Readicide

I believe readicide is a big problem in schools today. Students are forced to read books they do not want to read and they are being forced to over analyze every little thing about books. I already hate it when a teacher hands me a book that I have no interest in, so what makes it worse it that I have to take notes and do so many analysis’ and projects on the book. Forcing students to read a book isn’t going to make them like it. So yes, I believe it’s causing students to hate reading all together and causing readicide to occur everywhere.

Like Gallagher suggested, swapping some of the more classical and literary books out for popular books could spark some interest in students reading again. If students had the opportunity to read books they actually like in school, they wouldn’t hate it as much. A valid argument is that students should read the books they want to read outside to school. However, to be honest, it’s not that easy now a day. Students are put under so much stress already with homework, sports, and part-time jobs that sometimes we don’t have the time to just pick up a book and read for fun. I personally love reading so it’s sad when the only time I have to read is in English class. So if students were able to read what they want in class I think it would show a huge difference in the amount of students actually interested in doing the reading for class. Who knows, people who hated reading before, could start to love it.

I hear students always ask the question, “Why should we have to read anyway?” This question breaks my heart. Reading is such an important part of learning and becoming well educated.  Reading helps expand our imagination and helps widen our vocabulary. I believe if we want students to become more intelligent, we should get them to read more. Not just the literary “smart people books” but all kinds of books, like different genres and reading levels. If a more broad choice of books could be chosen in classes, students would read more and therefore become better students in the end. Reading is one of the most important things in a student’s life and right now, the way reading is taught is slowly killing the interest students have in reading.