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The Book Whisperer
Sep. 8th, 2011 05:11 pmThey have absolutely nothing for me to do at work, which sounds like fun but is actually miserable. I sit at my desk and stare into space, like I'm back in third grade, except this time there isn't even a teacher to ignore, and also I feel bad about doing nothing because they're paying me.
And it's going to be like this all next week, too, because we don't test the kids till the twentieth. My mind may crack under the strain.
***
Today at work I read The Book Whisperer, which (I justify it to myself) is at least reading related. The author argues that the best way to up reading scores is to have kids read, read, read, no book reports, no pages of pointless comprehension questions, just pick out a book - any book they like! - and read.
Two thoughts.
1. I always thought, back when I was eleven, that I would learn twice as much in half the time if my teachers would just be quiet and let me read all day. Finally: corroborative evidence! I feel so vindicated.
2. This book was recommended to me by one of the program instructors, and I'm not sure why. It's a fun book, but the freewheeling program it outlines is basically the opposite of what we do.
In this case, I think the difference is because the program outlined in the book is for older kids who already have basic reading skills, whereas I'm working with younger kids and you couldn't turn an illiterate kindergartner loose on a bookshelf and expect her to teach herself to read.
But my instructor also recommended another book, about how reading aloud to kids will teach them not only how to read but, more importantly, how to LOVE BOOKS, unlike soulless school reading instruction of the kind I will be aiding and abetting the school in providing, which crushes children's souls.
It's like she wants me to have a crisis of conscience about whether my scripted interventions are going to give my students an irreparable hatred of the written word.
Backing up just a bit. I do think the second book is a little bit too rosy-colored glasses. My parents read to me every night, and I couldn't read worth a darn until I'd slogged through six months of first grade. Some kids are simply going to need to do some scut work before they catch on.
But the idea of all this spontaneity nevertheless plays into the Romantic view of childhood, and appeals to the anarchic side of my temperament, and sings siren songs to my soul. It's very dispiriting.
And it's going to be like this all next week, too, because we don't test the kids till the twentieth. My mind may crack under the strain.
***
Today at work I read The Book Whisperer, which (I justify it to myself) is at least reading related. The author argues that the best way to up reading scores is to have kids read, read, read, no book reports, no pages of pointless comprehension questions, just pick out a book - any book they like! - and read.
Two thoughts.
1. I always thought, back when I was eleven, that I would learn twice as much in half the time if my teachers would just be quiet and let me read all day. Finally: corroborative evidence! I feel so vindicated.
2. This book was recommended to me by one of the program instructors, and I'm not sure why. It's a fun book, but the freewheeling program it outlines is basically the opposite of what we do.
In this case, I think the difference is because the program outlined in the book is for older kids who already have basic reading skills, whereas I'm working with younger kids and you couldn't turn an illiterate kindergartner loose on a bookshelf and expect her to teach herself to read.
But my instructor also recommended another book, about how reading aloud to kids will teach them not only how to read but, more importantly, how to LOVE BOOKS, unlike soulless school reading instruction of the kind I will be aiding and abetting the school in providing, which crushes children's souls.
It's like she wants me to have a crisis of conscience about whether my scripted interventions are going to give my students an irreparable hatred of the written word.
Backing up just a bit. I do think the second book is a little bit too rosy-colored glasses. My parents read to me every night, and I couldn't read worth a darn until I'd slogged through six months of first grade. Some kids are simply going to need to do some scut work before they catch on.
But the idea of all this spontaneity nevertheless plays into the Romantic view of childhood, and appeals to the anarchic side of my temperament, and sings siren songs to my soul. It's very dispiriting.
