THE APPLE ORCHARD: Teachers explore new methods to encourage reading

Published 6:30 am Sunday, January 22, 2017

Reading matters. We all know it. However, just how much it matters and the impact it has on our children is a topic worthy of discussion.

Countless bodies of research tell of the multitude of educational, neurological, cognitive, psychological and emotional benefits from reading. These benefits resonate throughout life.

Reading is about more than literacy. Reading is an essential part of human development. It impacts communication, relationships and empathy. It empowers students with the ability to harness their ideas and express themselves. It allows them to understand others and the world. Reading unlocks remarkable power.

As a district, ACS is developing this power in students. ACS teachers are continually learning new and better ways to teach and encourage reading. As a result, district reading programs are student-led and customized more than ever before. Particular significance is placed on meeting the readers where they are.

“The emphasis I see increasingly from our teachers comes from the perspective of the student,” said Amy Williams, elementary curriculum coordinator for ACS. “It is concerned with what the student likes to read and who their favorite authors are. I say let’s build children who love to read not just who can read.”

At Athens Intermediate, librarian Dana Pressnell says she wants to talk to students to find out what kinds of things they like.

“It’s much easier to be a reader if it’s something you enjoy doing, so it’s critical that I match the right book to the right reader,” she says.

Williams says teachers across the system are using more multisensory instructional methods across the spectrum. Lessons are intensively geared toward the multisensory approach, and teachers embrace this. All students can benefit from multisensory lessons, although it is particularly helpful for children with learning and attention issues.

Multisensory teaching takes into account that different kids learn different ways. It helps meet the various needs of all students. By providing multiple ways to learn, it inherently gives every student in the class a chance to succeed.

Elementary librarians use reading incentives beginning in kindergarten. They know a strong foundation in literacy is important for future success. Teachers promote reading accomplishments with friendly competitions, games and other literacy based activities throughout the year. Accelerated Readers are acknowledged on Awards Day.

JNES librarian Carla Daws offers two special programs — Newbery and History Hounds. Both encourage fiction and non-fiction reading of award winning literature.

“We have a sign in our library that reads, ‘I can go anywhere with a good book,’” Daws says. “We want our students to truly feel this way.”

AHS librarian Jennifer McCain notes a strong correlation between the amount of time a student spends reading for pleasure and his reading and writing abilities. As a student ages, they tend to read less for variety of reasons. McCain promotes reading by purchasing digital books that are available to students 24/7, and the AHS library is open during the summer months for students.

“I love the fact that our English Department now allows students to have choices about what books they will read for their summer reading assignments,” McCain says. “I have strongly supported having choices for summer reading because I believe it encourages reading and makes it more pleasurable than having to read one particular book. “

McCain encourages reading as much as possible, and says she would tell parents to surround their children with books and encourage reading by modeling it.

“Read every chance you get,” she says. “Read to your children at every opportunity.”

A study featured in Education World says, “The presence of books in the home has a greater influence on a child’s level of education than does the parents income, nationality, or level of education. A 20-year study shows how investing in books can make a big difference. “

We think that’s kind of amazing. We know reading matters, and now you know just how much.

— Hickman is over communications and strategic planning for Athens City Schools. She can be reached at Ginger.Hickman@acs-k12.org.