Love of reading, especially great literature, contributes significantly to a student's overall ac...
Credit: Dr. Marcus Gossler | ©Wikimedia Commons
Reading to Students Allows for an Exposure to Works Otherwise Beyond Their Reach
When I discuss my early school experiences with my mother, she tells me I went to what could very well be the best school in Canada. I honestly don't know if this is so, but from the experiences I had with three other schools in a very short time after we moved away from that school, I know there was a marked difference between my first school, with its innovations and consistent standards from one teacher to the next, and many other schools in the country. Speaking to many others about their primary school experiences confirms that I had a unique experience, and I feel very fortunate to have started out in such a wonderful learning environment.I received excellent language arts instruction, right from the beginning. In the very earliest primary grades we learned phonics, grammar and mechanics. We had daily penmanship exercises, which were reinforced with a great deal of copying from the board. We had a strong and consistent spelling program. We took what today is often referred to as word study, where we learned the Latin and Greek roots of common words, along with the meanings of prefixes and suffixes. Essentially, we were given the building blocks to construct and deconstruct words, giving us a very strong grasp of vocabulary. We were required to read silently and aloud daily.
Only the literature was missing.
Focus on Phonics
Learning to read from a Dick and Jane book has often been criticized. The limited vocabulary results in a lack of depth and the stories use stilted, unnatural language. Thankfully, I was able to move through that phase of reading instruction very quickly and went on to much more interesting stories with a greater range of vocabulary. In class we were assigned short stories and book excerpts from our readers, and teachers steered us from picture books towards simple novels when we visited the library. I became an avid reader at a very early age, something I know improved my overall learning abilities and gave me an advantage for many years in school.
Late Exposure to Classic Literature Equates to Less Time to Appreciate Its Merits
But I was a reader who did not know the classics.
- Toward a Definition of a Living Book amblesideonline.org/LivingBks.shtml
- An Old Fashioned Education oldfashionededucation.com/
- Children's Bookshelf @Gutenberg www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Category:Children%27s_Bookshelf
Comments
Nicely Written :)
A lot of American home schoolers use the McGuffey Readers, I'm surprised you don't menyion them. Anyway, this is a really good article on the subject.
Much agreed, Vincent! It is most definitely the primary responsibility of the parent under Quebec law. I honestly don't think I'd even begin to be able to tackle the job if I weren't homeschooling, though.
If you are like me, you knew the end had come when kids were no longer required to learn cursive writing. As for classics and good literature - yes, it should be the core of learning. And, yes, it is fast-disappearing. Instead of Narnia slop, or Indian in the Cupboard, they should press for more substantial reading. But there is another side to this coin. Teaching the children - whether Caesar steps in or no - is the responsibility of the parents. It is up to them to at least make sure the weak areas are shored up. So it falls back on us, whether we homeschool or no.
Joseph
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/07/2009
Excellent article. Litteracy has been put on the back burners for years. We probably have the most illeterate generation of all times. This is not only a good place to start what teaching should be all about but it an excellent beginning.
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