up at anywhere from 5:30-6:30 in the morning EVERY DAY.
Maybe the problem IS you, Becca. You're involved in WAYYYY too much stuff. As I understand that you don't think you should have to quit something because you've done it for so long, I do think you need to prioritize better. Is dance really going to be a big part of your future? Do you really need APUSH for your degree? Probably not. And even though I do feel bad for writing this, I really think you need to hear it firsthand. It isn't the classes that are dragging you down...it's just you.
Sure, I'm not involved in anything, but when I get home, I normally have to clean, eat dinner, do dishes, fold laundry, and do all that jazz, so by the time I actually sit down, it's after 7. And then if band is that night, I don't even GO home! Which means I"m stuck doing all of my homework AFTER pep band, which isn't always fun. And yet, I'm finding time for sleep...maybe you should too.
Yes I'm busy, but sometimes I don't start homework until 10 or 11 at night because of dance (I have it every day at different times at night...and a lot of my classes are in Aberdeen), piano, band, etc. And yes I made the choice to do all of those things because I want to do them. I want the chance at becoming validictorian or salutitorian; I want to graduate with high honors from the Cavelle Dance Studio because they are things I have had planned since I was 5. I set goals and I intend to accomplish them. And I prioritize as well as I can...I get all of my work done don't I? So if prioritizing correctly to get my work done means not having free time to read a book, I guess that's a price I'm willing to pay.
I personally love to read. But I don't like to read the, so I call them, boring assignments we are forced to read. I am a person that could pick up a good novel and won't put it down until 3 in the morning because I need to find outmwhat happens. But the assignments and lessons just aren't my cup of tea.
Whenever I hear a student say they hate to read, I am baffled. It is a way to get away from everything and go to another place. I wish the kids that say they hate to read, would open a good book, and actually see what awaits them.
But Becca, I see where your coming from. I go to volleyball after school, come home and eat and do homework, and by the time I am in bed, I'm almost too tired. I am striving to read Into the Wild and so I try and read a chapter or two a night.
I agree with Emma. I like reading, I just don't have enough time.
so.. when you are having fun with friends and talking or just hanging out... have you ever just decided to go home and do nothing and sit with a book for several hours. I do that sometimes because it relaxes me at the end of the day. Get a specified reading time at the end of the day and just follow it as much as possible. Books can teach you new words, or ways you think of things. Think about it.
My schedule is chaotic and i have almost no time for stuff because I think I should hang with friends but at about 10 I pull out a book and read for a half hour and if i can't i make it up later. so i can understand when you are busy, but what do you do during your freetime?
haha yea my computer was being weird
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