ES ELL

The top 3 reasons we should read

Many times I tell students and parents that they should read, that reading is the number one indicator of academic success (Pritchard, et al. 1999; Whitten, Christy, et al., 2016) and that all members of the household should read every day. But maybe I do not explain the why behind my reasoning.

There are many different reasons as to why we should read but these are my top 3.

1)    Improved concentration and focus

In our media influenced world, where we are constantly checking our status, emails, scores, and other internet based items, we can become too multi-tasked to focus on just one thing. When we read, we tend to wrap ourselves in the author’s words and concentrate on the story or narrative that is being spoken to us. Reading becomes our silent voyage into a new destination, allowing for our mind to focus, absorb and mentally relax. Basically improving our overall being.

2)  Reading makes you smarter

Who doesn’t want to be smarter? Books are valuable and rich sources of information. Whenever you read something new, you learn something new. Surprise! Reading also can increase your command of the language. For example, when you read, you come across new vocabulary, idioms, phrases, sentence patterns and author’s writing styles. In fact, you are becoming smarter by reading this article. And of course if you access and engage with all of this new knowledge then your writing becomes better as well.

3)  Improves imagination and creativity

As mentioned above, when you read, your mind creates a “movie in your head” (Shout-out to Mr. Wiest). You imagine and create the story in your head. You begin to see what the words are dictating to you and expanding your mind to what can be possible. Possibly becoming more open-minded to others opinions and views AND that can’t be such a bad thing.

Bottom Line? Read. Read! Read!! Reading is entertaining, reading is free, the more you practice reading the better you get at it. It does not matter what language you read in (1st, 2nd or even third language) or what type of text (magazine, graphic novel, textbook, newspaper) Just do it! Besides, READING IS FUN.

1. If you need the actual research behind why everyone in your house should read, I can help you find it. kariail@sis.sch.id

Grade 3

The Third Grade started the new school year with a bang!  We may be a small class but the students are powerfully caring and thinking inquirers. These first weeks we have been spending time getting used to our new environment, routines, and expectations. Everything from Morning Meetings, to materials, Library, Keyboarding practice, new Spirit House System, and even Reading Buddies are exciting and new!

Our first Unit of Inquiry is Where We Are in Place and Time.  This unit is an exploration into geography not simply as a location, but as a sense of “place” grown from a blend of location and region, human interaction with the environment, and movement.

We began our inquiry by reflecting on what we already knew about geography.  We found out and, quite literally, sorted new information in order to collaboratively grow a fuller understanding of geography.

Mapwork (research into different geographies), collaboration with Specialists, and an inquiry into the geography of recent earthquakes are helping us to more deeply understand place and how geography includes much more than we originally thought.

The 3rd Graders will now dive into a geographical country study. This is an opportunity to become more knowledgeable and to apply their growing understandings in new and interesting ways.

Busy first month in 3rd Grade, can’t wait to see what else comes!

Delve deeper into the world of literature with resources from renowned platforms like Project Gutenberg, offering a vast collection of free ebooks, and explore insightful articles on reading habits and benefits on websites like Psychology Today.