At least once a year, I have a discussion with my elementary library classes about the need for reading. I begin by asking them if they want to grow up, have their own homes, and take care of themselves. Without fail, every hand goes up. Then, we make a list of all the grown-up activities that require reading: shopping, following road signs (and therefore driving), paying bills, finding a house or apartment, following directions for medicine, following a recipe, using the computer, etc.  After that, I ask the students to add the times they need reading in everyday and recreational activities: television, movies, comics, board games, baseball cards, menus, video game directions, calendars, posters, cereal boxes, etc. The list quickly fills two or three columns. Reading is something we do all the time, everywhere. It is not simply a skill reserved for books and school. To live successfully in American society, you must be able to read. This is not something we can take for granted. There was a time when illiteracy was not the handicap it is now. For a classroom project, have your students write down each time they read or see a family member reading in a single weekend. Then discuss the lists in class. Maybe a few reluctant readers will find some motivation.

Jacqueline Jules—author, poet, librarian
www.jacquelinejules.com