Saturday, March 2, 2013

Celebrating Read Across America





By Terry Orr

Prof. A.C. Grayling, in a review of A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel had said, "To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries." So true! Reading is really like taking a flight to great heights in pursuit of knowledge. It's a journey towards enlightenment.


The NEA Read Across America is celebrated on Dr. Seuss birthday.  We at Keeping it Simple believe that reading is so important that are dedicating two articles today on this subject. Reading is the most important life skill - along with writing and speaking.

“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” William Styron, Conversations with William Styron
 

Why Reading is the Most Important Thing You Will Ever Do  
·         Words are our everyday tools. You use words in everything.
·         Vocabulary. Many of today's teenagers think vocabulary isn't important
·         Information. Reading gives you information.
·         Imagination. Reading feeds your imagination.
·         Inspiration

The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one’s encounter with it in a book.  | AndrĂ© Maurois


Importance of reading aloud:
·         Reading aloud helps children acquire early language skills.
·         Reading aloud helps children develop positive associations with books and reading.
·         Reading aloud helps children build a stronger foundation for school success.

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul.” Joyce Carol Oates

Blending in nonfiction reading and discussion with your family each day will help broaden their knowledge.

6 ways to spark your child's nonfiction reading and writing:

·         Pursue the passion: Get books that encourage your child’s interests.
·         More is more: Offer lots of nonfiction reading material – from books and magazines to newspapers and atlases.
·         Be the bookworm: Read a broad range of fiction and nonfiction, and talk about what you read.
·         Reality check: Talk about connections between what your child is reading and events in the news.
·         Reasons to write: Suggest new writing projects — from letters to grandma, to keeping a diary, to penning a play for the neighborhood kids.
·         Get the lowdown: Ask your child's teacher if your child’s reading list includes any nonfiction texts. If not, why not?


“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!


“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Charles William Eliot


“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” Voltaire
 

Read Across America Poem
You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You're never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you've got.

In schools and communities,
Let's gather around,
Let's pick up a book,
Let's pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us on March 2nd
In your own special way
And make this America's Read to Kids Day.

“It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.” C.S. Lewis


References and Links:

[All images from Google]

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