Should we be focusing more on literacy and reading in schools? Should we be advocating for longer amounts of class time for literacy and reading? Building on what Peach Smith shared with us last week, literacy seems to be declining and “over 40 million American adults are functionally illiterate and are unable to read above a fifth-grade level." Specific reading classes, as I was growing up, were part of the daily classroom schedule only until 6th grade. Should schools be holding specifically designated reading classes in all classes, K-12? Would more time spent on reading be helpful to our students? Thoughts?
I believe that separate and designated reading time at all grade levels is not only important but integral in encouraging students to continue to develop literacy skills. That being said, I believe that a certain level of monitoring is necessary in order for designated reading time to be successful. For example, at a high school reading level, in some cases, a student should not be reading a picture book, due to it being at a lesser reading level. For the idea of reading classes to be successful, they would have to be monitored and engaging.
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