Let's March into Reading!

In March, schools all over America celebrate reading. ThRead Across America week is to motivate children to read and emphasize the importance of literacy in student achievement. By encouraging our students to read, we are building successful lifelong readers. Studies have illustrated that kids who are motivated and spend more time with books reading have higher success in school. Although reading is encouraged every day of the year, Read Across America week is a great time to reteach the importance of reading and why we should be readers. 

Read Across America was created to get kids excited about reading. The idea behind this celebration is to create the same sense of enthusiasm for reading as kids do for sports or toys. It's time to show how fun reading can be. We need to read our Phonics Decoding book, Anthology, or Reading Writing Workshop book each week in class. I know, at times, reading can become a task. Reading can be difficult for some students, and that challenge can cause them to not enjoy reading as much as others. Although it's essential that all students are given the guidance and encouragement they need to work on their reading skills, it's also important to teach the reasons why reading is necessary for everyday life. So I'm talking about three things here- reading to improve skills, reading for enjoyment, and reading for necessity. I teach proper reading skills daily, so this month, I want to focus on explaining why reading for pleasure and necessity is so crucial to my student's   students' futures.

Why is reading so important?

During March, I hope to help my students understand the "why" to becoming lifelong readers. They know they need to read, but I don't think they know "why." 

1. OPEN YOURSELF TO NEW THINGS
I want my students to understand that when you read, you open yourself to new ideas, new knowledge, new ways to solve a problem, and new ways to achieve goals. Who knows? You might find a new hobby. Who knows? You might explore a new topic that sparks a lifelong interest or career. Exploration through reading can lead to life-changing events.


2. IMPROVES COMPREHENSION
The more you read, the more you comprehend. Anything to want to understand to can read about to understand better. (Hi Friend. I wasn't sure what you wanted to write here.) You can read a recipe to cook a meal, read instructions on how to play a game, read the menu before ordering, or read the manual before playing with a new gadget. The possibilities are endless.


3. TOOLS FOR CONNECTING
Communication is the most important tool that can be transferred through reading. Reading is a tool we use daily to connect with others. Reading connects us with the world around us. We read letters, emails, texts, and creative works. It's essential to read to communicate with those around us and those all over the world.

4. BOOST IMAGINATION AND CONFIDENCE
Reading uncovers a world of imagination, showing you nothing is impossible in the world. When reading, you are exploring a different angle to see things you've known only seen one way. Books are beyond imagination. It's like a huge spider web; you keep linking to more and more things you knew and things you learn, creating new ideas and solutions. When we do this, we feel confident and inspired to keep learning. It feels good!!

Positively Teaching,  

Randi Muehlen