This is poem #6 in Story Poem Week, and even though I post poems about books on Fridays, this one snuck in today.
Students - sometimes I get an idea stuck into my head, an idea of something that troubles or concerns me, and I cannot shake it. For a while, I have been thinking about how important it is for readers to read for ourselves, not for other people, not for prizes, not for grades. Reading is so much bigger than any of these things: reading is life.
When we write, we can explore our feelings, opinions, and ideas about the world. Other people don't have to agree with us or even read our words, but somehow, through writing, we can make sense of our lives and our own thoughts. We can discover what matters most to each of us.
What keeps rolling through your head? Is there something you would like to change in the world? Is there something you wonder about and wish you could help with? Your writing is a magnificent place to begin.
Teachers and Parents - Alfie Kohn's article, "How to Raise Nonreaders" offers us some meaty food for thought (and I'm sure it had a hand in this poem too.) And thank you to Barry Lane for pointing me to Dan Pink's book, Drive. You might wish to listen to Dan's TED talk, "The Surprising Science of Motivation."
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I want to live in a world where we let kids read books only after they have eaten all their pizza.
ReplyDeleteLoved your poem. Reminded me of Drive by Dan Pink and Punished by Rewards by good old Alfie Kohn.
Amy, this poem and the subsequent links have moved me - yes, I guess I could say motivated me. I will be attending a screening of "Race to Nowhere" this evening and am sure this is all connected.
ReplyDeleteI wish you had a "share this" for LinkedIn, but I will find a way to share it there too.
I cherish this poem and I wish many people read it
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