Recent studies have shown that teenagers don't read books like they used to. Specifically, a report by Common Sense Media finds that many students are only reading for pleasure (essentially, meaning reading books that they choose, and that they like) a couple of times a year.
Here's an extra credit opportunity for you:
Read this article from the New York Times Learning Network. Then, use the questions they provided to write a response. Post your response as a comment on the NY Times blog (follow directions, using only your first name). Once it's posted, copy it (including your name and the time it posted) and post it as a comment here on this blog.
In order to get credit, you need to address the questions they pose, and you need to make sure that your response is proofread. You must post your response by 8 PM on Sunday, May 18. Please be thoughtful and honest! (Don't be surprised if you don't see your post right away; I need to moderate them before they get posted.)
Justin May 15, 2014 · 7:37 pm
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I was suprised by the common sense media study, and that only 30 years ago so many more people read for pleasure in the teenage years. The stats today ring true with what I mostly see among my friends but I do also know some that do read in their own time. I also agree with Frank Bruni and his claim that reading gives you a diffrent/more in depth storyline and charcter devolpment. It is also most definitly more stimulating for the brain although im not to sure about heart and spirt aspect of Franks statement.
I think that it was an interesting and valid study and that it definitely does ring true now. I know a lot of people don't read for pleasure anymore and I, as someone who really likes books and reading, feel sad that they don't. I think that for a lot of the kids in my classes, they're busy with other homework (especially with our schedule change this year and how difficult it's been to juggle 7 classes) or sports or other extra curriculars. As for the other kids, I don't think they know that there are books out there that would be of interest to them. Again, I think that (to them) they have better things to do.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with that quote because reading books not only helps us become better speakers and writers, it helps us to think from other points of view and educate us on things we may never have thought of. I think that movies could come close (I might be a little biased as I just watched 12 Years a Slave last night and am still trying to process the whole thing) but in all, reading puts you in the persons head in a different way.
The last book I finished was To Kill A Mockingbird. I am almost always reading something and this year, so far, I have read 10 books (including the ones from class).
Reading has "transported" me a lot of times. For example, I was really stuck on the idea of comparing handwriting from the book Extremely Loud, and Incredibly Close. I had all of my friends and family write me letters like the grandmother in the book had and I keep them all in a folder. The Fault In Our Stars was another book that "transported" me because I had never felt like a book about something I could never imagine was so relatable. I'm lucky enough to be healthy, but yet I felt like Hazel and I had a lot in common besides that.
Some of my favorite books are: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Almost Moon by Alice Sebhold, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children (and the sequel called Hollow City) by Ransom Riggs, Crush by Richard Siken and The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. These are all very different books, but they have left a lasting impression on me.
I agree with Frank Bruni that reading does things to the brain and heart that Movies doesn't do. Specially it helps in learning because reading is the main tool of education. If we didn't knew how to read then we would not be able to write essays or answer the questions. I also think that reading helps English Language Learners in their communicating skills because the more they read the more they can communicate better. However, video game is something we can do in our free time but reading actually helps in gaining knowledge and teaches us about the format the author uses, new vocabulary words and character development in the story. I was shocked by the common media study that 30 years ago teenagers use to read for pleasure but nowadays reading is a "boring thing" for teenagers. It might be because this generation is so exposed to media and social networking. And 30 years ago T.V was black and white and there was no world like "media". I am one of those who does not like reading books outside of English classroom but I do read books in summer for pleasure but reading romance is not my thing. I prefer to read books that has to do with my country or history. I think if we read books that we actually like would give us pleasure then reading books that look good from the title. I would recommend books like I am Malala, Sky is everywhere and room.
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