William F. Natale Jr.
I. Read to Children
Reading to children is an essential tool in awakening their interests, Very often, children will want to re-read books that teachers have read to them, the teacher could also read up to a certain point in a book and stop. Then he might ask who would like to read the book. In many cases he will be stampeded by children running up to his desk for the book.
II. Make Good Book Available
A good library corner in the classroom is very Important. It should be made as attractive as possible, (Posters, displays, etc.) There should be books on a variety of subjects. Stories of adventure and fantasy, main elements of the Greek and Roman myths, will be high in interest for middle grade students, I think that it is also important to note that the reading materials are there so that the children may read them, not must read them, “When we say to children you must read this, we may be creating non-readers.”
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III. Introducing Good Books
When a teacher brings new books into the classroom they should not just be put on the back shelf or table, They should be introduced. A few well chosen words can: really get some children excited. For example, “Boys and girls, today I found a pretty interesting book at the library. It’s about a man named Odysseus. A witch changes all of his men into pigs and plans to do the same with him, Can you imagine that? I’ll put it back here on the library shelf in case you are looking for it,” Look out for the stampede!
Another way to introduce books is to illustrate their content with TV, films, recordings or other audio-visual aids. The teacher might show one story of Apollo an.d Phaethon by use of a filmstrip. In it Apollo’s mortal son tricks his father into letting him drive the sun’s chariot for one day, this filmstrip is available from the city’s audio-visual department and will be found in the bibliography. The .day after showing the filmstrip the teacher might bring in the book,
Apollo, the Golden God
, the class will actually fight over the book. Remember to introduce new books to students.
IV. Allow Time For Reading
I think that it is rather obvious that the best equipped, most attractive classroom library is really worthless if the children are never allowed time to read, Many teachers encourage children to read independently when they have finished an assignment or find themselves with free time. This, of course, is good for some, but the slower workers would never have the time to read, They would go from one subject to another never getting the opportunity to visit the library corner. These are probably the very children who most need the chance to kindle an appreciation for reading, I strongly suggest that a free, independent reading period, of twenty to forty minutes, be set aside every day where everyone is free to browse around and to read a book of his or her choice.