Reading Minds
This is a time for reading—the moment calls for it. This is not an opportunity to read, for no such circumstance as this could truly be considered opportune. Reading now is an activity mandated by necessity—the need to obtain information. Sure, one can turn on the television or check video on news media websites, but that requires more screen time; the need to understand the information obtained, and the need to build and expand the capacity to use one’s mind well. Strong mind, strong body.
There are many ways that reading can be engaged: one can read silently; read aloud; read to another; be read to; read deeply, and read broadly. All of these reading methods can work wonders now.
Reading can help to meet learning objectives and knowledge building for all ages. Therefore, spending time reading now makes a good deal of sense from our youngest children to our most senior of citizens. Reading can even provide some solace during self-quarantine and social distancing. It can be palliative as well, as a good story, whether fact or fiction, can take us far away from present circumstances even while we sit in our favorite chair.
In addition to gaining enjoyment from reading, younger readers can also practice skill and reasoning development for decoding, comprehension, vocabulary building, sound and sense in language, spelling, and even memory, listening skills, and curiosity, to name a few. Older children and teen readers can gain insight and knowledge from reading, develop comprehension and vocabulary, experience different writers’ voices, practice inference, and recognize and appreciate the art of storytelling, of explaining simple and complex processes, and of providing clear information.
If there’s no pile of books next to the bed or in the den at home, and if a screen is the only place to find such a pile, here are a few online resources for free books:
Project Gutenberg
Apple Books
Google Books
Your Local Library (many offer e-books available on loan just like print copies)
For younger readers try:
Oxford Owl
International Children’s Digital Library
After the online reading energy is exhausted each day during this period of remote learning and teaching, the pile beside the bed awaits like a cool drink at the end of the day. Time to learn about…(currently reading On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis and Learning in the Fast Lane by Chester Finn, Jr. and Andrew Scanlan)
There are many ways that reading can be engaged: one can read silently; read aloud; read to another; be read to; read deeply, and read broadly. All of these reading methods can work wonders now.
Reading can help to meet learning objectives and knowledge building for all ages. Therefore, spending time reading now makes a good deal of sense from our youngest children to our most senior of citizens. Reading can even provide some solace during self-quarantine and social distancing. It can be palliative as well, as a good story, whether fact or fiction, can take us far away from present circumstances even while we sit in our favorite chair.
In addition to gaining enjoyment from reading, younger readers can also practice skill and reasoning development for decoding, comprehension, vocabulary building, sound and sense in language, spelling, and even memory, listening skills, and curiosity, to name a few. Older children and teen readers can gain insight and knowledge from reading, develop comprehension and vocabulary, experience different writers’ voices, practice inference, and recognize and appreciate the art of storytelling, of explaining simple and complex processes, and of providing clear information.
If there’s no pile of books next to the bed or in the den at home, and if a screen is the only place to find such a pile, here are a few online resources for free books:
Project Gutenberg
Apple Books
Google Books
Your Local Library (many offer e-books available on loan just like print copies)
For younger readers try:
Oxford Owl
International Children’s Digital Library
After the online reading energy is exhausted each day during this period of remote learning and teaching, the pile beside the bed awaits like a cool drink at the end of the day. Time to learn about…(currently reading On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis and Learning in the Fast Lane by Chester Finn, Jr. and Andrew Scanlan)
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.