THE IMPORTANCE OF DAILY READING
Why Can't I Skip My Twenty Minutes of
Reading Tonight?
(shared on 4Blocks mailring by Emmy Ellis; source unknown)
Let's figure it out -- mathematically!
Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;
Student B reads only 4 minutes a night...or not at all!
Step 1: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A reads 20 min. x 5 times a week = 100 mins./week
Student B reads 4 minutes x 5 times a week = 20 minutes
Step 2: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
Step 3: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year
Student A reads 3600 min. in a school year.
Student B reads 720 min. in a school year.
Student A practices reading the equivalent of ten whole school days a year.
Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.
By the end of 6th grade if Student A and Student B maintain
these same reading habits, Student A will have read the equivalent of 60
whole school days Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 school
days.
One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened
considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think
Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?
Some questions to ponder:
Which student would you expect to read better?
Which student would you expect to know more?
Which student would you expect to write better?
Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
Which student would you expect to be more successful?
in school...and in life?
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There are many benefits to reading with your child. The first is the
quality time that you will spend together. In order to make reading a
successful experience for your child, help them find something interesting
to read.
When your child practices their reading aloud, they will be able to follow a
story from beginning to end. Also, they will get used to hearing new
vocabulary words and the more they practice, the more successful they will
become in using correct pronunication.
Try reading to your child! You will be setting an example for them, and
enhancing their love of words. Reading is an essential skill in everyday
life, and you are their most valuable role model.
Turn off the TV for 20 minutes a night and read . . . it's worth it!
