Killing Reading Summary

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Killing Reading Killing Reading Summary Kelly Gallagher makes a proposal in regards to adding the noun, “readicide” to the Webster dictionary. As a noun, this addition to the dictionary can be defined as the methodical killing of “the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools” (Gallagher, 2009). Several aspects stand out from this book. Firstly, the writer explains the rationale behind this word and he asserts that his experience as a teacher as well as a consultant on literacy spanning more than twenty years inspired this proposal. Secondly, his central thesis is predicated on the need to focus on helping children improve their literacy levels, the vast majority of practices within…show more content…
However, one must appreciate that definitely, they do not offer any assistance in as far as reading is concerned. Nonetheless, I find that his findings centre on the fact that the focus has shifted from high-interest reading and more towards test preparation practices. The conclusion here is that books that arouse the interest of learners are disappearing at an alarming rate at as funds are diverted to programs dubbed the “magic pills” like the No-Child Left Behind policy that achieved nothing owing to poor implementation (Gallagher, 2009). Misplaced priorities contribute further to the killing of reading in that activities like silent reading are being abandoned out of a misplaced notion that they are soft and therefore nonacademic (Gallagher,…show more content…
A multiple-choice test in this respect is indeed a constructive skill but the uncontrolled, all-consuming and overemphasized teaching within the standardized test regime is in itself the problem responsible for murdering reading. This will enable me to address this two ways. Firstly, there is an urgent need to challenge and change the existing curriculum predicated on preparation for multiple-choice tests as this leads to superficial teaching in addition to learning. The tests are administered in spring and therefore deny the learners the opportunity to prepare for one year forcing instructors to cover requisite standards superficially. If adminstred within the propsed time frame, they will allow the learner amle time to read and discover additional knowledge on their own as opposed to only studying for standidized tests that do not improve their thinking and analysis
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