Blog 1

Most people wonder what is required in order to have a sufficient classroom or home library...I, however, think it is quite obvious that in order for children to thrive in reading abilities, we must expose them to literature of all kinds and types as much and as often as possible. I think that children should read labels, tags, recipes, books, magazines, newspapers, horoscopes, instructions, road signs, maps, textbooks, packaging of school supplies, internet ads and sites. Basically, anything that has letters and provides meaning, could be used to enrich the literacy environment of a child. I think children also thrive in literacy when they are able to see people surrounding them taking part in reading and being read to. Modeling how and when and why we read is proven to be a factor in how a child views reading and the act of reading. As teachers, we must make absolutely certain that our children see positive role models in us and how we view literature. We should take every chance to point out words to our students and actively sound them out and pronounce them. It's imperative to their learning.