THE FLIGHT
OF HUMAN
Reading
is a complex
cognitive process of
interpreting symbols, in
order to construct
or derive meaning. Reading is
so much a
part of our
life. Gods did not give us wings
to fly, they gave us the
ability to read and write in our
times, this is our flight, the freedom of humans, as
Adelaida Nieto said. The most
important resource, that
a reader might
gain, is an awareness of
the manner in
which we use
language. Consequently, the
new generations may
be involved in
lecture to grow
and be aware
of our world.
Probably, some
of you might
determine that reading
is just taken
for granted. Although,
reading is above
all to do
with language. Lecture
may be used
to handle immediate
necessities or to
learn from. On
one hand, reading
for survival is
included in order
to response to
our environment. For
instance, a “stop”
sign for drivers.
On the other
hand, reading for
learning serves as
a means of finding out
information. This works
for extending our
general knowledge of
the world. Learning
something new is
not supposed to
be the only
kind of reading
for learning. Reminding
ourselves about half-know
facts in contemplation
of supporting, consolidating, and
clarifying ideas, takes
place too.
Reading
for its own
sake deals with
pleasure. At this
point, teachers should
be open minded,
by cause of the significant
proportion of our
pupils that may
be lost in
schools. Literature, which
is pretended to
offer enjoyment, is required in
some cases for
examinations. Reading helps to form
part of our
environment. Finding out
answers and making
questions build a
bridge between you and
the world. A
piece of culture
is allowed in
our thoughts, by
the guidance of
reading. The bilingual
society demands the
use of different
languages. If readers
do not read
for pleasure in
their mother tongue
they are very
unlikely to do
so in a
second or foreign
language, as Catherine Wallace
suggested.
Get
students being engaged
in reading might
take into account
several aspects. An
important by-product of
reading for pleasure
is fluency. This
deals with confidence and
motivation. Unless a pupil gains
fluency, the reading
purpose is likely
to be boring
and unmotivated. Motivation and
interest is essential
for our students.
Literature needs to
be appeared as a
exciting subject and not
as a bored one
just to be done
to pass the exams.
Persisting, valuing and
planning develops the dedication
of every student.
Teachers should involve
them in reading
by providing strategies
and creating a
nice reading context,
where children feel
comfortable and inspired.
Here you can
find some resources
to achieve students
read:
Confidence
|
2. Nursery rhymes:
(Here you will find lots of
nursery rhymes, their history and meaning) http://www.rhymes.org.uk/
|
Motivation
and
interest
|
1.
Involve students in
choosing reading materials
for the library,
for example browsing
the book catalogues
and voting on
the titles you
could order. This
will give them
responsibility, make them
feel valued, give
them a sense
of ownership of
the books and
provide you with
up-to-date information on
students likes/ dislikes.
2. Use
reading groups and
pupil librarians to
input to this
process.
3. Give
students awards according
to the amount
of books reading.
Also, they will
need to complete
some questions and
activities from each
book.
|
Dedication
|
1. Older
students helping younger
children read as “reading buddies”
2. publicizing student “recommend
reads”
3. students
talking about their
favorite books in
assembly.
|
Bibliography:
Wallace, C. (1992). Reading. Language teaching.
A scheme for
teacher education. (Pp:
1 - 7).
Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Nieto, A.
(2002). ¿Se le hubieran
quemado las alas a Ícaro
si supiera leer?
Recuperado de http://www.lecturayescritura.com.ar/ponenciadelaida.htm
Alberto.Z | 19 de octubre de 2013, 4:47
Hello Cris,
I must confess that I'm absolutely amazed with your post. To be honest, this is one of those times in which you wish that the text that you are reading would never end, since you are totally involved and engaged by it.
When I was a child, I never felt motivated by reading. Probably because of my teachers never transmit me the pleasure of reading, since always was out of obligation. I realize now how different it could have been everything, if at least one of my teachers, have been able to convey to me what you have reflected in just six hundred words. As far as I’m concerned, this is one of our more challenging missions, among many others, as future teachers. Because nowadays, we have to fight against all those video games, which the only thing they do is to monopolize the attention and interest of the child.
Moreover, the sequencing of ideas you've proposed in the post, and the resources it includes, are highly interesting both from the point of view of promoting reading, and from the perspective of the development of creativity and confidence of the student.
My overall impression is that your post includes relevant information about this topic that in many cases may be difficult to carry out successfully. As well as, it is very well structured and written, and is easy to read. Apart of that, and among all of what you say in the post, I keep the idea of “finding out answers and making questions build a bridge between you and the world”, I really like this idea.
Congratulations Cris, Great post!!!.
Unknown | 19 de octubre de 2013, 10:56
Hi Albert!
First of all, your comment make me feel very pleased. It is great that my post has being useful for you.
I empathize with you in the sense that reading was also for me a boring subject, just to be done to pass the exams. Finishing my readings had been appeared as a hard and demanding activity. I start reading this summer, thankfully to my best friend. She captivated my attention with "El Psicoanalista". I enjoyed this lecture and since this time I have not stopped reading. I recommend you! :)
As future teachers, we need to develop and engage children in reading. The would achive an awareness of the way above all to do with language. Moreover, it helps you to became part of the world, and grow internally.
The resources that are posted can be helpful for us. I would like to know more, so it will be fantastic if everyone gives a suggestion.
Thank you Alberto, and have a nice weekend!!!
Unknown | 20 de octubre de 2013, 7:27
Nuria has posted in her blog about encouraging reading. Have a look at her experiences from Practicum and its interesting suggestions:
http://nuriatheexplorer.blogspot.com.es/2013/10/encouraging-reading-in-children.html
Marta Muñoz | 20 de octubre de 2013, 15:07
Dear Cristina:
I have read your post about reading and I have found you perspective very interesting.
As Alberto says, nowadays it is very difficult to make our students interested in reading as, in our society, there are many technological resources for children’s entertaining. Due to laziness or lack of time parents often abuse from these resources and children end up watching TV, playing computer games... It is obviously easier to become addicted to these games as it involves less mental effort than reading. However, nothing is better than reading as it stimulates children’s imagination, intelligence and creativity.
Although I believe that teachers play a very important role in the task of creating the habit of reading, I believe that it is at home that children learn to love books. Parents need to familiarize children with books from the cot. In doing this, parents play an important role as children are very aware of their parents’ habits. Reading aloud, taking them to the library, giving them books, encouraging them to participate in reading... are different things that parents can do to foster reading. If this task is carried out effectively at home, it would be much easier for teachers to maintain and promote this habit.
From my experience, I can say that reading takes us to the adventure of learning about and discovering new worlds.
Unknown | 21 de octubre de 2013, 12:36
Hi Marta!
Thank you for the support . Your opinion exposed is found captivating and useful. Parents involved in their children’s reading are a positive and convincing idea. Parents serve as a model for our pupils. For this reason, they should performance as a motivating and creative tool.
From the school community, it would be effective to create significant reading workshop. This meeting might be done for the parents. They will learn several aspects and methodologies to construct a nice reading environment for children. Moreover, they will be prepare to engage their pupils in the magic world of reading.
Again Marta, thanks for your assistance in this blog. The idea is great, and I will keep in mind.
Have a nice week,
Cristina