Welcome to my blog on issues in education and resources available to students studying education at UW Bothell. I hope this blog provides you an opportunity to discuss topics you are studying in classes, experiencing in schools or thinking about professionally. If all goes well, it should also inspire you to explore some of the materials available to you as students at UW Bothell. Since there are two certification programs and an MEd program, I’ll try to keep it relevant to all. However, there will be times when it is more appropriate to students in one of the programs. Still – I hope everyone can participate!
As you get to know me, you’ll realize that one of my passions is children’s literature. I’m sure many of you have fond memories of reading as a child. I was one of those kids who had no problem finding good books to read. Either I was drawn to them or they were drawn to me.
I doubt this is every child’s experience. After reading a novel for a composition class, a first year college student told me that it was the first book he had ever read. Am I surprised? Not really. Should I be shocked? Yes. Someone did not put the right book in this student’s hands during the first 18 years of his life.
As pre- and in-service teachers, you understand the importance of reading, but why not read up on it a little more? The UW Libraries has many books that will provide more insight into this fascinating topic. (Why do some kids read book after book and other kids hate the idea?) In the UW Libraries Catalog, perform a keyword search using the phrase “ children and reading and books.” You can also limit it to the Bothell/CCC Library if you want something right away. Several interesting titles pop up including
- Growing Up with Literature
- Tools for Matching Readers to Text: Research Based Practices
- Teaching Visual Literacy: Using Comic Books, Graphic Novels, Anime, Cartoon, and More to Develop Comprehension and Thinking Skills
I know you are all busy with school work, family and the personal, so remember – you do NOT have to read the entire book. Look through the table of contents and find an interesting chapter or section. Create professional development time where you will dedicate 30 minutes a day to read something in the education field not assigned by an instructor. You choose your professional path and keep walking it. The exercise will be good for you! Really!!
