Please read
Please read. Not just this post, but in general: Please read.
I'm a site coordinator for the local children's literacy center. I've spent the last two weeks struggling to match far too few—yet much appreciated—volunteer reading tutors with far too many students in overwhelming, unbelievable need.
Perhaps there wouldn't be such a need, may not be so many children lagging behind in the very most basic, very most important of skills, if more people would please be a model...if more people would please take the lead...if more people would please read.
Please read with your grandchildren, children, nieces, nephews, with any child in need.
Please read to youngsters and with youngsters, no matter their age.
Please read story books, chapter books, comics, graphic novels. Please read novels, poems, riddles, jokes.
Please read road signs and maps and plaques on the places you go.
Please read recipes, cereal boxes, soda cans, milk cartons. Please read chip bags, price tags and labels throughout the grocery store, throughout any store.
Please read television shows—turn the closed-captioning on then read. Together.
Please read movies, too—subtitled movies!
Please read calendars, and websites, and text messages. Please read gift cards, bulletin boards, ads, and restaurant menus.
Please read game directions, game boards, game controllers. Please read instructions for building, instructions for creating, instructions for taking apart.
Please read newspapers, magazines, e-mail, real mail, junk mail, mailboxes.
Please read programs...from school, from plays, from church, from sporting events.
Please read rosters, billboards, scoreboards.
Please read. Anything. Everything. Together.
Please read.
Today's question:
Other than this post, what have you most recently read, by yourself or with another?
Friday, September 16, 2011
Reader Comments (14)
Fabulous post! I totally concur. Right now I'm reading a book about Singapore and its rise from Third World to First since 1965. Oh, it's not for pleasure, but rather school. I am enjoying it immensely, though. Shocker....didn't think I would. LOL
The last thing I read with a child was a long time ago, with my grandson. It was a book I had given him that I enjoyed in the 4th grade.
Preaching to the choir here! I was the kid whose mother said, "Put down that book and go outside to play!" I read all your suggested material and I read every single day unless I am really sick. I really do so not understand those who say "I can't read during the day because I feel so guilty." Given the choice of reading versus cleaning the toilets, I'll take reading every time. (And sometimes it isn't a choice and I do clean the toilets.)
The last thing I read was a board book, which I read to my son before bed last night. He makes me happy because he likes to take books to bed with him and "read" until he falls asleep.
The most recent novel I've read was "The Help", loved it. This past week I've been reading every-
thing I could find on the computer about certain dietary supplements (CoQ10, Magnesium, and
Riboflavin/VitaminB2) looking for ENERGY. Now, I'm reading knitting instructions for a baby bag and cap for my seventh great-grandchild due in December.
Wonderful post and I couldn't agree more! I am currently reading 2 of the books that I won from you! Cowboy and Wills is a book all parents should read -- it is the story of an autistic boy and it will really make you understand the struggles parents of autistic children deal with every minute of every day! I had it so easy! Also reading Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown! Great book!
Amara is an avid reader. She is the child of 2 avid readers and all of her grandparents are avid readers. One of the things we love doing together is reading her blog! I also make her be Navigator and read the Google map instructions to me when we go some place new.
I love to read! I know i passed down that love to my children as we made frequent trips to the library as they were growing up and they belongs to RIF ( Reading is Fundamental) at the library and earned free books. Books were and still are my favorite gifts to give children and my grandsons. My daughter-in-law brings my grandsons to story time at the library and they have a large collection of books they love to look at.
I read the New York Times every morning after breakfast. I argue and disagree with it occasionally, cut articles out to share frequently, marvel at the level of writing and the fact that there is much to learn about the world and science and technology and business, and use it to find activities in the city, new restaurants and recipes, etc.
I'm still a big library supporter - I visit it once a week!
Ditto...I love to read!
5 minutes ago I just finished reading 'Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones' to my Granddaughter. It's the book she picked out of the pile we keep in our house. Actually, trying to teach her to read a few words now.
Now it's onto a card game of 'Go Fish'...I don't think there are any words though...just princesses:)
Great post! I love to read and agree how important it is! Tweeting too...hopefully more will READ!
Great post, Glad I found your blog :) Have a great weekend!
I read constantly - mostly with my Kindle. When one mystery is finished I download another book. Clive Cussler, WEB Griffin, JA Jance, and right now I am reading Praying For Strangers by River Jordan and Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson. I love reading and it seems I always have. Come visit my blog - I haven't done a book review yet, but I will most likely do several. I have so many I want to share. Thank you! Growing Old With Grace http://growing-old-with-grace.blogspot.com/
Amen!! Reading is so good for everyone. I was reading aloud just a little bit ago from my new Pearl Jam book to anyone who would listen. I have a feeling before I'm done reading that book my family is going to be sick of me reading aloud from it, hahaha!
I always have a book that I am reading....right now an Alison Weir book about Elizabeth I. My children and grandchildren are all readers. A few years ago I offered my oldest grandson $5 to read the first 10 pages of the first Harry Potter book, and of course now he has read them all.
Your efforts at helping those who can't read are such a blessing to them and others. To think you may affect the lives of tomorrow's leaders with your program gives such joy to many I'm sure. I am thankful for people like you that devote their time and energy in helping others in any way or capacity. You will surely be blessed for your good works with them all. Now for the answer to your question.... The last time I read to someone else was yesterday when I read to my grandchildren. A love for reading has been instilled in them since they were big enough to sit on a lap as a baby of about four to five months. Reading for myself would be from the Bible when I read my daily devotion scriptures. Reading is a way to gain knowledge and when we become knowledgable we are empowered to make better choices in our lives. Thanks for being one of the few who care enough to give in that area of making a difference for others.
Alas we hear too many people say "I just don't have time to read." I've been guilty of that, too. But i make sure reading is a central part of our family life.