CURMUDGUCATION: Why Teach Literature Stuff #7 Everything Is Reading

CURMUDGUCATION: Why Teach Literature Stuff #7 Everything Is Reading

Why Teach Literature Stuff #7 Everything Is Reading

When I was teaching, and I had extra time on my hands, I would reflect on the work--the whys and hows and whats. So in solidarity with my former colleagues, I'm going to write a series about every English teacher's favorite thing-- teaching literature, and why we do it. There will be some number of posts (I don't have a plan here).

Also, it would be nice to write and read about something positive, and I don't know anything much more positive than what teachers do and why they do it.

Well, actually, everything is history. But history is reading, so there you are.

Being able to read, then interpret and understand and make sense from what you've read is the most universally useful skill that exists. Today more than ever, as we have collapsed back to the text-based medium we call the internet. Even reading an image or a video is reading. And writing, which is the only means available (okay, maybe not the only) for reaching out beyond the physical bonds of your own body and somehow connecting with other humans-- writing is also reading.

You interact with other humans, socially or at work, and you have to read them, parse their words, draw conclusions about their character and intent. Reading.

You have to do the same thing with nothing but the written word to go on. You're on social media or email or even, God bless you, opening an envelope and lifting out a piece of paper with marks on it, CONTINUE READING: CURMUDGUCATION: Why Teach Literature Stuff #7 Everything Is Reading

CURMUDGUCATION: Why Teach Literature Stuff: #6 Not For These Reasons - http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2020/04/why-teach-literature-stuff-6-not-for.html