Literacy Speaks Volumes

Sir Francis Bacon wrote, "Reading maketh a full man, conversation a ready man, and writing an exact man." As teachers, we want our students to be full, ready, and exact. But how do we do it without poking our eyeballs out with our red pen? Writing is not like other subjects where there is one correct answer. Writing requires that students look inside themselves for the answer, which most students are reluctant to do. Writing is both abstract and concrete; it is subjective and up to interpretation. So how do we as teachers instill a culture of writing in our classrooms? First, we must be writers ourselves. We need to know what it feels like to "have nothing to say." We should be able to describe our own process of sitting before a blank page and composing essays and stories from words. Students need to understand our passion and true belief that the pen is mightier than the sword. Teachers should regularly share their writing with students. Parents expect the...

Friends and colleagues often ask me, "How do you find time to read?" The answer is simple: I just do. Reading is a part of my everyday life; it is my hobby; it's a habit. I would make time for reading if I had to. There are a few easy rules to follow if you really want to make reading a part of your daily life: Put reading on your daily schedule. I have to get up for work at a certain time. Laundry and housekeeping are a part of my morning routine. I eat lunch at a certain time, and I check my emails and social media sites at a certain time. I read every night before I go to bed. If you want to know where I'll be at 9:00 each night, just know that by then I'm in bed reading. Turn off the television. When people tell me that they don't have time to read, I'll always reply by asking them if they watch television everyday. Sadly, the answer is always "yes". You can give up one hour of television each day and put your nose in a book.  ...