Essay On Kidwatching

Gerald Graff grew up loathing books which is ironic because he majored in English. Graff is an English professor at the University of Illinois and wrote the essay “Disliking Books.” Graff received his PhD in English and American Literature from Stanford University. He feels that his childhood struggle with reading gives him an advantage as a teacher to help his students who struggle in reading.

Summary: As we can see that book handling is a very important skill because it comes in handy. They talk about a few of the skills such as, reading from top to bottom and left to right along with page to page. Aron is one of the kids they are using to observe. They talk about how he uses some skills to help him read. As he reads we can see he really wants to be able to read he sounds out the words and is showing signs of improving.

What can reading do? Can it stop the use of drugs. Can it stop alcoholism; can it stop a murder; can it stop people wandering around on the streets at night? Reading is not an option in the narrator’s mind at first. He rarely go to school, spends most of his early life on drug deal, alcohol and serves in prison.

Disliking Books Summary In Gerald Graff’s work “Disliking Books” the author explains how he is surprised that he would become a celebrated writer and literary critic because he formerly despised reading. Graff, who grew up in a tough working class Chicago neighborhood, grew up thinking reading was boring and irrelevant. Graff’s parents brought him modern adventure books and classics that have traditionally interested young men, but it didn’t work. Since he was listless and lacked ambition Graff “chose” liberal arts and majored in English when he started college.

“The kidsREAD classes are kept to small groups of less than 30 children, with volunteers managing and facilitating the session” (Law, Chia, 2015). The classes are held on the weekends once a week. The leaders will read a few stories to the whole group, then it breaks apart into smaller groups to do literacy activities. This program would be need based and students who really needed the instruction would get it. This program provides a way to get students to read outside of school and makes it more enjoyable.

(Cambria and Guthrie’s, 2010) research indicates that in order to motivate students to read we need to take in consideration their interest, dedication and confidence. “An interested student reads because he enjoys it; a dedicated student reads because he believes it is important, and a confident student reads because he can do it. ”(Cambria and Guthrie,

Many struggling readers in middle school are disengaged from reading. In addition to low achievement, these students can have low motivation for reading. Many factors contribute to disengagement in middle school. Reading instruction is often disconnected from content, making reading tedious. Textbooks are formidable, and students are expected to respond to text with formal criticism or outlining rather than personal reactions.

We have heard our whole lives that reading is fundamental and in our society reading is one of the most important skills that we learn in school. Although reading skills are essential to succeed in today’s society, reading is not treated as the necessary skill that it should be. Teens are not reading like they used to. Today's society and technology has encouraged more superficial reading or even no reading at all. The digital revolution has made everything more convenient for the children of today's society.

After gaining access to a library card and continuously checking out books from the library, Wright’s love for reading was renewed, for he gained “nothing less than a sense of life itself” from reading these books (Wright 250). Additionally, it evoked a “new hunger” within him, one that was no longer physical, but emotional (Wright 250). By comparing his love for reading to the words “life” and “hunger,” he proves how strong his growing desire to read and engage with books is becoming, a desire that is as crucial to living as food. Furthermore, by falling back in love with reading, Wright displays how it is possible to find personal success even when the path along the way may not be clear. Similarly, Rodriguez finds himself in a similar situation to Wright, for he initially did not enjoy reading; however, his increased engagement with texts taught him to find it “a pleasurable activity” (Rodriguez 66).

Home is Where the Learning Starts Children start to love reading at a young age, but when reading textbooks the love for reading slowly starts to deteriorate. Most kids hate to read in school because it’s nothing they are truly interested in when in all reality children need to understand how important reading is. In the essay “My Literacy History” by Dedrick Skinner and “The Lonely Good Company of Books” by Richard Rodriguez he explains how he did not know why reading was so important, but as he grew older he understood its values. I also developed a love for books at young age when my mom began to read to me, but as I grew up I felt reading was a struggle because I didn’t understand its values like Rodriguez.

The quote above from “Improving Adolescent Literacy: Content Area Strategies at Work” by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, expresses how observing

My Literacy Narrative I was never truly an avid reader when I was younger. I was the oldest of five siblings and left in charge of taking care of my younger brothers and sister. I was more prone to spending time outside than reading a book. Of course, I did find myself enjoying a good mystery novel, but playing ball would always trump even a good book.

Binge Watching Netflix Have you ever been so stressed before that you just want to rip your hair out? If so then keep reading. I will tell you my secret of staying cool, calm, and collected.

What has happened to the world around us? How have we let our children become so sheltered that they have no knowledge of how to act or think for themselves? Could our overbearing presence be suffocating our children ability to grow? Most all of parents want the best for their children. Their happiness, safety, and learning are some of the top priorities for a parent.

As I reflect on my hatred of reading it is kind of weird because my mother use to read to me every night when I was younger and I liked it. I don’t know when or why I began to dislike reading. I can remember during my junior year of high school, I wanted to try out for varsity football team. I was truly dedicated to making the football team, knowing I had to bring my grades up to be eligible to play. I had to complete one major assignment which was to read four chapters of a Greek mythology.