I love to read. Reading opens up my mind to things I would not otherwise know about. Reading brings me joy. Reading both enlightens and challenges my thinking.
I teach reading to second graders. I like to think I am teaching them to appreciate reading the way I do. But am I?
In this era of "research-based" reading programs with their "non-negotiable" components I wonder what message I am really teaching my students. My students are required to read the selection in our reading program's reader and they are tested on that selection each week. They are required to take the STAR test, to select library books that are "on their level", and then take the accompanying AR test. Students who take the most AR tests are rewarded by the librarian.
Little time is left for them to explore books just for enjoyment. Little time is left for them to peruse books and abandon them if they aren't interested. Little time is left for them to try out books that they are highly interested in that may be a challenge. Little time is left for me to share my joy and love of reading with my students.
So are my students learning that reading can open up their world to unexpected possibilities? Or are they learning that reading is something you do so you can fulfill their teacher/school's requirements? Are they learning that reading is a race to see who can read the most books?
Recently I read an article by Tom Newkirk entitled Reading is Not a Race.(You can read this article at http://tinyurl.com/6tqgbe6). He ended the article with these words "The goal of reading instruction should not be to rush this process, not to put students on the clock, but to say in every way possible — “This is not a race. Take your time. Pay attention. Touch the words and tell me how they touch you."
It's time to free the students!
