Readicide

I truly found this book by Kelly Gallagher so eye-opening and helpful. I have heard over and over that reading is being killed by schools, but this book really put it into perspective for me. Reading is such an important tool and essential learning strategy for kids and adults so it is so important that we are teaching this to students at a young age. I especially thought it was interesting on the section where it talks about if Cell phones cause cancer. I think we are all aware that almost every adolescent these days carries a cell phone, so to see factual information about the harm this is causing students was fascinating. Since technology is so accessible these days to everyone, it is no wonder that these devices are taking the light and attention away from reading. I also liked the point Gallagher made when he says "lousy classic" is an oxymoron. There is no such thing. Required books such as To Kill A Mockingbird are required because they bring so much valuable, cultured literacy to students and hold so much foundational knowledge that is essential we teach our students now and forever. Gallagher talks about how students may label these readings as "boring", but if we can just teach them in a fun way and get kids engaged, we can get the value of these books across to them and help them actually learn what these books are meant to teach. We also need to be teaching our students the concept and value of Active reading. Teaching them how not to just read the words but understand what is going on. That way they can not only absorb the context of the book but actually enjoy it and engage and remember what is being read. This is up the value of their reading and the time they spend on it.