What
Is Makes A Good Reader?
 |
| By Ryan Franklin from Gilbert, AZ, US of A (Old Les Mis Uploaded by guillom) [CC-BY-2.0 |
I never thought
about what makes us better readers. As
an elementary librarian I teach my students to reread books and stories so they’re
not only familiar with the words but can also comprehend the idea of the story.
After reading, “Good Readers and Good
Writers”, by Vladimir Nabokov, I have a better understanding on what makes us
better readers. A good reader knows how
to use his imagination, has memory and dictionary to understand text, and has
artistic sense. It’s not the repetition
I was teaching the students that made them better readers, but learning new
words and memorizing the story, and children have a natural ability to use
their imagination. I do agree with Nabokov’s definition of a good reader. The children who struggle the most with
reading are the ones that have a hard time picturing purple dragons, or are so
fixated on the here and now they can’t let their minds wonder in a good book.
Norbokov’s points of view of a writer- Storyteller, teacher, and enchanter-is what I believe makes a story or book exceptional. Every year I read my students, “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. The story is one of my favorites and has quickly become a hit in our little school. Children learn to imagine a living tree, complete with feelings and love for the main character. They learn of sacrifice and unconditional love and the happiness when it is returned. The story is clearly written with meanings and enchants every child who lays their eyes upon the pages. The simple black and white drawings ignite with color as the child’s imagination takes over. I have to say that the characteristics of a good reader would have to be imagination, the want to learn new words, and the patience to reread stories to get the full affect and meaning of the story.
I love to read. I reread the stories I love the most. When I read I don’t see words flying by; I see pictures, action, colors and smells. I have feeling; love, hate, fear, desperation, any emotion the author is trying to portray. I look to books like most people look to film. I want the adventure, drama, comedy, the love story. I have trouble at times watching a movie after I read a book; the scenes or characters don’t always match my imagination. Some authors I can’t get past the first chapter because they don’t quench my thirst for a good story. I want to say that I am a good reader. I enjoy reading. I hope one day I will be a good writer as well.
Norbokov’s points of view of a writer- Storyteller, teacher, and enchanter-is what I believe makes a story or book exceptional. Every year I read my students, “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. The story is one of my favorites and has quickly become a hit in our little school. Children learn to imagine a living tree, complete with feelings and love for the main character. They learn of sacrifice and unconditional love and the happiness when it is returned. The story is clearly written with meanings and enchants every child who lays their eyes upon the pages. The simple black and white drawings ignite with color as the child’s imagination takes over. I have to say that the characteristics of a good reader would have to be imagination, the want to learn new words, and the patience to reread stories to get the full affect and meaning of the story.
I love to read. I reread the stories I love the most. When I read I don’t see words flying by; I see pictures, action, colors and smells. I have feeling; love, hate, fear, desperation, any emotion the author is trying to portray. I look to books like most people look to film. I want the adventure, drama, comedy, the love story. I have trouble at times watching a movie after I read a book; the scenes or characters don’t always match my imagination. Some authors I can’t get past the first chapter because they don’t quench my thirst for a good story. I want to say that I am a good reader. I enjoy reading. I hope one day I will be a good writer as well.
I feel exactly the same way about reading books. I think when reading a book, it's more like a film running in my mind. I think your perceptive of what makes a good reader is right on point. Working with kids and seeing a good reader in the making must be a wonderful experience! I myself plan to be an elementary teacher and can't wait to see the process of learning that you've seen. I think that kids are really the best readers when it comes to imagination as long as they're taught and surrounded by a supportive family and amazing teachers/ role models (like yourself).
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting that you are an elementary librarian. That seems like a very fulfilling job! It's refreshing to read an analysis of Nabokov's idea when it's applied to children. You would know better than most how right or wrong he is because you can test his theory on many people. Most of us just take what he said and apply it against our own experience, but you have a much broader perspective. My analysis took a negative tone to his work, but in my last English class I tended to always lean towards the unpopular or unexpected answer to a question. I have a feeling that will continue in this class. I look forward to reading the rest of your blog posts this semester.
ReplyDeleteI also found your take on reading from a perspective as a librarian very interesting. I loved your last paragraph, the way you described your relationship with books was beautiful. I have to say I feel the same way about reading. I constantly find myself getting so immersed in my books that I don't realize hours have gone by. You mentioned that you reread your favorite stories. I was wondering if you see rereading as a necessary part of understanding a story completely, like Narbakov does, or if like me, you only do it as a way to go back into a wonderful story you wish hadn't ended? I'll look forward to the rest of your posts. Good luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteAn elementary school librarian sounds absolutely remarkable and rewarding. I have a huge interest with working with kids of that age group. I used to go to an elementary school and help kids read and the one thing I was told to teach them back then was to make sure that they were using their imagination while reading. Your perspective of reading is extraordinary with all of the senses that you use and the emotions that you experience. My lack of interest in reading disallows me to do the same. You really know how to catch ones attention, as I am a little more interested in reading because of what you feel when you do read with such interest. Because of your interest with reading, you must have joy brought to your ears with the experience that you have with the children's imagination. What an exciting way to go about your day!
ReplyDelete