“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free,” Frederick Douglas once said. This famous quote by Douglas represents how reading can make someone feel free and forget about everything else that is happening in the world.
Reading is a very important skill to have, especially for children and young adults. Reading is recommended by many doctors, counselors, psychologists, and teachers as a way to release stress and emotions. Reading outside of classrooms and school can benefit the child’s mind in so many ways.
The importance of reading can be a controversial topic. A common misconception about reading is that it can be unimportant or that it has no benefits. “For me, the point of reading is to find a good story that you might resonate with. I personally love when a book can make me think or see things differently,” BBHHS senior Marlo Hankins explains.
Reading is a commonly used activity in the classroom, teachers enjoy using reading because the concept of it goes way beyond the book. It can be an escape mechanism or a way to detach from reality. Vice principal Kelli Izzo says, “It builds empathy. When you regularly read stories about people whose lives look different from yours, you become more open-minded and more aware. That’s a skill that matters in school, in careers, and in your everyday life.” Reading can not only be a fun activity, but it can help someone be more aware of what is happening around them.
On the other hand, many parents and teachers worry about what their children are reading and if it’s appropriate for their age. When asked if the book should be something the student enjoys even if it’s not labeled as school appropriate, freshman Grace Vorous says, “This is one of the most heated debates in education today because it pits two very important goals against each other: The responsibility of a school to provide a safe environment and the need to interest students. There isn’t a right answer, but the debate usually breaks down to if you’re reading something you enjoy to just leave it at home if it’s something that is not school appropriate.”
Many students strongly feel that they should be able to pick their own book, rather it be one that’s assigned to them. Allowing students to pick their own reads can boost their motivation to actually read the book and keep them engaged. Author Timothy Shanahan for Reading Rockets says, “They identified 22 relevant experimental studies which offered up 46 effect sizes on student choice and its impact on reading. Based on this analysis they concluded that when kids are allowed to choose what they want to read there are big boosts to reading motivation and achievement.”
Studies have proven that if students get the option to pick their own read then it will boost their confidence and will achieve higher achievements and accomplishment when reading their book.
Throughout the school year and many more in the near future, many schools and English departments question if reading outside the classroom should be required. Ultimately, the choice is up to the students. Even if it’s required, who says that they’ll even read the book? Many students will admit to putting it off and fit it all into the night before it’s supposed to be finished! Let’s promote reading, but not try to force feed it.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.” – George R. R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones.
