From: Georgia Beaverson <greenlinnet>
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 21:19:48 -0500

June, I'm so impressed with the reading atmosphere in your school! My husband and I strove to create a similar "book?ntered" atmosphere in our home, especially when our kids were small. We began reading to them before they were a month old, using vocal expression and holding their hands to actually touch the words on the page or imitate the action of the words as we read them. We played letter games with them. The library was our favorite destination, we got them library cards as soon as the library allowed, and they knew the librarians by name--and how to ask them for help. We kept books readily available in low bookcases and baskets for easy access. We used reading as bedtime incentive (they got to stay up an extra half-hour if they chose to read in bed). We also taught our children to read before they ever went to school. Today, both our teens are avid readers, and one of them writes, too. It was just about the best thing we ever did for them!

I'm a writer (I wrote the middle-grade fantasy "The Hidden Arrow of Maether", Delacorte) and am familiar with AR (I've actually freelanced for the company as I live in Madison where it has a large office). I've often wondered if the program actually worked in motivating kids to read on a long-term basis. To me, it makes better sense to "school" kids in reading by creating regular time for them to do it. It's a skill one improves by practice. Having free time set aside during the school day to read whatever book they choose strikes the right note and sends the message that not only is reading fun, but it's valuable enough to warrant protected time during the school day.

Good luck with your bookish school!
-Aiden Beaverson Madison, WI
Received on Sun 17 Oct 2004 09:19:48 PM CDT