Being the daughter of two English teachers means that most of our dinnertime conversations are about school. Students, lesson plans, complaints about administration, etc. When I told my parents I wanted to be a teacher myself, I started getting all kinds of advice, much of which I nod along to, but know that's not what I want to do. However, there is something my dad said that I agree with. He told me, "Students always complain that they don't like to read, but I tell you, everyone likes to read, it's just a matter of finding what it is you like to read." 

I completely agree with this. I can't even say how many times I've met someone who's reading resume consists of novels or text books they were forced to read in high school, and claims to hate reading. The fact of the matter is, a lot of information we are required to read in school is boring to most students. They key to get students of all ages into reading is to help them find a book or magazine that interests them. 

This is touched on in the book I'm reading: "Do I really Have To Teach Reading?" by Cris Tovani. Tovani works helping teachers develop curriculum that helps students read in a particular content area. She was working in a science classroom, and was using a chapter on viruses as her example for the class. The chapter was dull, and she needed to figure out how to make the students care when she herself didn't. Tovani openly shared her struggle with the students and teachers, and was confronted after her talk by a teacher who was appalled that viruses could be thought boring. In fact, the teacher claimed, there were several interesting articles that talked about amazing information about viruses, even that they could potentially be the source of a   cure for cancer. Tovani replied, "Then why aren't you using those articles with your students?"

Why aren't they? I remember my senior year in high school when my English teacher removed one of the recommended novels and put the latest Cormac McCarthy book on the list instead. It had just come out and we couldn't believe we were allowed to not just read, but study such a modern book. Consequently, our class discussions and papers were much more stimulating, because were were able to follow the growing popularity of the book and relate it to our own lives. Mind you, this was a class of Advanced Placement seniors who were all in the top ten percent and planning on going to college. If we were thrilled to read something that interested us, imagine what would happen to a class of low-income, low reading level students who had no desire to be in school? As an art teacher I can't easily read a science text or history book, unless it's put into an art context. Then I can't get enough.

While teachers need to cultivate an interest in reading in the classroom, it all really starts at home. Parents should help their children like reading by finding them books, magazines, zines, newspapers, even comic books that hold the child's interest, then expand from there.  

Blog What?

Blogging is a term that's thrown around all the time nowadays. It's safe to say though, that I have been largely removed from the whole blogging culture. I've never had a blog, I've hardly read any blogs, and I've never had a desire to start my own. So I'm surprised to find myself excited as I type my first entry. Mostly because I'm not exactly sure in which direction this is going to take me.
One of my good friends started a new blog last year as she entered a turbulent year of her life. She had just quit a stressful and frustrating job, she got married, and not long after became pregnant. She uses her blog as a way of sharing her feelings, new philosophies on life, and relating her experiences to those of others. She is a devoted Catholic, and one of the goals of her blog is discussing how her faith interacts with the rest of her life.
This is what I hope to do with my blog--explore Literacy by making connections to all aspects of my life and to experiences of others.
Blogs can be useful tools in education. A blog is a place where someone can have as much or as little anonymity as they wish. It is a place where every person can have a voice that is heard and viewed as important. Several students, myself being one of them, are more introverted and have trouble speaking out in class. When they can respond online, it removes the "in-front-of-the-class" factor. This can increase confidence and make each student more comfortable with their own opinions. Also, it removes competition. If every student has his or her own place to write their own thoughts, they don't have to compete with others in the class to make sure their voice is heard.
While I'm excited to explore this new way of communicating, I'm nervous. First of all, I'm nervous that what I have to think isn't "good enough" to put in a blog. Who says people will care what I have to think? But this is a petty thought, and I'm sure it will pass with time.
I think length is critical for a blog. People don't want to read a novel, they want to read an interesting thought, be able to respond to it, and move on with their day. At least, i assume that's what people would want since I have little experience with blogs. But based on the blogs I've been browsing, entries would take ten minutes to read at the most.
I'm excited for this experience! I think it will be enlightening and who knows, I might integrate blogging into my future teaching.

Here's my friend's blog! http://catholic-in-the-city.blogspot.com/