Readicide

Kids are not reading. Grownups are not reading. And yet, more than ever, we need people who can read and think critically.

What are we as educators doing wrong?

Gallagher tells us that students are not reading enough at home and school and that we are overteaching reading. He quotes author Jon Scieszka about the reader's death spiral: “It's where kids aren't reading and then are worse at reading because they aren't reading, and then they read less because it is hard and they get worse, and then they see themselves as non-readers.”

Gallagher proposes ideas for teachers to put into practice to encourage reading, including providing interesting books, providing time to read in school, and providing a place to read in school.

I hope teachers and administrators are listening.