Ode to My Brother

This post is really about my brother and a comment that made my week.  However, I suppose it needs some background information so I will try and back up.

You should know that I hate homework?  I really can't stand it and really wish students just read for homework.  If you can read, you can do anything...the more you read, the more you know....reading takes you places...My Chickadees all know how important I think reading is.  Reading Logs are helpful for a home-school reading connection.  I love to check in and see what my kiddos are reading at home, often leaving commentary on the page about their books.  I write questions, comments, and suggestions for continued reading.  Last week, I may have put frown-ey faces on incomplete reading logs....and it may have started an  interesting Facebook conversation going about whether a frown-ey face is an appropriate response to unfinished work.  But I must share the best part of the conversation:

After 30 some comments about the frown-ey face/homework/reading/etc.  My brother commented.  He hates reading!  The Hunger Games is possibly the only book he has actually read since 2001 (with the exception of skimming college text books.)  Here is what he posted-

"From the non-reading brother, I never in the 13 years of public education, K-12, was encouraged to read. I was forced to read books that my teachers chose for us in reading groups in 6th grade, and the books where lame. I remember reading two books in elementary school, Moccasin Trail, and some book about the Ferris wheel in London at the worlds fair and two little kids hiding in a museum taking baths in the fountain. Other than those two books. Nothing. If I had had teachers that were focused on reading like Laurie is, I am 100% positive that I would be a much better speller, I would have a larger vocabulary, and I would not struggle with grammar and punctuation. With that said, if a frowny face, (sad face) should up on a paper, I would think that meant the teacher was sad. Not mad, or angry and upset, but SAD. So Laurie, and other teachers, keep on putting frowny faces on incomplete reading logs."

So sweet!  Loved that he remembered details that combined two different books.  One I knew was From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  The other took a bit more searching, but I am fairly certain it is The Great Wheel.  I have never even heard of that book, but now I am going to have to add it to my "to read" list.  Even if you are not an amazing, life long reader....books stick with you.  Thank you to books that stick with readers!  Thank you teachers that get readers hooked! 

In response to the frown-ey face and comments about how tedious it is to feel about filling our a reading log.  I am doing some thinking about what could be done instead of filling out a reading log.  KidBlog is a blogging platform that allows kids to have their own blog while I oversee what they post.  It is possible that posting and commenting about books could replace filling out a reading log....things to think about.

So there you go...a random-rambling post.  Get reading....get books into readers hands....you never know what they will remember!  And they may finally start reading at age 30....

My brother...or Mal, the Space Cowboy:-)

Happy Sunday,