From: Ehuck1624 at aol.com <Ehuck1624>
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 17:51:10 EDT

In a message dated 9/7/00 11:14:43 PM, MalibuInc at aol.com writes:

<< Frankly, by the second and third grade I was reading works like Beowulf and The Lord Of the Rings.

Preston McClear. Wouldn't it be great if all children could actually READ by second and third grade. I think that is highly unusual to have children at such a young age knowing about books such as Beowulf, etc, wanting to read them, and actually having enough background knowledge to make sense of what they are reading. Age appropriatness is important. There are so many wonderful stories that are available to children at their age level that we don't want them to miss those for something that is perhaps beyond them. Those "children's stories" are important for the development of their cultural literacy. While not all are literary masterpieces, they are enjoyable and tell a story that is often remembered. Harry Potter's stories are becoming part of our new cultural literacy that young and old are sharing. Reading is an act of community communication.

Ellen Huck Racine, WI
Received on Sun 10 Sep 2000 04:51:10 PM CDT