Saturday 22 November 2014

A Teacherly Ramble Part 3 - Reading

READING, you either love it or hate it! That's my experience with students but that's because of the way they view this skill. For those of you who love them, keep reading you may find something new to do. For those of you who hate it, read on for just a little. Persevere please and I will try to engage you!

If this skill is given a purpose, other than 'Do your home work!' then it becomes a means to an end not just a chore. So how can you go about this?
 
Get in the right frame of mind.

I love reading!!!!
No exaggeration but why??

Infinite facts, and knowledge.
Laze about on rainy days with a good book!
On Line there are free books and stories at the touch of a button!
Vocabulary builder. Everyone (even me!) improves their vocabulary by reading.
Escapism; books take you out of this world!
Romance, sci-fi, horror, humour, biography - there is something for everyone!
Eating; if you can't read a recipe you can't make yummy foods so well!
Adventure, danger, excitement, suspense - in fact, every life experience.
Do it anywhere!(I have a reading app on my phone & even read in the bank queue!)
Instant access - no waiting around.
New horizons. I've travelled around the world and beyond in a book!!
Good for you and your rep. No parent* or teacher will tell you off for reading a book!


*Matilda's dad doesn't
think much of reading!

Follow these links for some great fiction suitable for tastes!
Daily Science Fiction
Every Day Fiction
Good Reads (for reviews of books)
Smashwords (Check the title you choose is free!)
Worthy of Publishing
Gutenburg's Children's Bookshelf

If you want something more akin to classroom reading try these!
Reading quizzes and games on Line
The British Council Stories and Poems


There are hundreds of other cyber libraries out there. If you have a favourite let me know!

I'll leave you with some words from one of my favourite authors, Roald Dahl,
“I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.”  
Happy reading!

Miss!