What is a good reader/writer?

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I don't believe there is one clear definition or defining characteristic that makes one a good reader or writer. I truly believe reading and writing is domain specific and I may be a fantastic reader/writer in one area but not in another. If I had to define a good reader/writer, I would say it is someone who keeps at it trying to improve, this might mean you slow down, reread, look up words, do it for learning, enjoyment or information.

I would say I am a good reader because I do all of the things I listed above. I also read anything I can get my hands on even if it seems weird, irrelevant or not important to me because I think we should all have a little knowledge about everything. When everyone is sitting around talking about Comic Con (I may not be into it) I want to know what they are talking about.

In order to teach students to become effective readers and writers I think we have to share with them the specific domains, for example if you are a math or science major you must teach them how to read the math and science language. It is frustrating to hear someone say "I teach math, we don't read." You obviously didn't take Dr. Wilson yet. All of us spend our entire college career reading whether we will become reading specialists or P.E. teachers.

As an EC-6th generalist I know to expose students to all kinds of texts and teach them how to read those texts. You read a how to text very differently than you do a history book or a comic. I think we should also help students pin point what it is that THEY think makes them a poor reader (i.e. slow, hung up on words etc) and help them in the areas they realize is a problem. If we can help them improve in those areas then that will be a confidence booster which will do wonders for their all-around learning.

Comments

  1. Alton TondreSeptember 25, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    I agree, it is frustrating to here a math major say, "We don't read." Mathematics is based on language and anyone who takes math classes knows that reading is one of the most important parts of the class. Some classes are dedicated to simply learning how to write mathematics so that it can be read (i.e. proofs, discrete, real variables, logic, etc.). In order to really understand the meaning of any concept in math, it is usually appropriate to go to definitions of your topic, which must be read properly and as they are given in context of the book you are studying. Interpreting language in math is one of the hardest and "scariest" challenges for anyone who doesn't like math. I would be willing to say that people who do study mathematics are rather advanced readers...

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  2. BrandySeptember 25, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    Alton, you might be right about the advance reader in math. In real life we are rarely introduced to a math problem that look similar to what students see in a math book or worksheet. Often times it is word problems that trip them up but students/teachers fail to realize/point out that in real life we ARE doing word problems just orally and visually ie if I need to find the cheapest detergent at target per ounce.

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  3. Kimberly ReyesSeptember 28, 2010 at 12:33 PM

    Reading is in everyday life. Whether it be reading for school, street signs or how much medication to take. Reading sometimes doesn't always come easy to some and as teachers we need to make them want to read, and if teachers are reading all kinds of different material it makes the teacher more knowledgable about every day issues.

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