Reading for Pleasure Puts Kids Ahead in the Classroom

These two kindergarten students are exerting their power of choice to read before the school day begins. My school keeps book boxes outside of each classroom in the mornings for free choice pleasure reading.

This morning one of my #PLN members (personal learning network) sent out this tweet which caught my interest so I clicked on the link and read.

Reading for pleasure puts children ahead in the classroom, study finds http://t.co/pgfHOM3QEH via @zite #mcsdTILT
— Jay Posick (@posickj) September 12, 2013

The data was gleaned from a longitudinal study that began with 6,000 children by the 1970 British Cohort Study and is believed to be the first to examine the effect of reading for pleasure on cognitive development over time. You, of course, have already guess the results. Reading for pleasure aids in academic success in the classroom. The most wonderful thing I took away from this article was that this group of children who read for pleasure and increased their academic success are now older with children or even grandchildren of their own. This means they are influencing a new generation of readers and beyond. In summary, encouraging children to read for pleasure will aid their success in school.

How can we encourage children to read for pleasure? We give them: 

The Power of Choice

Any person with a brain in their head knows that you can't force a person to read and simple love it. The intrinsic value found in reading has to come from within. The connection that a reader finds in a particular character or topic is what will drive their level of passion to read.

Pleasure Reading

I have pushed hard in my school for encouraging the library to become the place where students and their families may select books for the purpose of pleasure reading. A place to find and read high quality fiction for the sake of how a good story makes a person think and feel. A place to find resources and "how to" books to begin learning something new and interesting. A place to discover information about plants, animals, machines, space, and people who have made their mark on the world. A place where the book collection is carefully cultivated to fit the needs of the school's population and manged by a librarian who cares deeply about providing the highest quality resources for school and home use.
A place where kids and families can explore, discover, and revel in literature that expands their hearts and their minds.A place to feel inspired, invigorated, appreciated, and joyful knowing that whatever you choose to read is accepted and respected.

The Power of Choice is my library motto. This video clip of Mel Gibson from Braveheart sums it up well for me. Think of all the people over the course of history who have fought and died simply for our right to embrace the freedom to have access to literature and learning. I, for one, am most grateful.

Freedom

Freedom!



Braveheart
— MOVIECLIPS.com

Here's hoping your day will be lovely and full of new adventures.