When I had to read for school, I hated it. Now I enjoy reading.
One big difference is that I get to chose what I read; mostly history. Another big difference is that I do not have deadlines so I can take my time and enjoy it.
Where I grew up we never had a summer reading list.I love reading but I seldom enjoyed the books we had to read for school.Lord of the Flies, Catcher in the Rye, Native Son – hated them.For some reason sci-fi / fantasy is largely not considered to be educational.Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Dragonriders of Pern, Sword of Shannara – loved them.
I used to LOATHE summer reading. Not because I hated reading-far from it. I would have typically chosen a bunch on my own to read over the summer-only to come in on the last day of English class and have my kindly teacher give me a list of ones that I HAD to choose from.
I would typically skim the minimum required (maybe sneak a look at the Cliff Notes versions), write my contractually obligated review(s), then go back to the stuff I REALLY wanted to read.
You see, the philistines in my classes ruined it for us who were independent and ALREADY active readers, who needed zero encouragement on the matter.
Learned to read at 3-1/2. First book, Tom Sawyer. Didn’t read “children’s books” until my own kids came along. Both my kids read very early, again starting with ’children’s classics’, not picture books. As a child, I had a huge home library of children’s classics, over 500 volumes. Had read them all by the time I started school at age 5. In 2nd grade, I received a reading certificate for 527 books read and reported.
In 1st grade, I was allowed the run of the school classroom libraries. Read all the books (about 100 each) in every grade – 3d and up, 3 classrooms per grade. In 2nd grade, I was given the run of the high school library. In 3d grade, my teacher got me a card at the public library library. I was allowed to read almost all day at my desk, because I already had read and memorized the material in my textbooks by the 2nd day of school each year.
4th through 6th grades, I did the same. Then in 7th grade I hit the brick wall. My state’s schools were going through the transition, from teachers assessing each of their students according to ability and achievement and then teaching them according to their individual needs, to teaching according to a state-mandated one-size-fits-all formulaic factory format.
I wasn’t allowed to read in class any more. I had to do ALL the work, even though I already had mastered it and could draw straight ’A’s on all tests. Stupid system, and it squashes kids’ initiative.
I learned to love reading from an early age. Mom says my brother introduced me to the love of books. She said she would look out the window and instead of playing, I would be reading a book. I remember reading all the required books in school…still have them all. Have read Tale of to Cities (not required), Animal Farm, Lord Of The Flies, To Kill A Mockingbird, Farenheit 451, Scarlet Letter and more. Favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird, least favorite was Scarlet Letter (couldn’t relate). Years later I ended up managing a book store for several years. Currently rereading Wicked. Books are free vacations to other lands, times and adventures.
Never had summer reading lists back when I was a kid. I liked reading and without all the modern computers, games and smart phones, reading was a great way to spend a rainy summer day.
When my teachers handed out summer book lists, they were not ‘required reading.’ The wide variety of suggested reading material was intended to help us maintain our reading skills over the summer.
David_the_CAD almost 2 years ago
When I had to read for school, I hated it. Now I enjoy reading.
One big difference is that I get to chose what I read; mostly history. Another big difference is that I do not have deadlines so I can take my time and enjoy it.
Also no book reports are required.
cdillon85 almost 2 years ago
I never had a reading list. They did not do that in the Southwest Suburban school districts of Chicago.
Selune136413 almost 2 years ago
Finally – a way to get rid of Clem! :P
Anon4242 almost 2 years ago
Where I grew up we never had a summer reading list.I love reading but I seldom enjoyed the books we had to read for school.Lord of the Flies, Catcher in the Rye, Native Son – hated them.For some reason sci-fi / fantasy is largely not considered to be educational.Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Dragonriders of Pern, Sword of Shannara – loved them.
xSigoff Premium Member almost 2 years ago
This is the ONE time I can identify with Clem.
johndifool almost 2 years ago
I used to LOATHE summer reading. Not because I hated reading-far from it. I would have typically chosen a bunch on my own to read over the summer-only to come in on the last day of English class and have my kindly teacher give me a list of ones that I HAD to choose from.
I would typically skim the minimum required (maybe sneak a look at the Cliff Notes versions), write my contractually obligated review(s), then go back to the stuff I REALLY wanted to read.
You see, the philistines in my classes ruined it for us who were independent and ALREADY active readers, who needed zero encouragement on the matter.
sheashea almost 2 years ago
Does anybody know how old these kids are? They look about 3 or 4 but if they’re talking homework…..
SrTechWriter almost 2 years ago
Learned to read at 3-1/2. First book, Tom Sawyer. Didn’t read “children’s books” until my own kids came along. Both my kids read very early, again starting with ’children’s classics’, not picture books. As a child, I had a huge home library of children’s classics, over 500 volumes. Had read them all by the time I started school at age 5. In 2nd grade, I received a reading certificate for 527 books read and reported.
In 1st grade, I was allowed the run of the school classroom libraries. Read all the books (about 100 each) in every grade – 3d and up, 3 classrooms per grade. In 2nd grade, I was given the run of the high school library. In 3d grade, my teacher got me a card at the public library library. I was allowed to read almost all day at my desk, because I already had read and memorized the material in my textbooks by the 2nd day of school each year.
4th through 6th grades, I did the same. Then in 7th grade I hit the brick wall. My state’s schools were going through the transition, from teachers assessing each of their students according to ability and achievement and then teaching them according to their individual needs, to teaching according to a state-mandated one-size-fits-all formulaic factory format.
I wasn’t allowed to read in class any more. I had to do ALL the work, even though I already had mastered it and could draw straight ’A’s on all tests. Stupid system, and it squashes kids’ initiative.
vacman almost 2 years ago
I learned to love reading from an early age. Mom says my brother introduced me to the love of books. She said she would look out the window and instead of playing, I would be reading a book. I remember reading all the required books in school…still have them all. Have read Tale of to Cities (not required), Animal Farm, Lord Of The Flies, To Kill A Mockingbird, Farenheit 451, Scarlet Letter and more. Favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird, least favorite was Scarlet Letter (couldn’t relate). Years later I ended up managing a book store for several years. Currently rereading Wicked. Books are free vacations to other lands, times and adventures.
raybarb44 almost 2 years ago
Yeah, that’s it…
Maswartz almost 2 years ago
Someone needs to teach this kid to read social cues. If people are running away from you screaming “No” they’re not going to the library.
GiantShetlandPony almost 2 years ago
Never had summer reading lists back when I was a kid. I liked reading and without all the modern computers, games and smart phones, reading was a great way to spend a rainy summer day.
norphos almost 2 years ago
Pasquale Gumbo being an education enthusiast does make him a bit of a pariah amongst his peers at times.
asrialfeeple almost 2 years ago
Happy Pentecost! Jesus isn’t dead. He’s just given up the ghost.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 2 years ago
We did not have a summer reading list, not that I would’ve done anyway.
l3i7l almost 2 years ago
When my teachers handed out summer book lists, they were not ‘required reading.’ The wide variety of suggested reading material was intended to help us maintain our reading skills over the summer.
bakana almost 2 years ago
They suddenly realized they were in the presence of a case of the Enjoying School Virus.
They are very worried that it could be Contagious.