TEXTBOOK REFLECTION

Why do we share literature with kids?

 Because it is fun!

·       We are more apt to engage in things that we perceive to be fun

·       We look at the cover of a book first because we are attracted to the covers. And it looks like a fun book or a book that we are interested in; then we are more inclined to read it.

Because it aids in the acquisition of language and language development

·       Reading 20 minutes a day will help a child gain 1,800,000 words per year; which puts them in the 90^th percentile in standardized tests.

·       Kids accumulate the largest growth of vocabulary from birth to 5 years of age.

o   Website 1000booksbeforekindergarten.org helps to boost the potential by reading to your kids.

Because it develops Empathy

·       Ex.  “I know exactly how you feel”; “I have experienced that”

o   Some experiences are through books because we feel the emotions that the characters are going through in literature.

Because it supports lifelong readers

·       Unconscious delight

o   Associate with series readers or serial readers

§  Series readers is where you read books that are part of a series

·       Ex. Harry Potter

·       Twilight

§  Serial Readers is where you read books by the same author or genre

·       All Books by Stephen King

·       All Mystery Novels

·       Reading Autobiographical

o   Reading about books that deal with characters like us

o   There needs to be diversity in books

·       Reading for Vicarious Experiences

o   Window to the World

o   Readers can experience consequences vicariously through the characters instead of experiencing it themselves.

o   Experience a different culture, interest or sport

·       Read for Philosophical Speculation

o   Books will cover ethical issues such as religion, or abortion

o   Helps answer the question “Why am I this way?”

o   Examples of Ordinary Everyday life

·       Read for Aesthetic reasons

·       For the sheer pleasure and joy of reading

Because Literature develops the Imagination

·       Literature makes you ask the question “What would happen if?”

Because it can transmit culture

·       We need to share books of different cultures on a regular basis and not just during certain holidays or appreciation months. 

Reflection:  It is interesting to see the many positive points that reading can have.  I was already aware of how it can help increase one's vocabulary; but was surprised to learn that it teaches us to have more empathy.  As a teacher, I can see that my students that are more inclined to read for fun are show more empathy than my students that do not read as much or as often.  I plan to use this information by sharing it with my co-workers once school starts in August to encourage them to get their students to read more.